The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-12-08

now mechanically news OF the greatest
importance was taken off the wire by
men who have automatically been do
ing that for years. Anyhow all the
copper and zinc in the world could not
get message into Brentingvile except
through him until the day operator
came on, and then it would be too late.
The newspaper man, lingering ask
ed if there would be only one telegraph
er on hand after the execution.
:" shall have a lot of stuff TO send
over, and / want it rushed. Some of
the papers may get our specials.
would have brought an operator with
me, but we thought there was going to
be reprieve, although the sheriff didn't
seem to think so," he added.
1.-THE day operator will be here at
six. / will return as soon as I've had
a cup of coffee, and we'll handle all you
can WRITE" answered Bowen, without
looking up from his instrument.
"Thanks. Grim business, isn't it?"
cit is"
81 thought the governor would cave.
Didn't your"
didn't know"
He's a shrewd old villain. He'd
have lost next election if he'd repriev-
ed this man. People don't want to see
lyncbing introduced, and a weakened
governor is Judge Lynch's friend
Well, good night. See you in the morn
ing"
GOOD night" said Bowen.
Daylight gradually dimmed the lights
in the telegraph room, and Bowen
started and caught his breath as the
church bell began to toll.
1t was ten minutes after six when
Bowen's partner, the day man, came in.
swell, they've hanged him." he
said.
Bowen was fumbling among some
papers on the table. He folded two of
them and put them in his inside pocket
Then he spoke:-
"There will be newspaper man
here in few moments with a good
deal of copy to telegraph. Rush it off
as fast as you can, and I'll be back to
help before you are tired"
AS Bowen walked towards the Jail he
met the scattered group of those who
had been privileged to see the execu-
ton. They were discussing capital
punishment, and some were yawning,
complaining about the unearthly hour
chosen for the function they had just
beheld. Between the outside gate and
the Jail door Bowen met the sheriff,
who was looking CHASTITY and sallow in
the fresh morning light.
81 have come to give myself up"
said Bowen before the official could
greet him.
"To give yourself up7 for what?"
"For murder, suppose"
"This is no time for joking, young
man." said the sheriff, severely.
"Do 1 look like humorist? Read
that"
First incredulity, then horror, over
spread the haggard face of the sheriff,
as he read and re-read the despatch
He staggered back against the wall,
putting up his arm to keep himself from
falling.
"Bowen," he gasped. "Do you-do
you mean TOTO tell me-that this mes
sage came for me last night?"
81 do, and sent you false one."
"And l have hanged reprieved
man7"
"You have hanged a murderer-yes."
"My Godl My Godl" cried the sher-
iff.
He turned his face on his arm against
the wall and wept. His nerves were
gone. He had been up all night and
had never hanged man before.
Bowen stood there until the spasm
was over. The sheriff turned indig-
nantly to him, trying to hide the feeling
of shame al giving away, in anger at
the sight of it.
"And you come to me, you villain,
because said 1 would help you If you
ever got into tight placer"
''D-n your tight placed" cried the
young man. II come to you to give
myself up. l stand by what do.
don't squeal. There will be no petit
lions got up for me: What are you 60.
ing to do with me?"
81 don't know, Bowen; / don't
know" faltered the official, on the
point of breaking down. He did not
wish to have to hang another man and
friend at that. "I'll have to see the
governor. III leave by the first train.
l don't suppose you'll try to escape"
"I'll be here when you want me-"
So Bowen went back to help the day
operator, and the sheriff left by the
first train for the capital.
Now a strange thing happened. For
the first time within human recollec.
ton, the newspapers were unanimous
in commenting the conduct of the
head of the state, the organs of the
governors own party lavishly praising
him, the opposition sheets grudgingly
admitting that he had more backbone
than they had given him credit for.
Public opinion, like the cat of the
smile, had jumped and that unmistak-
ably.
sin the name of all that's wonderful,
sheriff." said the bewildered governor,
"who signed all these petitions? If
the papers wanted the man hanged,
why in the 6end's name did they not
say 80 before and save me all, this wor-
ry. Now, how many know of this sup
pressed despatch?"
"Well, there's you and your subordi-
mates here and"
"We'll say nothing about it,"
Sand then there is me and Bowen in
Brentingvile. That's all.
"Well, Bowen will keep quiet for his
own sake, and you won't mention it9"
"Certainly not"