Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-01-07
A TRAGIC sCENE.

den the hearts of the .sorrerful and
laughter"
"rhats powerful good mission"
said he, "and would you be SO kind and
condescendin as to git off'n your
wagin?"
with all my heart. What else kin
do fur the crowd?"
"We are sorrerful and want our
hearts gladdened. How much do you
weigh as you standT
"Clus on to 160."
"And this rope" said he, as he took
1t from his saddle, twill 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 as well to take
advantage Of this beautiful weather."
II don't quite ketch on" said l, "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 whyfore?'
IT'S the custom of the boundless
west, as you orter know. The feller
we was arter 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 hev 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-
fectin on it when they throwed the
noosed rope over my head, hustled me
along to the tree. and thar was a ia
therly tenderness in the voice of the
boss as he patted me on the back and
observed:
II can't tell you how much obleeged
we are, but l promise you that the
headstone shant cost less'n $40 and
that lamb shall he carved on the TOP. 4
1t has bin leetle surprise on you, but
you hev acted like man and won our
esteem. Hast wife auywhere?"
"Not one"
"Any relative to whom you want to
send a few farewell words?"
II can't think of none.''
"And it amt much use to do any
prayin. bein as you are good man and
duly prepared to so. sorter wish
was goin with you, as this is sure to he
hard winter and Pm bound to git
chilblains, but I've got 10 tarry fur
awhile longer to look after my mother
less children. You seem to be about
ready"
II reckon l am" said, "and i hope |
you won't loaf away no time over the
job. Bein hung by the neck is a heap
different from haulin up bale Of |
hay"
1T Is, pilgrim, it is, and pledge you |
my solmcn word you shah hev 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
on your feet SO they won't stick to the
grass. Now, then, are you all ready?"
'It seems like am"
"Then haul away"
line crowd hauled. and riZ. i chOked |
and kicked and swung about and had |
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 st!ll alive. AS soon as | |
could look around the boss said to me:
Pilgrim, kin you ever furgive me?
thought the rope was strong enough to
hold bull, but 1t broke with you. In
stead of bein in paradise you are still
In Oklahoma"
"And am l to try 1t over ag'ln?" l
asked;
"Oh. no! no! no! You must know the
custom of the boundless west on sich
occasions, When the rope breaks, the
victim Is turned loose. to be hung some
other time by some other crowd. Git
OH your wagon, and Wen feel proud to
escort you to the young and enterprisin
town of Lucky Strike" Nj. QUAD.
I