The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-12-28
The Condemned
Mans Mascot
5iIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIHI

BY JOHN PALMER
90. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.)

II can't make out why Big George
wants rabbit every day for dinner"
said the warden.
"Oh, well. i guess well have to
humOr him." answered the peniten-
tiary governor. Hes only got three
more weeks now"
Big George was the cheerfulest ne
gro prisoner that ever lay in the con-
demned cell. Big George was to be
electrocuted In three weeks time for
the murder Of his wife, Lily.
He had drowned her in the creek,
near his cabin, giving out the story
that she had left him for another man.
He had mutilated her body, so that
the remains were only recognizable by
the ring on the finger. Witnesses had
sworn positively that it was Lily's ring.
For the defense 1t was alleged that
the body was that of one Martha
Washington, an aged cOlOred chore-
lady, who had disappeared one night
on her way home across the bridge,
while under the influence of moon
shine. But that had not weighed with
the jury.
Big George kept up his courage and
reiterated that he would not 60 to the
chair.
"Lily1l turn up-yes, sah," he kept
repeating. THAT woman's always on
de Job. Say, boss, CANT you give me
nothing but rabbits backs? CANT you
give me rabbits legs for a change of
diet?"
"Humor him." said the governor.
I'VE don't often get a prisoner like
George"
He certainly was, q cheerful coon,
and every one was sorry that the chair
doomed so deadly close to him. There
had not been an execution in the
prison for three or four years. There
were three condemned cells, but none
Of them had been occupied within that
period Of time, until George came. TIE
other two were used for storing fuel
and potatoes.
The chair had had to be overhauled
altogether II was nasty business, and
every one would be thankful when II
was over. They had tried their hard.
est to get a reprieve for George, but
the governor had turned down the ap-
peal decisively. So George had to go.
THAT womann turn up, sab"
George insisted.
"Say, amt you got no rabbits laigs
for changer
Two weeks before the day set for
the execution Georges sister was an
noupced. George opened his eyes He
had no sister-at least, he had never
met one. However, the prospect Of a
lady visitor was naturally a welcome
one.
In came Lily, as large as life, accom-
panied by the warden.
"IIello, Lily, I guessed you'd turn
up" said George. $50 you come back
to me?"
"What yo' talking about, niggerr'
demanded LILY. I'm your sister,
Pansy. Yo' killed Lily in the crick.
Yo' brain must be going. Niger"
"For Gawd's sake, Lily, don't hand
me that" pleaded George. "Ain't yo'
going to tell the governor yo'se my
wife. SOS they'll let me outf"
The warden. who was listening to
the conversation, grinned cheerfully.
81 dunno. George" said Lily. Il
mought say 1t, but they wouldn't be-
lieve it, COS every one knows Use 20
sister. Pansy-seeT
George collapsed on his bed. For
de Lawd's sake have heart, woman"
he pleaded.
"Say," he asked the warden next
day, show many times must l ask you
for rabbits laigs? Sure to Mike they
amt all backs, are theyT
"Humor him." said the penitentiary
governor. So George had rabbits legs
thereafter.
Lily came again. "Say, coon, been
thinking over what you asked me-" she
said. IF you was to get clear Of here,
yO' see, I'd have to take up with you
again. You're a worthless sort of mig.
ger. and yo' amt a good pervider, are
your"
Honest to God, Lily, eff you let me
out I'll work for you as long as I live"
'How bout that yaller ball dress
George. what l left you for because
you wouldn't buy II for meT
"T'll git It for you, Lily" pleaded
George desperately. "And yo' know ]
allus loved you, honey"
"Heyi None Of thatl" commanded
the warden-for only quick kisses are
permitted In the condemned cell.
Three days later George was sum.
moned into the governors room. There
stood Lily, his lawyer and a repre-
sentative Of the police department
The governor clasped George by the
hand.
George, you're a free man." said
the governor. "And you've got tC
thank your devoted wife for II. You've
had the narrowest escape Of your ce
reer." He shook hands with him. BE
good boy, George" he said. &c
home with your wife and be good t.
her."