Year: 1873

The following is the letter written by
Capt. Fry of the Virginius to his wife a
few hours before he was shot The allu-
sions to family affairs are, of course,
not reproduced:


On Board the Spanish Mma-oE War
La Tornado, st. Jago de Cuba, Noe.
6. 1878.


DEAR, DEAR DITA: When / left you
had no idea that we should never meet
again in this world, but it seems strange
to me that l should tonight, and on
Annie's birthday, be calmly seated, on
beautiful moonlight night, in most
beautiful bay in Cuba, to take my last
leave of you, my own dear, sweet wife,
and with the thought of your bitter au-
guish my only regret at leaving.


| have been tried to-day, and the
President of the court marshal asked
the favor of embracing me at parting,
and claspcd me to his heart. | have
shaken hands with each of my Judges
and the secretary of the court and in
terpreter have promised me as a special
favor to attend my execution, which
will, | am told, be in very few hours
after my sentence is pronounced. am
told my death will be painless in short,
have had a very cheerful and pleasant
chat about my funeral, to which | shall
go in few hours from now. How soon
l cannot yet say. 1t is curious to see
how | make friends. Poor Bambetta
pronounced me a gentleman, and he was
the brightest and bravest creature l ever
saw.


The priest who gave me communion
on board this morning put double
scapular about my neck and a medal
which he intends Ito wear himself. A
young Spanish officer brought me bright
new silk badge with the Blessed Virgin
stamped upon it to wear to my execution
for him, and a handsome cross in some
fair lady's handiwork. These are to be
kept as relics of me. He embraced ME
affectionately in my room with tears in
his eyes.


Dear sweetheart, you will be able tc
bear it for my sake, for | will be with
you if God permits it. Although
know my hours are short and few, am
not sad. feel | shall always be with
you right soon, dear Dita, and you will
not be afraid of me. Pray for me ant


| will pray with you.


There is to be fearful sacrifice o.


life from the Virginius, and, as think


needless one, as the poor people ar


unconscious of crime, and even of thei


fate up to now. I hope God will forgiv
: if am to blame for it.


If you write to President Grant h
will probably order my pay due when


resigned paid to you after my death
People will be kinder to you now, dea
Dita-at least I hope so. Do not drea'
: death when it comes to you it will b


as Gods angel of rest. Remember this
l hope my children will forget thei
fathers harshness and remember hi
love and anxiety for them. May the
practice regularly their religion, an


pray for him always. Tell - that th
r last act of my life will be public pr'
fession of my faith and hope in Him I
S whom we need not be ashamed, and
is not honest to withhold that public a
0 acknowledgements from any false modest
| or timidity. May God bless and say
: us ali.


e Sweet, dear, dear Dita, we will soc


meet again. Till then, adieu, for ii
d last time.


Your devoted husband, JOSEPH FIR
g 1t may be well to state that the lett


necessarily omits all reflections on tt
/; Spanish Government, but before h
e death Fry gave utterance very forcibl
P to his opinions on that subject, his S
It lence only coming with his death.-Ne
!! Orleans Times.


1t Communist-A man ready to divi


with anybody who has more th'
,o hInaca1f