The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-11-02


hunlor him" answered the Ienl,cn.
tiary governor. Hes only got three
more weeks now"
Big George was the chccrfulest ne
gro prisoner that ever lay In the CON
deinned cell. Blg George was 20 he
clcctrocut.d in three weeks time for
the murder of his wife. Lily.
lie had drowned her In the creek.
near his cabin. giving out the story
that she had left him for another man.
Tie had mutiInied her body. so that
the remains were only recognizable BY
the ring on the finger. Witnesses had
sworn positively that II was Llly's ring.
For the defense II was alleged that
the body was that Of one Martha
Washington, an aged coiored chore-
lady. who had disappeared one night
On her way home across the bridge.
Will. under the influence Of moon.
shine. Eut that had not weighed with
the Jury.
Big George kept up his courage and
reiterated that he would not 40 to the
chair.
"Lilyll turn up-ycs. sab" he kept
repeating. That womans always on
de job Say. boss. CANT you give M.
nothing but rabbits backsf CANT you
give me rabbits legs for a change ~
dietf"
"iiumor him. said the governor.
I'VE don't often eet q prisoner like
George"
He certainly was n cheerful econ.
and every one was sorry that the chair
doomed so deadly close 10 him. There
had not been an execution In the
prison for three or four years. Their.
were three condemned cells. hut non.
~ them had been occupied within that
period 81 time until George came. tn.
other two were used for storing fuel
and potatoes.
The chair had had To he ovcrhauled
altogether u was nasty business. and
every one would be thankful when n
was over. They had tried their hard.
est tn get rcprieVe for George. but
the governor had turned down the ap-
peal decisiyely. So George had To 20.
That womanll turn up. sah."
George insisted.
Say. Amt you got no rabbits Ialgs
for a changer
Two weeks before the day set for
the execution Georges sister was an.
nounced. George opened his eyes lie
had no sister-at least. he had never
met one. However. the prospect OF y
lady visitor was naturally a welcome
one.
In came Lily. as large as life. accom-
panied by the warden.
Hello. Lily. guessed you'd turn
up" said George. $50 you come back
Ia me;"
what yo' talking about. nlggerr
demanded lily. I'm your sister.
Pansy. Yo' killed Lily In the crick.
No brain must be going. niger"
For Gawd's sake. Lily. don't hand
me that" pleaded George. "Aln't yo'
going 10 tell the governor yo'se MY
Wife SOS they'll let me outr'
TIE warden. who was listening 20
the conversation. grinned cheerfully
II dunno George" said LILY. II
mouZht say II. but they wouldn't be-
lieve II. cos every one knows Use 20
sister. Pansy-ssef'
George collapsed on his bed. For
de Lawd's sake have heart. woman"
he pleaded.
Say" he asked the warden next
day. 'how many times must I ask YOU
for rabbits laigsf Sure 20 Mike they
amt all backs. are theyf"
"IIumor him." said the penitentinry
governor. so George had rabbits legs
thereafter.
Lily came AGAIN. Say. coon. been
thinking over what you asked me-" she
said III you was to get clear Of here.
yo' see. I'd have Ia take up with you
again. You're n worthless sort Of mig
ger and yo' amt a good pervlder are
youi"
Honest "a God. Lily. Of you let me
out I'll work for you n long as live"
How bout that yaller ball dress.
George. what left YOU for because
you wouldn't buy IL for mer'
"rll Kit IL for you. Lily" pleaded
George desperately. And yo' know !
slius loved you. honey"
"IIey. None Of that! :" 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 repre-
sentative 81 the police department
The governor clasped George by the
hand.
George, you're free man. said
the governor. And you've got To
hank your devoted wife for IL. You've
had the narrowsst escape of your CO
reer" lie shook hands with him. lie
a good boy, George" he said Go
home with your wife and be good to
her"
George grlnned. Il ,ole you ! wasn't
going to the chair" he said. But Is
shore WIS mighty near thing. III
you hadn't given me rabbits lalgs-"