The Press., 1901-06-20

immediate. For the consideration of 12.OOO francs, which would also cover the expense of transportation. the ltal- ian government declared it's willing ness to lend the apparatus and special iSt.
 This was cheaper. but yet too heavy an expense to incur for such wretch. 1t would still be necessary to tax the citizens. Again the council met. At great length they debated as to how the matter might be more economically settled. Why could not they employ 8 native soldier and behead the rascal at home? .... ..
 The general was consulted. He quite properly might order one of his war riors 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. "We have not had sufficient practice"
 What could be done? They reflected and yet again held a council. A com mittee was formed, a commission and a subcommission. A way was found. for the death penalty must be substt- tuted for that of Imprisonment for life Thus the sovereign could display clem- ency and at the same time economize. The princeling approved. But another difficulty arose. There was no prison suitable for lifelong confinement. There were police stations, but no real prison, safe and sure. However, one was ar ranged, a jailer was appointed, and finally the prisoner was shut up.
 Capital! The jailer guarded the crim- inal and every day from the palace kitchen brought him his meals.
 A year passed. The princeling, mak- ing up his accounts, found that the prisoners support heavily weighted his budget. "The fellow" thought he, "is young and healthy. There is nothing to prevent his living 50 years, and with jailer, food, etc., to what a sum will his expenses amount? The thing can- not go On." The sovereign summoned his ministers.
 "to reduce the cost of keeping that wretch. He Is too expensive"
 The ministers held a council and deliberated.
 "Gentlemen," said one, q have thought of.a means. We must do away with the jailer."
 But" observed another, "the prison CT will escape"
 Well, let him escape and go to the devil. It will be good riddance.'
 The matter was referred to the prince, who approved, and the jailer was dismissed. Excellent! It only re- mained 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 pris- on and carefully locked himself in. The next day an identical programme was carried out. He obtained his food and tranquilly 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 criminal and said:
 "Why do you not escape? You have no jailer, no one prevents you, and the prince will certainly not object to your leaving his country"
 'The prince would not object" re- piled the prisoner, that I quite un- derstand, but where can I go? What would become of me? Your sentence has forever dishonored me. No one wants me. I have no way of support ing myself. Why have you treated me so badly? You condemned me to death. Very well. You ought to have executed me, and you did not do it. said nothing. Then you sentenced me to lifelong Imprisonment and appointed a iailer to bring me my meals. Next you took away my jailer. Still l said nothing. but went myself to get my food. And now you tell me to go. An, 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 1t was decided to offer the criminal pension Otherwise it would be impos- sible to get rid of him. The matter was referred to the princeling. There was really no choice. and he approved. A pension of 600 francs was decided up on, and they informed the prisoner.
 "All right" said he, ''I will go. but you must pay regularly"
 The new pensioner received on ac- count 200 francs bade goodby and left the country. To do so he was obliged to travel by rail only for quarter of an hour. Having bought at a few min- utes' distance from the frontier a little bit of ground. he raises vegetables and on certain days goes to draw his pen sion. The money pocketed. he repairs to the casino. risks or francs on the green cloth. loses or gains, then goes quietly home. Thus he lives soberiy and well behaved.
 He had the good luck to commit his crime outside the countries which grudge no expense for cutting off mems heads or for shutting them up for life in prison.-Translated For New York Commercial Advertiser.