Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-06-25

AAAuSh oCNAOIJJ q u plllt ul1N
day later considerable detachment
of infantry started ON dusty hike up
Misery. Furtive and inscrutable Holl-
man eyes along the way watched them
from cabin doors, and counted them.
They meant also to count them coming
back, and they did not expect the
totals to tally.
Back of an iron spiked fence, and
dusty sunburned lawn, the barrack-like
facades of the old administration
building and Kentucky state capitsi
frowned on the street and railroad
track. About it, 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 easterner 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
flee 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 Serb
bling brief note On a slip of paper he
Enclosed it in an envelope and handed
1t to his questioner.
You must pardon my seeming mys-
nervousness" he said, but If you let
me send In that note think the gov
ernor will see me-"
Once more the secretary studied his
man with slightly puzzled air, then
nodded and went through the door that
gave admission tn the executives Of
flee.
His eXcellency opened the envelope
and his face showed an expression of
surprise. He raised his brows question
5ngly.
"Rough-looking sort?" he inquired.
"'Mountaineer?"
mo, sir. New Yorker would be my
guess. Is there anything suspicious?"
81 guess not" The governor laughed.
Rather extraordinary note, but send
him in"
Through his eastern window the
governor gazed off 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
q well-dressed figure with confidence
inspiring features.
He picked up the slip from his desk
and, for moment, stood comparing
the name end the message with the
man who had sent them in There
seemed to be in his mind some irrecon.
cilable contradiction between the two.
With a slightly frowning seriousness
che 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 it, Mr.. South"
my own, sir"
The governor raised his brows
slightly.
Your pardon for what? The news
papers do not even report that you
have yet bee: indicted" He shaded the
word "ye.~ with a slight emphasis
81 think lave been indicted within
the past day or two. I'm not sure my
aelf"
Tfe governor continued to stare
che impression he had formed of the
wildcat" from press dispatches was
warning with the pleasing personal
presence of thi" visitor, Then his fore
head wrinkled under his black hair ant
his lips drew themselves sternly.
You have come to me too soon, sir,
ne said CURLY. "The pardoning power
10 thing to be most cautiously useC
at all times, and certainly never unit
Tue IOut 70 lloNi dClSu' n case not We
adjudicated cannot address itself to ex
eCutive clemency."
samson nodded.
quite true he admitted. IF | an
aounced that had come on the matte
OF pardon, it was largely that hat
10 state soma business and tina
seemed the briefest way of putting it.
Then there is something else?"
Yes. If it we're only a plea 70
9lemency ! should expect he matte
80 be thiefly important to myself II
point of fact, hope to make it equall
interesting to you. Whether you Civ
me pardon in fashion which vi
iates all precedent, or whether ! SUI
render myself and go back to a tria
which will be merely form of assas
uination rests entirely with you, sir
You will not find me insistent."
Then Samson launched into ~
story of his desires and the details o
conditions which outside influence
had been powerless to remedy-be
cause they were outside influences