A Poor Hangman.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 2978, 3 October 1893, Page 4

A Poor Hangman.

An ex-hangman’s life, it would appear, is not a happy one. Thereby hangs a tale. James Berry, the discarded successor of Marwood, has addressed a pathetic epistle to tho TJndersheriffs of London, beseeching to be “ taken on” again. He has tried his best to get work of any kind, but his late profession tells against him. Prejudices die hard, and the profession in question is not yet regarded in the light of pure reason as highly respectable. Berry’s is certainly a hard case. “ People are afraid of me,” he says, or afraid to give me employment. I always held good and trusted positions before I was hangman. But such is the stigma on the person who holds such an office. My wife has completely broken down in health with the worry and trouble of the affair. My daughter, eleven years of age, I have had to bring away from the JSevenoaks Hospital, in Rent, owing to my embarrassment and financial difficulty. I am now ruined, and a deal worse off than I was before I took the appointment. My homo was a happy one before, but now nothing looks bright.” All which is “ vvery affectin’,” as old "Weller would say, and reminds one of Mr Squeers’s summing-up of his own domestic situation. 44 My family!” hiccuped Mr Squeer’s, raising his eye to the ceiling ; 44 my daughter, as is at the age when all the sensibilities is a coming out strong in blow ; my son as is the young Norval of private life and the pride and ornament of a doting village—here’s a shock for a family ! The coat of arms of the Squeerses is tore, and their sun is gone down into the ocean wave !” So it is, I fear, with the Berrys. Mr B. pleads humbly for 44 a fresh start in life” and 44 portion of the work,” promising to fall in with “ any views the Prison Commissioners -have made,” and undertaking, somewhat suggestively, to 44 keep every move strictly private.” It is doubtful, however, whether the publication of this precious epistle will remove the cloud which circumstances have caused to settle on the path of Mr Berry’s earthly pilgrimage.