The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-09-14
The Governor
Decision
BY MARY J.


Copyright 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
And SO we want you to pardon this
woman, governor" said the leader Of
n deputatton, because she is more
sinned against than SHINING. She has
served ten years in the penitentiary."
For a revolving murder" interposed
the governor harshly.
For a murder to which she was &C.
cessory. She was swayed by the man
who committed 1t and has paid the
penalty of his crime. We want to re-
store her to society, to give her her
chance in life. She is still young, she
has been educated in prison. She
was accessory to the murder Of q
brute. Her life was far from exem-
plary. But what started her upon the
downward road? The man who took
advantage of her youth and innocence,
the first unnamed, unknown man who
made her what she u.s."
There was a pause in the governors
room. Governor Bates was scrupulous
IN the way he measured out justice.
The deputation knew that all the
facts concerning Mary seyforth would
be carefully weighed. 1t knew that
Governor Bates would act according
to the dictates of his conscience.
But he had his sentimental side,
and DR.. Anne Pritchard, the leader of
the deputation, was playing it for all
1t was worth.
If every man dared look himself
In the heart" she said, "who Is there
who would not say, of such women,
There, but for the mercy of God,
stand I?'"
The governor meditated. He had
released many prisoners during his
term of Office. He had been unjustly
blamed and ~extravagantly praised. He
was not thinking of what the news
papers would say. The business of
the state was in suspense for half
IN hour that he might weigh whether
q not Mary Seyforth should be re-
stored to liberty. It was a decision that
required almost superhuman clarity.
"Her prison record?" he asked.
"Splendid," said Doctor Pritchard.
'I1l go and see her. announced the
governor.
The deputation withdrew. They had
gained something, at any rate, but
they had hoped for MORE"
That evening the governor went to
the p%enitentiary to see the woman. He
rose and bowed as the slight, prison
clad figure entered the warden's Office.
"Sit down, Mary Seyforth," he said.
'You know why I am here. l have
been approached with a view to grant
ing you a pardon. You must not be
Influenced by undue hopes. Tell me
your story"
The slight figure faced him across
the table, but she kept her face buried
n her hands. She did not answer
him.
"You were lucky to escape the
chair" said the governor ~judiciously.
sYour life has not been exemplary.
I am not r~eproaching you with it; I
an summing up the facts. Did you
love CarterT
She shook her head.
''Then, why in Gods name, were you
IN accessory to his crime?". the gov
ernor demanded.
She spoke between her fingers: Il
was alone in the world. I had been q
servant. l had-.a child to support. I
couldn't be q servant and support It.
and-and Carter came to m and
promised to let it live with us IL III
I'd agree. What Is one to do?'
"You should naver have ahmed ln
the first place." answered the govern
Or, but she went n
"Then, when he planned to break
into the old mans safe, he swore
that there should be no violence.
When the old man awoke and cried
he strangled him with his pocket
handkerchief. I didn't know what he
was doing. When I knew II told
him to get out of my sight forever"
GAIL this does not excuse the fact
that you had deliberately placed your
self outside the social institutions"
said the governor.
"That's all. l didn't ask for q par
don, and II don't want one. You
zee, the-the child is dead"
"You don't want to go free2' asked
the governor In establishment.
mo. What should l want my free
dom for? I'm happy here, in a way"
"You should have your chance In
llfe," said the governor. "A chance to
atone for the past by years of service.
You are now an educated woman.
You could obtain a position. Doctor
Pritchard has promised to 9 to it.
I have decided to grant this applica-
ton. But, Mary Seyforth, do not
blame society in your heart. You
alone are the Of your misfOr-
tunes"
"How about the mantle first
mani" asked Mary Seyforth quietly,
for the first time looking him in the
oyes across the table.
Into the governors eyes a look Of
horror came. He stared at her BE-
WS1dered.
"You, Maryr" he cried in horror.
And the words rang through his
brain, There, but for the mercy Of
God, stand l."
And he knew that it was he himself
who must atone for the past by years
Of service.