Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-12-27

zen lIle UCdtlN OF lut SNlAtAlNt anu
make the afflicted bust into song and
laughter"
That's a powerful good mission, ="
said he. "and would Won be SO kind and
condescendln as to cit of'n your
wagin?"
"With all my heart What else kin
do fur the crowd?"
1--WE are sorrerful and want our
hearts gladdened. How much do you
weigh as you stand?'
"Clus on to 100"
"And this rope" said he. as he took
it from his saddle will stand twice
that. and that limb up thar is good fur
500. Stranger. the situashun is favor
able, and. though we amt in no per-
ticker hurry, it's jest ms well to take
advantage of this beautiful weather"
Il don't quite ketch on said |, 'and
mebbe you kin help me out bit.
What's the connection between men
the rope and the limb?"
"A clus one. stranger. In about five
minits you'll be hangin by the neck"
"But whyforeY'
Its the custom of the boundless
west. as you orter know. The Teller
we was AFTER got away, and so we take
! the next. No hard feelin'S about it,
you know. We are goin to put the job
through in the greatest good natur',
and you shall hey a marble headstone
as soon as ever the railroad strikes
this locality. | hope you won't be
captiOus about the matter"
Bein spoken to in that kindly man
ner, | could hardly make up my mind
to disappoint the crowd. and yit pre-
ferred to remain on earth. | was re-
flectin on it when they throwed the
noosed rope over my head. hustled me
along to the tree, and thar was IA
| therly tenderness in the voice of the
boss as he patted me on the back and
observed:
Il can't tell you how much obleeged
we are. hut | promise you that the
headstone shan't cost less'n 500 and
that lamb shall be carved on the top.
1t has bin a leetle surprise on you but
! you hev acted like man and won our
esteem. Hast wife anywhereT
Not a one"
ANY relative to whom you want to
send a few farewell words?"
Il cant think of none"
"And il amt much use to do any
prayin. be-. as you are a good man and
duly prepared to go. | sorter wish
was gon with you, as this is sure to be
hard winter and I'm bound to git
chilblains but I've got to tarry fur
awhile longer to look after my mother
! less children. You seem to be about
ready"
| II reckon | am" | said and | hope
you won't loaf away no time over the
job Bein hung by the neck is a heap
different from haulin up a bale of
| hay"
1T is, pilgrim. it is. and | pledge you
my solmen word you<hall hcv no fault
to find with the way we manage this
leetle picnic. Stand over TO your left a
bit and hold your head up. Rest easy
OH your feet. so they won't stick to the
grass. Now. then. are you all ready"
| 'It seems like I am"
Then haul away"
The crowd hauled. and riz. | chOked
/ anu hlthtu anu ~ uliE diJbuA anu iisitl
/ begun to wonder why | didn't reach
/ the shores Of that brighter land and
| hear the songs Of the angels when
opened my eyes to find myself on the
/ grass and still alive. As soon as
could look around the boss said to me:
Pilgrim. kin you ever furgiye meE
I thought the rope was strong enough 10
/ hold "a hull but II brot-o with Won In.
stead Of hein in paradise you are still
4 in oklahoma
"And am | to try it over ag'int'
i asked
"Oh. no, no, no, You must know th,
custom Of the boundless west on SIGH
occasions. When the rope breaks the
victim is turned loose. 10 be hung some
i other time hv some other crowd. Oh
81 your wagon. and Wen feel proud &
escort YOU 70 tho Young and enterpri~ir
/ town 81 Lucky Strike" NJ Quad
1