The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-01-25
PARDONED.

Then he rose and slowly paced the
room, occasionally stopping, apparently
to listen to some real or imaginary noise
in another part of the house.
He felt that his work had overtaxed
him, and nervous feeling came over
him, due partly to physical exhaustion
and partly to his sense of utter lone1i-
ness.
ST wish that I had told John to sit
up" he said to himself, "but he is like
all the other servants, too sleepy head
ed to be of any use."
He resumed his chair and took up his
pen.
What was that in the hall? Was it a
footstep?
Nearer and nearer came the stealthy,
shuff1ing steps.
The governor could no longer doubt
the testimony of his own ears, but a
strange numbness seized him, and he
felt unable to rise from his chair
In another moment it was too late
The door opened softly, and man
walked ina big, stout fellow, roughly
clad, with hard, wicked face and bold,
daring eyes.
The intruder quietly locked the door
and took chair on the side Of the table
opposite the governor.
keep your seat, governor, he said,
with peculiar leer. my business
won't take long. Ten minutes will be
enough"
"Who are you, gasped the governor,
land how did you get in?''
''Red Rube is what they call me, "
was the reply, "and walked in at the
back door. I knocked your niger down
and gagged him and took the key away
two hours ago, when he left the house,
and then I waited until everything was
quiet. Any more questions?"
The governors s face turned pale Red
Rube was one of the worst desperadoes
that have been sent to the penitentiary in
many years, and his midnight visit GER
tainly meant robbery and perhaps MUIR
der.
$50 you have escaped from prison, :"
said the governor.
eyes; l skipped out last night Then
came to town, called on friend and
got some clothes and these"
AS he said this he exhibited large
bowie knife and pistol
''You see. am we'll fixed, and mean
business" laughed the ruffian.
''But what do you want, and why
are you here?" asked the other.
"Well, governor, to make long story
short, l want you to write me pardon
and let me have enough money to pay
my way out west. :"
Itwas an outrageous request. Should
the ruler of great state allow himself
to be bulldozed into pardoning MUIR
derer and supplying him with funds?
And yet what was to be done? 1t was
impossible to raise an alarm that would
be heard If the intruder s demand was
refused, the governor would be dead
man, and the convict would rob his per-
son and make his escape.
The heroic thing would be to resist to
the end, but the governor thought of
his young wife, and he felt that he
must save his life at any cost. 1t was
out of the question for an unarmed man
in delicate health to struggle with q
giant like Red Rube, who could finish
him with his knife in a second.
81 won't be hard on you," said Red
Rube, "but 1 must have the pardon,
and must have at least $780,"
81 will summon help" said the gov
ernor.
Excuse me, but you can't" replied
Red Rube. 1.-THE servants and the
neighbors can't hear you, and if you
raise your voice or try to ring bell,
why, I'll have to use this" and he
pointed to his knife.
The helpless man ON the other side Of
the table could not repress a slight
shudder, but he made an effort to appea,
calm.
"You are drunk or crazy" he said
sternly, ''but will give you one chance.
Leave the house, and will say nothing
about your visit"
Red Rube laughed heartily.
"You don't size up the situation, " he
said. 81 have got to make this deal OF
go back to prison, anu will die before
l will go back. Now, if l kill you and
they capture me. they win not bang
me.'' " "
u would like to know why" said
the astonished governor.
because they have sent me to the
insane ward," was the answer, land
they were getting ready to put me in
the asylum. am no longer a criminal,
but bowling lunatic, don't you seei
Well. if they try me for killing you,
all they will do will be to send me tc
the insane asylum.'i IA !.
81 The governor sank back in his chair,
and Rube grinned. l. i. =. - q q: i,
81" You see. said Rube, II was once
acquitted Of murder ia Texas on the
SEdund OF insanity and was locked up q
year in an asylum. but I got out, and