The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-08-28
GAyN 9ysN @
~ {5Gg7&Ezk2JY

the way we'll arrange il. my mamie"
The King made a gesture Of despair,
but remained silent, ana they walked
rapidly down the road together. They
had quilted the forest, and the vil-
lage OF st. Ninians was now in view.
As they approached the place more
nearly Hutchinson was pleased to seS
that great crowd had gathered TO
view the hanging. Re seemed to take
this as 4 personal compliment to him
self, as an evidence OF his popularity.
The two made their way TO the back
OF the great assemblaSe. here few
soldiers guarded an inclOsure, within
which was the anxious Sheriff and his
minor officials.
Bless me, Baldy." cried the Sheriff.
in tone Of great relief, I bought you
had given me the slip"
''Ye thought naethin~ O. the kind,
Sheriff." rejOined Badly cOmplacently.
Il said I would be here, and here
am"
you are Just late enough" grumbled
the Sheriff. The people have been
waiting this two hours"
They'll think it all the better when
they see it," commented Badly. II
was held back bit on the road. Has
there no message come from the Flng?'
"COuld you expect it. when ths
crimes treC SOM" asked the Sheriff i'm
patiently, but there's been a cObbler
here that's given me more bother than
twenty kings, and cannot be Paclfled-
He says the Kings away from Stirling.
and this execution must be put by for
another ten days. which is impossible"
ALLOW me a word in your ear pri-
vateIy." said the beggar to the Sheriff.
iii see you after the jobs done" re-
piled the badgered man. I have no
more places to give away; you must
oh n he oh, q
Badly put his open hand to the side
Of his mouth and whispered to the
Sheriff:
This beggar man." he said. has
been misused by gang Of thieves In
TOrwOOd forest"
7 cannot attend to that now" re-
Joined the Sheriff. with increasing irri-
tatiOn.
mo, no." continued Badly suavely,
It's not that, but he's got a friShtful
dunncr on the top O. the head, and ha
thinks he's the King"
Il am the King" cried the beggar,
overhearing the last word of caution,
land ] warn you, sir, that you proceed
with this execution at your peril.
arr JaJSss of Scotland, and forbid the
hanging"
At this moment there broke through
the insufficient military guard a wild.
unkempt figure. whose appearance
caused trepidation to the already much
tried Sheriff
There's the crazy cObbler again" he
mOaned dejectedly. Now the fats all
in the fire. i think III hang the three OF
them, trial or no trial"
"Oh, your Majesty" cried the cObbler
and it was hard to say which OF the
two was the more disrcputable in ap-
pearance-'this man Hutchinson is in
nOcent. You will surely not allow the
hanging to take place, now you are
here"
I'll not allow 1t, If I can prevent it.
and can set this fool Of a Sheriff to
listen"
Fool of a Sheriff. say you'll" slut
tered that official in rising anger.
Here. guard, take these two raga-
mullins into custody and see that they
are kept quiet till this hanginS's done
with. Hutchinson, get up on the scat
fold; this is all your fault Hangman,
do your duty"
Badly Hutchinson, begging the cob
bier to make no further trouble,
mounted the steps leading to the plat
form, the hangman close behind him.
Before the guard could lay hands on
the King, he sprang also up the steps
and took a place on the outward edge
OF the scanold. Raising his hand. he
demanded silence.
L am James, King OF Scotland" he
proclaimed in stentorian tones. II
command you as loyal subjects to de-
part to your homes. There will be no
execution to-day. The King reprieveS
Badly Hutchinson"
The cObbler stood at the Kings
back and when he had ended lifted
his voice and shouted, God save the
Kingl"
The mob heard the announcement
in silence, and then roar of laughter
followed as they gazed at the two tat
tered figures On the edge of the plat
form. But the laughter was followed
by an ominous howl of rage as they
understood that they were likely to
be cheated of a spectacle.
''Losh, III King him." shouted tbs
Indignant Sheriff as he mounted the
steps, and before the beggar or his
comrade could defend themselves that
official with his own hand precipitated