A STRAIN ON CREDULITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1816, 16 April 1888, Page 3

A STRAIN ON CREDULITY.

We h»ve observed several wondetfal stories of late respecting the skill of the Ohineße ex? outioDers, who, it ia said, o*n strike off the heads of their victims so skilfully that the poor fellows themselves never discover their loss until a moment or two after they are dead. We reoall to mind, however, the story of a German exeoutloner who far surpassed the Chinese m professional dexterity. Upon one occasion it happened thai a criminal who was condemned to death had a singular itching to play at nine pins, and he implored permission to play onco more at his favorite game before he dkd. Tren he said, he wou'.d submit to his fate without a murmur. Tdo Judge, thinking < hero could be no barm m humouring him, granted his last prayor, and npoo arriving ! at the place of execution he found everything prepared for the game, the pins being set up and the bowls all ready. He commenced his favorite sport with enthusiasm. After awhile the Sheriff, observing that he showed no iuolinatlon to deeiat, mnde a sign to the executioner to strike the fatal blow while he stooped for a bowl. The executioner did so, but with Booh exquisite dexterity that the culprit did not notice or feel it. He j thought, indeed, that a cold breath of air was blowing on his neck, and drawing h : imelf back with a shrug, his head dropped forward into his hands. He naturally supposed that, it was a bowl he had grasped and, aelz'ng it firmly, rolled it at the pins. AH of them fell, and the head was heard to exolaim, as it rebounded from the further wail : "Hurrah! I've won the game."