River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-05-14

and cut Threats as to take plumber, ne
was now but short, broad-shouldered,
dark-skinned, pleasant-faced Mexican,
with nothing forbidding about him. In
deed. his manner was engaging.
- would rather talk of something
else, il it is agreeable to you, gentle
men, he said to a reporter who ha 4
Joined us and began business at once
ley asking Vasquez about his mental
condition.
81 am to be hanged tomorrow. Very
well. l don't like il. but l have no
choice. See?'
And he shrugged his shoulders and
smiled.
"'Do you feel that you deserve your
fateY solemnly asked the reporter.
well, that does not much NATTER
he answered, lighting a cigar. While
never killed anybody myself permit
ted my men to do so. and in the eve of
the law that is the same thing so sup
pose / deserve what is going TO happen.
Since l caunot help myself I am con-
tent
do you believe in a hereafter?'
asked the solemn reporter.
'No-do your he asked in return,
his black eyes twinlling.
THE solemn reporter grinned, and So
did vasquez.
1.-The priest has been here. He says
there is another world. He is a good
plan and believes il. Very well, | do
not know. But, seriously, l die a
Christian, a Catholic, as l have lived.
Will you pardon me, gentlemen, if ask
you TO talk about something else than
myself? l am glad to see you. | he
compony. The weather is pleasant,
eh2'
HE leaned back in his rude chair
with an animated countenance, ready
to chat. like one who wished To while
away dragging hours. lie had about
IA of them left.
"The mans face was strong and firm.
He was in the prime OF life and in per-
feet health. His courage had been
proved in many a bloody fight, and il
by numbering all his visitors it would
have given him one chance in a thou
sand TO escape that chance would have
been taken and God thanked for it. As
il sas. he smile d cordially, and accepted
the inevitable with manly composure.
His pOliteness was inexhausibIc
The editor of one of the local papers
came in. greeted him with boisterouS
hilarity meant at once to cheer the
condemned and display to the metro
politan journalists his superior intimacy
with celebrated character. The editor.
actually took a copy of his paper from
his pocket, and, with the remark: i
suppose you want to hear what / said
about you tonight sat down and read
to Vasquez three solid columns about
his crime. the preparations for the
hanging. and a minute description Of
the gallows. with mention of the other
criminals who had stepped upon it.
This performance appalled, the re-
pcrters. but Nasquez bore il in sill nee
without a winch or frown.
sheriff Adams appeared and the
Mexican retired into the shadow with
him. They whispered together, and
the sheriff seemed TO be trying to dis
suade his charge from some purpose.
But Vasquez was fesolute, and the
officers retired with a deprecator
shrug.
'Soon there was tramping of feet
without. the key turned and the iron
doors were thrown open. changing. Two
men bearing a coffin and followed by a.
black-coated undertaken, with a pair
of trestIes in his hand. came IN. The
coffin-a fine one, studded with silver
headed nails-was placed ON the
trestles. and the brigand. cigar in teeth,
stepped up and inspected il with lively
interest. He half sqnatted and ran his
hand along the side.
Its too short he said with sur
prise. looking at the awed undertaken,
who assured him IL was all right-that
il should be measured az the top. not ri
the fJttom.
Its high cried Vasquez. with a
wave of ais hand. pleased at the quality
of the coffin. which had been provided
by his friends The undertaken thought
he referred 10 the lid, which was
rounded, and said il was the fashion TO
make them that way
"'Ohl he doesn't mean that said the
editor. scornfully. What he means is
that it's nifty
"'Yes. nifty" agreed the Mexican.
CHANGING gratefully at tine SIN Jose
journalist for supplying the right word.
Yes. yes. it's nifty
'IIe put his hand inside. felt the pad
ding. pressed the little pillow and. with
an upward fiirt of his cigar. observed:
"Well. / shall sleep there pretty
WELL
"He turned away toward lis chair.