Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-05-01

place afforded bin, for he gave a
better one to accept it, and not
because his health demanded a
change of climate, bnt for a love
of adventure. lie had found the
rough hospitality OF the western
people uncongenlal, however, aud
was beginning to regret the fate
that bad brought him west, when
one day, some months before, he
met Frank Wagner, who had ac-
cOmpaDied his brother TO the
railway station. Tie acquaintance
formed that day lad been cultiYa-
ted, and both had atterward found
the west a much more cOngenial
place than it had seemed LefOre.
Now, as the operator sat there
in the quiet of the Arizona night,
he was thinking of the morrow
that would take bis friend from
him to a death on the gallo VS., and
all because a scheming lawyer had
seen in biu chance to further his
own interests, and - American
citizens had not been particular as
to VINO paid the penalty for a
murder.
ak K-KK-KK!7 The little IN
strument seemed mad, so loudly
did it repeat the letters time after
time; bnt it was not until the
sound of the last "cllck" had died
away and other letters were pass.
ing backward aud forward over
the wires tn It the operator recog-
nlzed and answered his ot1ic' call
81 have an impOrtunt message
for Wild Rock. Is there any way
of reaching the point from your
office to-nighll' said the instrument
after the call had been answered.
81 am afraid no; there is no one
near here bat myself and the sec
ton crew, and no way Of covering
the 40 miles hcjween here and
Will Rock after night" answered
the Operator. And then the
thought flashed 'hrongh his mind
that it might be news of The
pardon the, had so long expected,
and he added a. once: "W hat is
the message abomV
"Sent 10y order OF the president
to sop an execu ion at that place
tomorrow morning. was the re-
ply,
send it at once and | Will de.
liver it myself, if CID permits
went f ,ing hack 10 the end OF the
line. Then with painful slowness
the instrument ticbed ont its glad
message. II was as follows:
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Nov. p
To JOnN ) A.. Slenff of
Navajo County. y. r., Wild Rock;
President orders execution OF
Frauk Wagner, condemned to be
hanged to.mOr5o morning., stOpp-
ed aud the release Of the prisoner
npon arrival of pirdpn papers
forwarded through regular chan.
nels. - Secretary.
The good words bad come, bat
at what time! The ODe erutOr re
cognized the fact that it lay with
MN whether or not his friend was
to die, and yet could save HINT lt
lacked but lite over four hOnrs
before the time for the execution.
There was not a house that he
knew of within ten miles OF the
station, and even If he had one,
would it be possible to cover the
40 miles Of rough mountain road
between there and Wild Rock be
fore tour o'clock IN the morningl
For several seconds Burgess
stood thinking.
"Its the very best can do" he
said. d.aloud. haven't ridden 1t fol
month, but it is in good condl
ION and ready for immediate use
all but the fat tires, and minutes
pnmping will FL! them will
wind"
Going to the lit le rOom,used as
baggage or storerO0m when oc
casion de handed, he brought out
late mo lei wheel that had been
sent to him from the east. II e knew
that he was a fair rider, but ha'
had very little practice for SOM
time, and If he was to ride 40 mlle
i'm the next four hours it wOul'
req lire every bic OF strength ant
perseverance he possessed. lie IN
dated the tires, Olled the machin'
carefully, then strapped the tool
bag, containing pnmp, wrench an'
oil can to tue saddle, compared hl
watch with the Otiise clock TO se
that It was correct, put tbe dis
patch for the sheriff carefully in a
inside pocket, closed the Office door
and was away as fast a. 1t wac pos
.,f.lo f.r hin, IN pt1ah fhp Wlap