The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-01
By katherine McDonala

trembling window The clock struck the half
hour. Half past eleventh sighed. "Oh, boy,
can we do next?"
Stephen signifed willingness to play "peek-a-
fallen twenty were carrying it toward the Jail
AS they passed the window burly Kentuckan who
heah. he said good turedy sless rest
ourselves. Let the Hoosie'hs finish this job
Laying it down they crowded close the window and
watched the mother The delay in forming an
other squad to carry the pole considerable gain
had given way to rhis little pig went to
market when Mrs Ballantyne heard the orders: -
Clear a space there! Further back boys! Further
yet! Oh get back, can't YOU out of the way?" "Give
them room for a rum" Nov! Come with rush-one.
two. three, four!"
There was a splnterng crash a shout from the mob
one long terrified shrek from inside jai-the
was down! The shern's wife buried her face ION tie
shoulder had failed to protect her hus
bands trust -
The umult inside Jail drowned the noise without
Above the voices of excited traraplng
feet came the cries of prisoners
uncertain what was happening. Some shrieked fire"
terror all pounded the cell doors and begged
to be let out to die like the horror of all this
footsteps in the private added for Mrs Ballantyne
personal fear but it was only Barnett Crane
come, he explained, to 'stay with her the baby
fierce, wild animal up the waiting
crowd outside The murderers being brought out
one shriekng like maniac. silent and obedient
They dragged yard to maple tree which
shaded the side windows of the paror.
near the electric light and, gently by night
breeze all its tender twinled and shone Tt
was beautiful tree-a little because Of
the great size of two lateral spread its
SHADOW widely and recommended it tonight as a
natural gallows. -
climbed 1T with rope in his hand. Barnett Crane
watched them from little balcony which the
SIDE window Then he went in to Mrs. Balantyne
Cant you sing? he at might put them off
for a. moment or two"
1T is too late."4 whispered in despair
confidently Nat 800 $500 - o1S - us eie'
His faith in her gave her courage She stood
against the iron railing of the balcony Stephen
in her arms while Barnett Crane called over the
heads of the crowd:
BOYS, stop a moment! You've got those fellows
can DO what please with them give a minute
or two to repent in. for Mrs BaIlantynes sake"
From the street voice: Don't give them an
instant! We don't want them to repent"
child. ~ VAC 'i''''
Five minutes boys Give them that 1ong."
But it might not have been not Alice begun
10 sing Her voice was the pride of the country MANY
in that crowd had heard public meetings and
from the church choir funerals and
tonight it's glorious notes thrilling than ever
before The sheriff riding breathlessly toward his duty
heard it swelling the soft night recognized it.
Inc boy who had taken the up the tree with
such lively sense of honor slid down the side Of
the trunk and disappeared. The mask-desperadoes
isteneo 10 the heart-searching melody:
"Jesus, my SOUL
~ Let me to thy bosom Z
and more than one of them brushed away the tears
By some occult power the singer knew that she wan
melting them, and sang by angelic inspiration
And thrilling with triumph she saw, already inside the
stephen t = -
place His back was against the tree his right hand,
extended over the murderers groveled his feet
held a revolver The leaders blue eyes that
startling fire which shows the at white heat the
point beyond which death liebut surrender
He faced the seething mob without his power
to control it.
Ihose are my prisoners he said quietly. 81
mand you in the name of the law to disperse:"
~ Already many had slipped away, and the mob was
every moment diminishing But the desperate and the
CRIMINAL remained and they rallied the wavering leaders
Don't be cowed by mani" they cried. "Get
out of the way, Sheriff; you're too late!'
Don't asst like a fool, Steve, you're one against a
thousand, and some shouted, "He can't hold ont
moren minute, anyhow"
tn be sheriff of this county for that minute all
right ne answered gr1ny Whoever lays his hand on
one Of these prisoners dies right here!"
Perhaps it was the sherif's reputation for marks
manshp perhaps 1T was his perfect confidence in his
own mastery of the situation, any ND man an
preached the prisoners On contrary the circle round
the silence.
Boys" he cried jovially. Reckon we amt needed
heah This countys pretty well to get along-the
sheriff can shoot neatly wells wife can sing Less
be gettin' ovah the rivah"
Sheriff Ballantynes face frightened and his boyish
rang out