The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-05-25
an INTERCEPTED
DEATH SENTENCE
By JOSEPH kEATINC,
"A Story Of Joseph Chamberlain
<Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.) }

!t-tt the house that night he felt tired
and lonely.
When he put his latch-key into the
door ne felt as if he were letting him.
self into dungeon. He struck q.
match and found on the hall table
the brown envelope of a telegram.
Cable from army headquarters,
central Africa. this morning to O'Cal-
iaghans. Their poor son Tim court
roartialed and sentenced to death for
1nntinv Old people heart broken
Save their boy. Biddy."
ihis was message to try a man.
FOR Denis ample affection and admir-
alton for the loving wife who signed
herself "Biddy" gave every thing she
ever said or did extraordinary impor-
taIce IN his eyes; and he took it that
she meant him to save the life of the
unfortunate Private Tim O'Calla CHAN
Of the Seventeenth Wicklow rangers
even If he had to fight all the laws of
the British empire.
And one little thing could stop him
from saving his 'nisfortunate towny"
Tim might already have been shot.
The thought OF this gave Denis a
twist
"Begor! if he is-Biddyl1 never
Sl C2k 10 ne 2gin'
ihat evening at ten O'c-ock saw the
honorable member for Rathkeale be-
fore visilant consta bic on guard out
s4ue an Onlinously closed door.
'Ebn
Denis as he came up. But all the
same, he touched his helmet respect
fully to the honorable member"
is Misther Chamberlain ;nside?"
said Denis, casually, as it were. throw
ing side nod at the closed door,
"He-is-in his room, sir
Would ye tell him that Misther
Denis Cavanagh, member for Rath-
Eeale, would like a word with him?"
"l-dare, dare not, sir. Orders
must not disturb on any account. I'm
portant orders-afairs-'
I'm going in, anyway" said Denis.
The policeman dared not lay hands
npon a member of parliament-with-
out the sergeant-at-arms beside him.
But his body shrank in agony under
his uniform as Denis-himself in a
quiver-pnt his knuckles to the oak
with the whisper of a knock.
"A low but penetrating Come in"
Intensified the horror of the situation.
Denis took Off his hat, twisted the
sicor-knOb. and accepted the invita-
lion.
He saw a green-shaded electric light
shining mildly upon litter of papers,,
blue, white and yellow, and the tall,
grave statesman sitting at the table
Mr.. Chamberlain looked pale and
tired.
Well, Cavanagh?"
Before | say a word, sir, ! must
ask You to put no blame on that po-
1isman outside your doore." Denis
made straight point at the shrinking
uniform at the open door. He did all
he could to keep me out. 'Taint he's
to blame for disturbing YOU 'Tis I'm
TO blame entirely"
Mr. Chamberlain smiled at the earn
estness of this.
We'll, Cavanagh, I'll forgive him
for opening the door, if you'll close
IT,
Denis went TO the door, winked
1nagnifcently at the policeman, and
closed the door.
"Now-what can l do for you, Cav
Anagh:"
Mr. Chamberlain said this in the
tone Of man who can do nothing at
all for the suppliant.
'Ye can DO Private O'Callaghan a
good turn, SIR
Denis stood at the opposite edge of
the table, looking down over the
green-shaded lamp anXiously at the
severe expression Of the great minis
ter
Il will spare you five minutes, Cav
anagh, but no more. Frankly, my
time is mortgaged to the hilt"
SOS poor Tins, too, sir
But what can l do? The court
Martial sentence must be carried out"
Mr.. Chamberlain pulled out paper
f1cm bundle on his left. Look at
that; and perhaps you will see, then.
tie helplessness OF O'Callaghan's s
.ase'
Denis took the paper But the min
ster's tone chilled his heart and al
most took the sight from his eyes,
I can't read it," said he, putting
the paper down by the lamp.
Mr.. Chamberlain gazed steadily at
Denis. He saw how keenly the Irish
man felt about this insignificant sol
der. He took up the paper and said
gravely:
THE information here is precise.
O'Callahan's officer gave an order,
which was openly disobeyed. When
they got into camp the officer was
bound to report the insubordination.
But as O'Callaghans fighting record