The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-30
CHAPTER XVII.
HIS ONE LAST WISH

and delivered the verdict in strong
firm tones:
Your honor. we find tile prisoner
guilty of murder in the first degree.
The tension snapped. There was an
audible murmur throughout the court
room.
Jim dropped back limp 10 his chair,
and one of his hands flute. a Lfore
his eyes.
He did not realize, ne could not I'M
derstand fully just what had happened.
Tie was conscious only of a dull sense
Of pain and a vague feeling that he
had lost something
Tt was five minutes before Jim came
out from the daze. Then he forced
his trembling lips into a firm line and
sat looking at the judge with a vac
nous stare.
The judge was reading the law on
the case preparatory TO giving out the
sentence.
Jim heard and understood dimIy that
the man on the bench was explaining
that there was only one sentence pos
sible on such a verdict, and that SEN
teuce was death. Death by means OF
the electric chair in that state
Suddenly a thought came 10 Jim. Now
that there was nothing left he remem-
bered that his lawyer had told him the
court was very Ienient with a condemn
ed man, and would grant one last wish
IL it seemed advisable.
Giving a quick sign TO his lawyer,
just as the judge got pompously 70 his
feet TO deliver the sentence, Jim man
aged to attract the advocates attention.
and he came over TO him.
''WU you plead for one last wish?'
asked Jim.
you might as well do If yourself.
replied the lawyer.
AT that moment the order came i'm
a loud voice for Jim To stand up and
receive sentence.
He stood up as straight as possible.
and looked ar the judge firmly while
the sentence was slowly pronounced
The judge paused before setting a
date for the execution.
Your honor" cried Holden. sudden
Iy finding words, may I make a re-
auest2"
.What is thate"
THAT my execution be stayed until
] have time 10 carry out one last
wish"
What is the WishE
.I own house here in Marshall that
I would like 20 have sold for me. ]
would like the money taken r7 a GER
tain person i'm Arizona.
Ell see no objection to that" replied
the mag strate. "But how long viii it
take 20 carry this Out2'
Jim.s lawyer was on his feet, and re
piled for lis client
OF think, your honor, that IL the exc
cutl0n were set for three weeks from
today there would be plenty Of time TO
carry out the request"
.I suppose your wish is that YOU 1e
allowed enough time so that YOU can
receive word that the money has
reached the right hands,"
Yes, your honor" replied Jim.
.Weu. then. I'll SET the date oG exc
cutf0u for three weeks from today. But
. if everything is not completed bg then
you VIII NOT bee allowed further post
pouemeut. Is that clear2"
eyes. your honor TepIie- Jim. taking
/ his seat
Gust O. moment requested the mag
israte. and Holden jumped TO his feet
assiu-
eth. court has ua jurisdiction in the
matter. 5at as the wlsa has been
granted lt would be- well 90 have fl iu
the record who iz 10 be intrusted with
tine carrying ont of the request"
There was an awkward silence.
Jfu's lawyer stepped over and lhe
two conferred Tor several minutes.
elias amy one been ch0sen?T asked
tle Judge
eyes. your honor. answered Jim.
What is hts uameg"
Surprise was expressed throughout the
room.
What Is the name. tHenEr continued
the magistrate.
-Bes= Brown
a ripple Of ACCOMPLISHMENTS passed over
the audience. Eess name had been
coupled with Jimz so often since the
tragedy that every body was ast1uisAed
an Che GOODNESS of the prisoner in in
trusting her with This last wish Of hls.
There was sudden shutting at the
state attorneys table, and eager ueclSs
were GRAINED 20 see what was about 90
happen.
THE excited toWuspe0pIe and country
men were aWed by seeing Banker Brown
standing TO address the court. his face
purple with rage.
"I oJjaat-' he cried out. THE name
OF my daughter has appeared too often
iu this case already
-Jur of order, SIT down snapped
the judge.
The elder Brown paid uo heed He
was iu deadly earnest, and nothing mat
tered to him but his anger
81 say 1 object My daughter name
must be taken Off the record. she has
nothing 10 DO with this case. More
over. ] viii see o. 90 that she viii not
carry ont this criminals last wish"
"sit down. repeated the. Judge stern
Iy. eff you don't I shall have you ar
rested for contempt OF court"
AT the last reminder the banker sat
down with bad grace. mumbIing to him
self.
Then the judge continued:
These family matters can he settled
out of court. The court is adjourned -
Most 81 the assemglage were E,0W 10