Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-06-06
AT MY OWN HANGING.

the solemn words Of the Judge sentencing
me to be hanged by the neck until dead,
since the hush fell over the crowded, sitting
courtroom, aud l had seen the worn de
jeeted expression ca the pale face Of my
counsel as with bowed head he bent over
the table strewn With the records of the evi.
dence and legal authorities pat forward in
NY defense,
1t was evening, the dim jets We're being
lit by he turkeys, aud As l paced my cell
heard voice calling to my night watch.
He rose from his chair leaned over the rail
ing, received the message and, turning,
opened IL CT 3aar al l--'-...-l ne -
come out.
Portable quarters, he said gently, sad
expression in his eyes,
accompanied him down the Jail corridor
to the lower floor.
Back of the jail clerk Office was a good
sized room. a bed stood in one corner
There were also table and some chairs. Al!
looked bright and neat and clean. threw
myself, in my clothes, on the bed flung
my hands behind my head and thought
thought of my old home across the ocean.
VI III SNAbClP'A anu SAk4A4tAtN = u Lie
ambitious spirit and wild desire for adveA-
ture HAT had brought ne to America, Of
my cbeckercd career since then, Of meeting
her for whose lie | WAS about to pay the
penalty with my own. The hours dragged
along. My watch had urged me to take
supper, but l had declined The choicest
dist leiJ sure would have chohed me
4 knock came to the door. My guard
-, /
AID handed ue card with the ua.ae = "a
vel known clergyman thereon. l reese l.
my feet and took a chair beside the table
The good man entered. Tears We're in
his eyes. His hand WAS out-tretched. Irose
and grasped it.
ALLOW me, he said, ITO pray with yeu
You have refused all spiritual consolation.
You viii not be so obdurate DOW when you
must soon stand before him who w.ileth
not the death Of the sinner"
l waved my hand negatively as replied:
Il appreciate your sympathy and therefore
acceded to your request to see me; but, as
for prayer, will 60 into eternity with
nothing to fear and nothing to hope"
His countenance fell, and he looked long
and earnestly at me.
Let me at least read a chapter of God )
word to you?' he asked.
Il am content, answered, with a weary
sigh.
He read the third chapter of St. Johns
gospel, the story of Christ and Nicodemus
How often had heard my fatherread it at
family prayer Ia the old country! l closed
my eyes and could fancy that l saw again
my mother and brothers around the table,
listening attentively to the old familiar
lines.
When he had finished, he again sought to
urge me to prayer and it was only after |
had cordially thanked him for his kindness
and earnestly requested him to spare his
exertions that he at length departed and
again laid me down. The night passed
drearily on, my guard doing from time to
time in his chair. Once or twice l also fell
into troubled slumber at one time dream
ing that l was galloping over the green
fields at bone with my favorite hunter
with the pack OF foxhounds in full cry
Suddenly, rs | was about to clear a double
ditch, the form of my darling, in her blood
stained uightrobe and with her hand up
lifted, rose from behind the bank, and my
horse, rising on his launches in terror, fell
over on me and lawoke. Again dreamed
that stood upon the scafold, and as the
drop was about TO fall an angel with my
darling's face noated in through the win
dow with Il scroll on which was written the
word Innocent"
At clock | rose, and my guard secured
for me the best suit of clothing possessed.
| felt easier and tirmer, now that my final
hour was nigh. | was impatient for the
attendance of the prison barber, who had
not yeS arrived, and at my urgent request
he was sent for an hour before his habitual
time When he had performed his Office,
looked at myself in the little mirror and
felt strange satisfaction at my appear
ance, like to that one feels when he is
about to start for church or a theatev and
knows that he is we'll groomed.
sat down to wait. Then my new found
strength seemed to yield, and my hands
trembled involuntarily. ordered a hearty
break fast. / determined not to become un-
nerved. By mental force | compelled my
self to partake of it freely and drank sew
eral cups of tea that had purposely or
dered to be made as strong as possible. My
guard suggested that he bring some brandy,
the prison rules allowing it to men situated
as | now was. | declined the offer, but ac-
cepted a cigar
heard heavy football in the corridor
without. Ny guard listened attentiyely
and looked at his watch. The steps, which
were followed by shuf1iing feet, passed my
door, and heard the key CRATE in the lock
of the gate entering the women depart
ment. 1t was but ''oue more unfortunate
In the iron clutch Of the law.
sat on smoking and listening. Yes, it
was coming now. | heard several people
approaching and speaking in hushed tones.
Ny guard opened the door. The tall form
of the sheriff stood on the threshold. His
face was colorless and more the expression
of one who gazes on the face of the dead.
He did not speak. He seemed to take it
for granted that l knew his mission too
well. The head jailer and two tarnkeys
We're with him. bowed and left my chair.
He bowed in return and removed his hat.
us did the rest. Then he took from his
breast pocket paper. 1t was my death
warrant He read it in trembling tones