Bob Younger's Fate — page 217: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

208. BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. I can only promise you escape from death by hang- ine? | ‘How is that?” “By pleading guilty to the crimes you have com- | mitted.’’ | ‘‘Never!’’ “It is a matter of life and death with you; and | when aman is in such a situation he need not be at | all delicate regarding the means of escape, so that it becomes an accomplished fact.’’ “Will that secure our point?’’ “Certainly. The State law of Minnesota is such that if a murderer pleads guilty the death penalty cannot be inflicted, but imprisonment for life is sub- stituted as the punishment. Now, should you re- fuse to follow my advice you will surely be con- victed, and the consequent penalty ensues. Should - imprisonment be the sentence it would not surprise me much to find that afew years’ exemplary life in. _ the penitentiary would enable you to pass out from its walls free men. Be guided by my advice.”’ It was a bitter struggle with pride and passion ar- ranged against the better judgment of the felons, but judgment won the day, and when the lawyer left it was with the understanding that his clients should throw themselves upon the clemency of the court by a full confession. This was done, and one day the iron doors of the = gloomy penitentiary at Stillwater opened to receive them into its dark and fearful abode, a life of si- _ lence to atone in part for a life of ceaseless and murderous activity. . Has the atonement been ample? Has justice been satisfied? Does the blood of the slain still cry to Heaven for vengeance? | : Who can answer that question? Man has done what as a community of civilized society he thought sufficient. The expiation is not yet complete; two brothers are still paying the penalty of their crimes—the third? Alas! death comes to all sooner or later, . comicbooks