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

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1t is such work as you are doing that
makes lynching possible. The people
seem all with you now, more shame to
them, but the next murder that is COM
mitted will be followed by lynching
| just because you are successful to-day"
The lady left Bowen with sigh, de-
pressed because of the depravity of hui
man nature, as indeed she had every
right to be.
People claimed, apparently with JUS
tice, that surely Imprisonment for life
was sufficient punishment for young
man, but every one knew in his own
heart that the Communication was only
the beginning of the fight, and that a
future governor would have sufficient
pressure brought to bear upon him to
let the young man go.
Up to the twentieth of September
the governor made no sign. When
Bowen went to his duties on the night
of the twentieth, he met the sheriff.
"Has any reprieve arrived YETI" ask
ed Bowen.
The sheriff shook his head sadly.
He had never yet hanged man and
did not wish to begin.
"No," said the sheriff, Sand from
what l heard this afternoon none is
likely to arrive. The governor has
made up his mind at last that the law
must take it's course"
"I'm glad of that" said Bowen.
"Well, Pm not"
After nine O'Clock messages almost
ceased coming in, and Bowen sat read
ing the evening paper. Suddenly there
was call for the Office, and the opera
tor answered. As the message came
over the wire Bowen wrote it down
mechanically from the clicking instru-
ment, not understanding it's purpose,
but when he read it he jumped to his
feet, with an oath. He looked wildly
around the room, then realized, with a
sigh of relief, that he was alone, ex-
cept for the messenger hoy who sat
doing in corner, with his cap over
his eyes. He took up the paper again
and read it with set teeth
"Sheriff of Brenting County, Brentingville:
"Do not proceed further with execution
| OF Prior. Sentence committed. Documents
sent off by to-nights mail registered.
Answer that you understand this message
JOHN DAY, GOVERNOR"
Bowen walked up and down the room
with knitted brow. He was il no
doubt as to what he would do, but he
wanted to think over it. The telegraph
instrument called to him, and he turned
to it, giving the answering click. The
message was to himself from the oper-
ator at the capital, and it told him he
YVES to forward the sheriff's telegram
without delay and report to the Office
at the capitsl-a mans life depended
on it, the message concluded. Bowen
answered that the telegram to the sher-
if would be immediately sent.
Taking another telegraph blank, he
wrote:
Sheriff of Brenting County, Brentville,-
Proceed with execution of Prior. No
reprieve will be sent. Reply If you under
stand this message.
John DAY, GOVERNOR"
1t is pity it cannot be written that
Bowen felt some conjunction at what
! he was doing. We like TO think that
when man deliberately commits a
crime he should hesitate and pay enough
Difference to the proprieties TO feel at
least temporary regret, even if he
goes on with his crime afterward.
Bowen's thoughts were upon the dead
girl, not on the living man. He reused
the doing telegraph messenger.
" Here, he said, stake this to the Jail
and find the sheriff. If he is not there,
go to his residence. If he is asleep,
wake him up. Tell him this wants an
answer. Give him blank, and when
he has filed it up bring it to me. Give
the message to no one else, mind"
The boy said, Eyes, sir" and de-
parted into the night. He returned 40
quickly that Bowen knew without ask
ing that he had found the sleepless
sheriff at the Jail. The message to the
governor, written in a trembling hand
by the sheriff, was:-
II understand that the execution is to
take place IL you should change your
mind, for Gods sake telegraph as soon as
possible. ! shall delay execution until last
moment allowed by law"
Bowen did not send that message,
but another. He laughed and then
checked himself in alarm, for his laugh
sounded strange.
81 wonder If l am quite sane" he
said to himself II doubt it,"
The night wore slowly on. A man