The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-12

~ murder. but that
Scotch luries are more tender-hearted
than hard-headed. despite the national
reputation for possessing the latter
quality. Nobody will wonder at the
merciful inclination OF Scotch juries.
however. after reading about the pre-
liminaries Of a Scotch execution. The
torture Of mind inflicted upon the VIC
tim In the form OF religious ceremonies
before he goes 10 the scaffoid Is some
thing almost incredible. There was an
execution in Edinburgh the other day
OF brutal. drunken printer who had
murdered his mistress in most barbar-
Gus fashion. Here is the account given
BY local paper OF the religious fea-
lures Of the performance:
The officials and other gentlemen
took up their position round the walls
facing the prisoner. who was seated In
a chair IN one corner. with two warders
at bis back. the chaplain Of the prIs-
oner standing by his left hand and In
front Of a reading desk. and Council
Tor Waterston standing by his right
side. with his hand upon his shoulder.
Every one noted the quiet demeanor Of
the condemned man. lie was dressed
In a rough brown tweed suit. with a
white mufiier around his neck. and be
held a soft cap In his right hand. which
rested on his knee. He looked at the
company filing into his cell with a
quiet. almost Indifferent. expression.
and yet with some sense OF interest.
too, but II was impossible 10 think on
seeing him that he was about 10 meet
his death. Not that he was callous or
brutal In the least. for he seemed some
what nervous and perhaps slightly
anxious. but there was no tendency 10
hysterical excitement or frenEIed ter
ror. lie sat little stifiy in his chair.
AZ II he knew he was taking part in
ceremony but could not quite realize
It's gravity.
When all had assembled. and a
death-like stiffness prevailed. the chap.
lain. addressing the company, said:
My friends. this is the last message
Of our brother. John Herdman. TO the
world: I. John Herdman. about 10
pass into the presence OF my God. say
farewell TO all my friends outside. I
offer my most sincere thanks to those
who interested themselves in the petit
ton for my reprieve. With God have
made my peace. and. relying on mis-
mercy. ! go forward to meet Him. God
bless my children"
The chaplain then turning 10 the
prisoner said: That Is your message
to the worId7" and Herdman replied.
YES"
Then the chaplain began the service
by giving out the fifth HYMN, after the
paraphrases. which, he added. HAS
been a favorite with my friend here
touching the prisoner on the shoulder
as he spoke. Herdman. feeling the
hand upon his shoulder. looked I'D for
a moment In the ehaplain's face with
the confidence Of child. Il was a
face euriously enough. in which there
was no eoarseness. as might have been
looked for In the perpetrator Of such a
deed. but II was face OF almost weak
minded simplicity.
The chaplain read the first few lines
OF the hymn:
THE hour Of my departures come.
hear the voice that calls me home
Al last. o Lordl let trouble cease,
And let Thy servant die in peace.
The company. led by the chaplain.
sans the nrst and last verses, which
sounded strangely solemn within the
cell walls. Before the first four lines
were finished the prisoner showed the
FIRST signs Of emotion. He burst into
tears. and put his hand 20 his eyes.
The chaplain. seeing this. laid his hand
upon his shoulder. and Herdman pulled
himself together and sat during the
rest Of the service without a motion.
When the hymn had been concluded
the chaplain read from the Ninetieth
Psalm. beginning. Lord. Thou hast
been my dwelling place in all genera
lions" He also read from the twenty
first chapter OF Revelation. And |
saw new heaven and a new earth. for
the first heaven and the first earth
we're passed away. and there was no
more sea"
The service was brought 20 a close
by the chaplain Offering up the follow.
ing prayer:
Though thy sins be as scarlet. they