The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-01-30
PARD0NED.

friends in the country, and the serv-
ants were all asleep in their quarters IN
a separate building.
The governors pen moved rapidly
over sheet after sheet Of paper.
Finally the writer paused and for
monel.t was absorbed IN profound
thought
Then he rose and slowly paced the
room, occasionally stopping, apparently
10 listen to some real or imaginary noise
in another part CT the house
he felt that his work had overtaxed
him. and a nervous feeling came over
him. due partly to physical exhaustion
and partly 10 his sense Of utter loneli-
ness
4 wish that ] had told John to sit
up, - he said 10 himself, but he * Ike
all the other servants. too sleepy head
od to be Of amy use. -
He resumed his chair and took up his
pen.
What was that in the hall: Was it
footstep:
Nearer and nearer came the stealthy,
shutting steps.
The governor could no longer doubt
the testimony Of his own ears, but
strange nunbness seized him, and he
felt unable to rise from his chair.
In another moment il was too late
The door opened softly, and a man
walked in-a big, stout fellow, roughly
clad with hard, wicked face and bold,
daring eyes.
The intruder quietly locked the door
and took chair on the sideof the table
opposite the governor.
Keep your seat governor, " he said,
with a peculiar leer My business
won't take long. Ten minutes Will be
enough f"
WHO are YOU, a" easped the governor,
"and how did you get in:''
Red Bube is what they call me, ="
was the reply, land walked in at the
hack door ] Knocked your nigger down
and gagged him and took the key away
two hours ago, when he left the house,
and then waited until everything was
quiet Any more queStions:
The governor face turned pale. Red
Rube was one Of the worst desperadoos
that have been sent TO the penitentiary in
many years, and his midnight visit GER
tainiy meant robbery and perhaps muir
der
80 yoG have escaped from prison, !"
said the governor.
Yes; l skipped out last night Then
/ came to town, called on frie;.d and
got some clothes and these -
As he said this he exhibited large
bowie knife and pistol.
'You sec, am well fixed, and mean
bnsiness, " laughed the ruffian.
But what do you want, and why
are you herc:" asked the other.
"Wen. governor, tomake a long story
short, ] want you 10 write me a pardon
ard let re have enough money 10 pay
my way ont west.
ItDas an outrageous request Should
the ruler Of great state allow himself
TO be bulldOzed into pardoning a lnur-
derer and supplying him with funds:
And yet what was to be done: Il was
impossible 10 raise an alarm that would
be heard If the intruder 5 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 he toresist to
the end, but the governor Thought Of
his young wife, and he felt that he
EIust save his life at any cost 1t was
out Of the question for an unarmed man
IN delicate health 10 struggle with a
giant ike Red Rnbe, who could finish
him with his knife il q second
Il won't be hard on you, said Red
Rube, but ] must have the pardon.
and must have at least 500. 8"
Il viii summon help, said the gov
ernor
Excuse me, but yen can't, " replied
Red Rube THE servants and the
neighboTs can't hear you, and if you
raise your voice or try 10 ring a bell,
why, III have TO nse this" and he
pointed to his knife.
The helpless man ON the other side OF
the table could rot repress a slight
shGdder, but he made an effort to appear
calm.
You are drunk or crazy he said
sternly, ''but Will give you one chance.
Leave the house, and l Will say nothing
aboEt your visit +"
Red Rube laughed heartily.
You don't size up the situation, - he
sad Il have got TO make this deaf OF
90 back to prison. and / Will die before
viii go back. Now, if / kill you and
they capture me. they viii not hang
me- -
81 would like to know why said
the astonished governor.
because they have sent me to the
insane ward, F" was the answer, land
they were getting ready 10 pat me in
the asylum. ] am no longer a criminal,
bot a bowling lunatic, don't you see:
Well. # they Try me for killing you.
al they viii do VIII be to send me to
the insane asylum"
The governor sank back in his chair,
slld Rube grinBed
You see, said Rube, Il was once
acquitted of murder in Texas on the
Sround q insanity and was locked up
year in an asylum, but / got out. ard
.rvrv am. & can prove that insanity
runs in my family Ny father and two
Of my brothers have been crazy for
years When I am disappointed in any
thing, my fit comes on. and try to kill
everything in sight.
He hooked like madman, with his
elaring eyes and ubkempt hair.
There Is no glory in being killed bT
iunatic, +" thought the governor.
But he tried one more appeal
Il am sorry for you" be said. ''if
yUzr mind is disordered. Here is a $40
bill Take it and 90. Follow the eouR-
Try roads and get ont Of the state and
try 10 lead a better life p"
"Thanks!" sneered the robber.
Then, firmly grasping his knife, ne
walked to the governor S chair.
Time flies, - he growled- Fix that
pardon. and fix il id quiek. and hand
ne that SIOOr'
His look was that Of wild beast, aaG
a white frorh stood on his lips.
The man in the chair looked up into
the piaiess face above him Red Rube
came closer with his big knife
YES or nO--say it quick.' he NUT
tered.
al right was sbe hasty reply
Here's the money. and now I'll fix the
perdoa -
He opened : drawer in his desk ass
took ont printed form partially fillea
ont
Il was going 20 visit the penitentiary