The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-17

Ninians, either with pardon or to see
me hanged, like the good friend he is"
There will be no pardon at ST. Ninians
Let us to Stirling; let us to Stirling. [
know that the king has not been at home
for week past"
How can you know that7"
Never mind how know it. Will you
do what | tell yoa?"
mot i! I'm a lad O my word"
Then you are a doomed man. I tell
since you left ST. Ninians'' Then with
a burst OF Impotence james cried, ''You
stubborn fool, l an the king!"
At first the big man seemed inclined to
laugh, and he looked over the beggar
from top to toe, but presently an express
sion of pity overspread his countenance,
and he spoke soothingly to his comrade.
Yes, yes, my man, he said, Il knew
you were the king from the very first.
Just sit down on this stone for a minute
and let rue examine that clip you got on
the top OF the head. l fear it's worse
than | thought it was"
Nonsense" cried the king, my head
is perfectly right; it is yours that is gone
aglee."
True enough, true enough" continued
Hutchinson mildly, in the tone that he
would have used toward a fractions child,
| "and you are not the first that's said it.
But let us get on to st. Ninians "
mo, let us make direct for Stirling"
"I'll tell you what we'll do, continued
Hutchinson in the same tone of exasper-
ating tolerance, "I'll to st. Ninans and
let them know the kings pardon's coming.
You'll trot along to Stirling, put on your
kings clothes and then come and set me
free That's the way we'll arrange it, my
mamie"
The king made gesture of despair, but
remained silent, and they walked rapidly
down the road together. They had quilted
the forest, and the village of st. Ninians
was not in view As they approached the
place more nearly, Hutchinson was pleas
ed to see that a great crowd had gathered
TO view the hanging. He seemed to take
this as personal compliment to himself;
as an evidence of his popularity.
The two made their way to the back of
the great assemblage, where a few sol
diers guarded an incosure within which
was the anxious sheriff and his minor
officials.
BLESS me. Baldy' cried the sheriff in
tone of great relief, Il thought you had
given me the sliD."
eye thought neathing o the kind.
sheriff, 'rejoined Badly complacently. Il
said I would be here, and here 1 am.
You are just late enough, grumbled
the sheriff, The people have been wait
ing this Two hours"
They'll think it all the better when
they see it,, commented Badly. Il was
held back bit on the road. Has there
no message come from the king?
Gould you expect it. when the crimes
treason?'' asked the sheriff impatientiy,
but there's been a cobbler here that's
given me more bother than twenty kings,
and cannot be pacified He says the king s
away from Stirling, and this execution
must be put by for another ten days,
which is impossible"
ALLOW me word in your ear private
~" said the beggar to the sheriff.
''I'll see you after the jobs done,'' re
piled the badgered man. Il have no more
places to give away; you must just stand
your chances with the mob.
This beggar man." he said, "has been
misused by gang of thieves in Torwood
Forest"
II cannot attend to that now rejoined
the sheriff. with increasing irritation.
''No, nc" continued Badly suavely
its not that, but he's got irightful dun
ner on the top O. the head, and he thinks
he's the king
Il am the king" cried the beggar, over
hearing the last word of caution, 'and l
warn you, sir, that you proceed with this
execution at your peril. l am James of
Scotland, and forbid the hanging
At this moment there broke through
the insufficient military guard a wild, UNI
keInpt 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 Are l think I'll hang the three of
them, trial or no trial.
"Oh, Your Majesty cried the cob
bler-and it was hard to say which of
the two was the more disreputable in APP
pearance-'this man Hutchinson is inno-
cent. You will surely rot allow the hang
ing to take place, now you are here"
I'll not allow it, if I can prevent it, and
can get this fool of a sheriff to listen"
Fool of sheriff, say you" suffered
that official in rising anger. Here,
guard, take these two ragamuffins into
custody, and see that they are kept quiet
till this hanging's done with. Hutchin-
son, get up on the scaffold; this Is all
your fault. Hangman, do your duty.
Badly Hutchinson, begging the cobbler
to make no further trouble. mounted the
steps leading to the platform, the hang
man 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 scaffold. Raising his
hand he demanded silence.
Il am James, King of Scotland, he pro-
claimed in stentorian tones. II command
you as loyal subjects to depart to your
homes. There will be no execution to-
day. The king reprieves Badly Hutchin-
son.
The cobbler stood at the kings back,
and when he had ended lifted his voice
and shouted, ''God save the king!"
| The mob heard the announcement in
silence, and then a roar OF laughter fol
lowed as they gazed at the two tattered
figures on the edge Of the platform. But
the laughter was followed by an ominious
howl of rage, as they understood that