The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-04-30

IN TWO days, the grand Jury, with
much secrecy, returned a true bill, and
a day later a considerable detachment
OF infantry started on a dusty hike up
Misery. Furtive and inscrutable Holl-
man eyes along the way watched them
from cabin doors, and counted them.
They neal also to count them coming
back, and they did not expect the
totals to tally.
Back Of an iron spiked fence, and a
dusty sunburned lawn, the barrack-like
facades OF the old administration
building and Kentucky state capitol
frowned on the street and railroad
track. About II, on two sides OF the
Kentucky river. sprawled the town Of
Frankfort: sleepy. more or less dishev-
eled at the center, and stretching 10
shaded environs OF colonial houses set
In lawns OF rich bluegrass, amid the
shade OF forest trees. Circling the
town in an embrace OF quiet beauty
rose the Kentucky river hills.
Turning In to the gate OF the state.
house enclosure, a man, who seemed
to be an fastener by the cut Of his
clothes, walked slowly up the brick
walk, and passed around the fountain
at the front Of the capitol. His steps
carried him direct to the main en-.
trance Of the administration building,
and, having paused a moment In the
rotunda, he entered the secretary's Of.
fee OF the executive suite, and asked
for an interview with the governor.
Have you an appointment" the sec
rotary asked.
The visitor shook his head. Scrib-
bling a brief note on a slip OF paper. he
Enclosed II In an envelope and handed
II to HIS questioner.
You must pardon my seeming mys.
teriousness," he said, but II you let
me send in that note | think the gov.
ernor viii see me-"
Once more the secretary studied his
man with a slightly puzzled air, then
nodded and went through the door that
gave admission TO the executives OF.
hce.
His excellency opened the envelope
and his face showed an expression Of
surprise. He raised his brows question.
ingly.
"Rou~ghlooking sort?" be inquired.
"Mountaineer?"
mo, sir. New Yorker would be my
guess. Is there anything suspicious?"
II guess not" The governor laughed.
Rather extraordinary note, but send
him in"
Through his eastern window the
governor gazed OF across the hills OF
South Frankfort, to the ribbon Of river
that came down from the troublesome
hills. Then. hearing a movement at his
back. he turned, and his eyes took IN
a well-dressed figure with confidence.
inspiring features.
He picked up the slip from his desk
and, for a moment, stood comparing
the name rnd the message with the
man who had tent them In. There
seemed to be in his mind some lrrecon.
cllable contradiction between the two.
With a slightly frowning seriousness
the executive suggested;
This note says that you are Samson
South and that you want to see me
with reference to a pardon. Whose
pardon is II, Mr. South"
My own. sir"
The governor raised his brows
slightly.
Your pardon for what? The nnws-
papers do not even report that you
have yet been indicted" He shaded the
wordg'yet" with a slight emphasis.
Il think | have been indicted within
the past day or tive. I'm not sure my.
self"
The governor continued to stare
The impression he had formed OF the
wildcat from press dispatches was
warning with the pleasing personal
presence OF this visitor, Then his fore.
head wrinkled under his black hair and
his lips drew themselves sternly.
You have come TO mo too soon, sir"
he said curtly. "The pardoning power
is a thing 90 be most cautiously used
at all times, and certainly never until
the courts have acted. A case not yet
adjudicated cannot address itself to ex-
ecutive c%lemency'
Samson nodded.
quite true he admitted. IF I an.
nounced that ! had ome on the matter
OF a pardon, Il was largely that had
TO state some business and that
seemed the briefest way OF putting IT,"
Then there Is something else2'
Yes. II II we're only a plea for
clemency / should expect he matter
10 be chiefly important to myself, In
point Of fact, ! hope to make II equally
interesting TO you. Whether you give
me a pardon In a fashion which w)'
lates all precedent, or whether ! sur
render myself and go back to a trial
which will be merely a form OF asgas-
Hination rests entirely with you. sir.
You will not find me insistent"
Then Samson launched into the
story Of his desires and the details OF
conditions which outside Influences
had been powerless to remedy-be.