The state herald., 1915-08-27

eottis W taiiy. ..sR4.s. s.rs44--.--..s,-----
Back of an iron spiked fence, and
dusty sunburned lawn, the barrack.like
facades Of the old administration
building and Kentucky state capitol
frowned on the street and railroad
track. About 1t, on two sides of the
Kentucky river. sprawled the town Of
Frankfort: sleepy. more or less dishev.
eled at the center. and stretching to
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 moment In the
rotunda, he entered the secretary's Of.
nee Of the executive suite, and asked
for an Interview with the governor.
Have you an appointment" the sec
retary asked.
The visitor shook his head. Scrib-
bling brief note on slip OF paper, he
Enclosed It in an envelope and handed
It 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 will 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
fee.
His excellency opened the envelope
nnd his face showed an expression OF
iurprise. He raised his brows question.
ingly.
"Rough'looking sort!" he inquired.
"Mountaineer7"
No. sir. New Yorker would be my
guess. Is there anything suspiciousg"
i 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 n movement at his
back. he turned. and his eyes took In
= well-dressed figure with confidence.
inspiring features.
He picked up the slip from his desk
and. for a moment. stood comparing
the name and the message with the
man who had sent them in. There
seemed TO be In his mind some lrrecon.
cilahle 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 what3 The news
papers do not even report that you
have yet been indicted" He shaded the
word yet" with a slight emphasis.
Il think have been indicted within
the past day or two, I'm not ssre my,
self"
The governor continued to stare
The impression he had formed OF the
wildcat" from press dispatches was
~hrring with tho pleasing personal
presence OF this visitor. Then his fore
head wrinkicd under his black hair and
his lips drew themselves stcrniy.
You have come 10 me too soon. sir, =
he said curtly. Tho psrdoning powc,
In a thing TO b. most cautiously used
at all times. and certainly never until
the courts have acted. A case not yci
adjudieated cannot address itself TO ex
ecutiyo elomency."
Samson nodded.
Quite true" h. admitted. III 1 an
nounced that had come on tho matter
Of pardon, II was largely that | had
TO state some business and thai
seemed tho bricfest way OF yulting IT,
Then there Ia something eirc1"
Yes, II II were only q plea fol
elcnency should expect :ho mattel
10 be chiefly important TO myself. In
point Of fact, hope TO make Il equal,
Interesting To you. Whether you givs
me pardon In fashion which VIZ
iaton all precedent. or whether sur
sender mynelf and 80 back TO tria
which will be merely form OF hstas
sinAiion rests entirely with you. sir
You will no, md mo inHiHtent"
Then Samson launched into III,
story OF his desires and the details o.
conditions which outside influence,
had been powariess 10 remody-be
cause they were outside Influences
Bone man Of sufficient vigor aud com
prehsnsioe sslIna from the esutsr oI