Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-05-25

The general was consulted He quite
properly might order onG CT his warriors
TO cut off the head. since that is their
trade, and. after all, what else is war:
The general spoke to his men, but one
and all refused to perform the task NO.
sir, said they. I'VE have not had sutfi-
cient practice
What could be done? They reflected
and yet again held council A commit
tee was formed, Il commission and a sub
commission. A way was found. for the
death penalty must be substituted that of
Imprisonment for life. Thus the sovereign
could display clemency and ut the same
time economic. The princeling approved.
But another difficulty arose: there was
no prison suitable for lifelong confne-
ment. There were police stations. but no
real prison, safe and sure. However, one
was arranged; .jailor was appointed,
and finally the prisoner was shut up
Capital. The jailer guarded the Grim
inal and every day from the palace kitch-
en- brought him his meals.
A year passed. The princeling. making
up his accounts. he found that the prison
er's support heavily weighted his budget
The fellow" thought he lis young and
healthy: there is nothing to prevent his
living fifty years, and with jailer, food.
etc. to what a sum will his expenses
amount? The thing cannot go on" The
sovereign summoned his ministers.
You must take measures" said he.
''to reduce the cost of keeping that
wretch; he is too expensive
The ministers held council and de-
liberated.
"Gentlemen, said one, 81 have thought
of a means. We must do away with the
jailer."
But" observed another, "the prisoner
will escape"
We'll, let him escape and go to the
devil; it will be a good radiance
The matter was referred to the prince.
who approved, and the jailer was dis
missed. Excellent. 1t only remained to
await developments.
Now at dinner time the prisoner went
out to look for the jailer, but not finding
him. he repaired to the royal kitchen.
got his food, returned to prison and
carefully locked himself in. The next
day an Identical programme was carried
out. He obtained his food and tranquil
ly dined. As for escaping he had no
such idea!
What was to be done? Again the
ministers deliberated. Let us tell him
plainly said one, that we do not want
him. Tell him to march" Good. The
ministers of justice summoned the GRIM
inal and said:
why do you not escape? You have
no Jaller. no one prevents you. and the
prince will certainly not object to your
leaving his country"
The prince would not object" replied
the prisoner that l quite understand,
but where can l go; what would become
of me! Your sentence has forever dis
hOnored me: no one wants me; | have no
way of supporting myself Why have
You treated me so badly: You con
demned me to death. Very we'll. You
OGght to have executed me. and YOU did
not do it. | said nothing. Then you
sentenced me to lifelong Imprisonment.
and appointed jailer TO bring me my
meals. Next you took away my jailer.
Still | said nothing, but went myself to
get my food. And now YOU tell me to 90,
All. no, indeed; do what you like, but as
for me, | shall stay"
What was to be done? Again the
council met and deliberated. At last it
was decided to offer the criminal a pen
sion. Otherwise it would be impossible
to get rid of him. The matter was re-
ferred to the princeing. There was real
ly no choice, and he approved. \ pen
sion of 600 francs was decided upon and
they informed the prisoner.
"All right. said he. Il will 90. but
you mist pay regularly
The new pensioner received on account
200 francs. babe go0d-by and left the
country To do so, he was obliged to
travel by rail only for a quarter of an
hour Having bought, at a few minutes
distance from the frontier. little bit of
ground. he raises vegetables and on GER
tain days goes to draw his pension. The
money pocketed he repairs to the CAST
TO. risks two or three francs on the green
cloth loses or gains, then goes quietly
home. Thus he lives soberly and well,
behaved
He had the good luck to commit his
crime outside the countries which grudge
no expense for cutting off men : heads or
for shutting them up for life in prison.
Translated by Katherine Vincent for
the New York Commercial Advertiser.