Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-09-01
The
Fatal Chair
BY ERNEST LEVINE

Inc London Policeman tapped II"
sleeper on the SnlrS OF the boots
There was no response. ii" shook
him. Tn" mans head lollrd back on
the bench
"Blmry. he's dead" he muttcrc,,
Eat. as b." stared Into the yellow
face, an awful awakening seemed to
occur. The man sat up s,inly. staring
about him.
iii! You can't sleep there" said
the policeman. Get OF or III have to
run you in"
He stared after the man as he tot
tered away. ''Rlimey. he did give me
a scare!" he said.
The sailor entered the Salvation
Army shelter and went to the bunk
assigned to him. a little man with
white beard. lying In the next bunk.
stared ut him.
where are you from. matey?" he
asked
New York. IL you gotta know"
snarled the other.
Sailor, bain't ye?"
Ella. l guess you'd like to know,
wouldn't VA" the newcomer snarled.
Il put IT over on EN-. all right. all
right"
whats that? Put what over who?"
demanded the little old man.
Io-morrOw ut eight" answered the
sailor. still with the snarl. half ferocity
ana half timidity, In his voice. He
clutched the other by the arm. Ills
ten! Tomorrow. at eight, they'll come
for me. to take me for nice little
walk through nice little door, and
put me In Il nice little chair-a chair
with arms. And-they won't find me
Get that, boz"
Il dunno what you're talking
about" whimpered the little old man.
I'm afraid of you"
"Iou might rs we'll he, 10. l amt
dead man and l amt exactly alive
Listen, here. I'll tell you. Gawd 1
gotta tell some one"
Tell me-" whispered the little old
man.
"Tll tell YOU. I didn't Kill her. They
thought it wns me. but it was only my
hand. | had no control over it, 1t
was my hand that hit her with the
hammer, only they thought it was me,
and that's why they wanted to send
me to the chair with the armS-scc?'
I'D been Il student afure they sent
me there; a student of the Indian
sciences. ] amt what you think am.
That's the body l took. 1t amt ne.
I'm an dedicated MISUNDERSTANDING"
I'm afraid Of YOU. You look like
dead man." whimpcrcd the other.
The sailor laughed. "And. when l
was in the cell waiting to be sent to
the Chair with the arms. applied
lesson seven of the hOol-c0nccntra
ton. l got out of my body 10y night
and went wandering all over the
world, looking for man who was
! ready Ia cash in.
"Ihcrc was one on the Thames EN-
hanlmCnt, Just ready To drop of with
heart disease. He didn't know. No
body knowcd it but me. l SAW him in
my cell rs plain rs I sec YOU now.
'Thcn ii was lesson cicht Of the
book for mine. I'd studied and stud
led. and practiccd and practiccd till
was all ready to slip OF, Il my sheath.
1t was rs quick as flash. seed his
soul going out of his boly-onc, two,
| like this
"You'rc crazy" said the little old
| man. "Iou're crazy. I'm afraid of
you. I don't want you to talk to me
no more"
"You're going to hear it." snarled
the sailor. - Oh gotta hear it now.
| The minute he passed out l slipped in
| one, tWo-likc that. I left my old
carcass lying asleep in the cell, wait
| ing for the warderS to carry it through
the nice little door into the nice little
/ room at eight o'clock tomorrow. And
here am l.
Il dunno as I mightnt have picked
better body, being an dedicated man,
and things has got sort of confused
but I'll remember in time, guess. Ho !!
| no! ho!' He rOared in laughter
| "Iheyll think it's me tomorrow at
eight in the morning. They'll have
| another guess coming. though"
Don't You talk to me no more"
| whimpered the little old man. I'm
afraid of you. I'm going to sleep, 1
| am"
Eight o'clock. boys. Turn out :"
shouted the attendant.
| AS the clock struck. for a moment
look of fear came over the sailors
face; then lie laughed. II guess 1
fooled EN- he said. (Which way you
going. boz"
Tin going east. but I'm going
alone" piped the little old man.
"Tm going with you til two o'clock"
| said the sailor. You come along Of
Inc. l may want you at two"
They started off and walked side by
| side out of London, into Eppng for