The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-19
RED PETE'S LAST RIDE
By c. B. LEWIS

would admit, but he had been led astray by
evil counsel and was more to be p1t1ed than
blamed. Her natural sympathies, fed py the
lies and protestations of the man behind the
grated door finally brought her to promise
her aid that he might escape disgraceful
death. They were to ride away together.
They were to ride far, far away, and he
would make her his girl wife and love and
cherish her and become honest man. A
mother would have destroyed his plot In
moment but there was no mother to speak.
She listened, sympathiZed, admired and loved.
In helping him out of the hands Of the law
she was helping him to reform; in going away
with him she would encourage him in his
new resolves. -..-- ~
The Jail was without cellar. On the west
side, where Red Pete was confined was an
old shed used for fuel and storage Every
night for twenty Eight nights the girl rose
from her bed when the Jail had grown quiet
and slipped outdoors and into the shed. With
spade and iron bar she worked for three
four hours each night to tunnel under the
walls to the prisoners cell. She found heavy
walls, carried far down, and there was a bed
of cement as hard a rock and a stone floor
to the cell. 1t was hard, cruel work for
GIRL but she was melted by romance and love
to persevere against all obstacles. Each night
she toiled and labored, AID each morning she
reported progress and received the commenda-
tions of her hero.
They must have horses, food and money for
their fight. She would rob the Jail of food,
her father Of money and one horse, and the
other animal would be taken from nearby
stable. With the help of the man everything
was figured out, even to the theft of rife
and revolver.
Townspeople were admitted to see Red
Pete, and they found him broken in courage.
Ministers were admitted to pray with him,
and they found him contrite. 1t got to be
common talk that he had lost his sand and
would fail TO die game. He had part to
play and he played It, On the morning of the
third day before the execution he knew that
he was entering upon his last day in the cell.
The tunnel was completed, and his weight
| resting upon one particular spot would sink
| a stone in his cell floor and give him liberty.
The sheriff's daughter would rob her father
| that day of money and firearms and food, and
when night came the horses would be ready
| at hand.
Few women could have carried that secret
| through the long day without betrayal, but
the girl gave no sign and aroused no sus-
picion. At 9 o'clock at night she passed out
| of the Jail, made everything ready and then
waited at the mouth Of the tunnel. The con-
demned man above settled himself for sleep,
but removed the chains with the file she had
| passed through the wicket as the guard paced
to and fro in the corridor, let the stone sag
under his weight and two minutes later was
in the old shed beside the trembling girl.
Two horses stood near by, and she put money.
food and rife into his hands. Only then
did he speak, and his words were prefaeed
with sneering laugh.
well, little fool, you have done we'll" he
said. Didn't you suspect that l was guying
you? Do you imagine l would be idiot
enough to be burdened with you. Sit down
and keep your mouth shut or l will do It
for you. I'm off, and il you raise an alarm
for an hour I'll choke the life out of you be-
fore they hang me-
Each word struck the girl like the blow OF
a hammer, and she stood there dumb with
amazement while Red Pete strapped the rifle
to the saddle and mounted.
"Ain't you-you going to take me?" shs
, appealed at last.
"Bosh" he sneered in reply
'Do you mean that you don't love me, that
I'm to be left behind, that you haven't meant
what you said?'
, Don't be a fool!' he Kissed at her. ~
was working for my life, and I've won the
game. Sit down and cry 1t out. I'm OFF,
/ He turned the horses and started away.
leading one so as to have fresh mount. But
, he had not gone hundred feet when the girl
raised revolver she had not given up tt
rang out on the night air Red Pete threw uI
/ his hands and 1urched from his saddle
What is it? What is it," shouted those
who first reached the spot.
| 'I have just-just killed him because he was
q going to leave me behind,'' she said she
e looked up through her tears.