[Written for The Flag of our Union.]

The Sheriff’s Story

by James Dabney

"Every one must die at some time, and I suppose it matters little in what form the end comes.”

So spoke John Gibson, one of a party of friends who were gathered around a genial fire in the rooms of our mutual friend, the sheriff of L—.

“I don’t know,” said the sheriff, “but it always struck me that it does matter how the end comes.”

“If you must die,” said Gibson, “what is it to you, after a few brief minutes?”

“Very true,” responded the sheriff. “A man’s life is easily taken, and all modes have the same result. But then, I think one ought to consider the amount of suffering or disgrace involved in the method.”

“Most persons, I suppose, would prefer to die in their beds,” said Gibson. “This I do not refer to, however—I speak of death by violence. If I were doomed to death, I would be careless, as to the means used.”

“You think so, now,” remarked the sheriff, “but if it should come to the scratch, I think you would shun a death that involved suffering.”

“Don’t all the modes known, involve suffering?”

“The majority, but not all. For instance, being guillotined, would be far preferable to being burned at the stake. Indeed, the guillotine is really a humane mode of punishment. The knife drops, the victim feels a cold pressure on the neck, and then all is over.”

“You are quite eloquent,” said Gibson, laughing. “What do you think of the garrote?”

“I have been told that the method was not a torture,” was the reply. “Eminent physicians have informed me that, besides a slight choking sensation there is no pain in this method. The horrible contortion, and blackening of the face, has caused many to think the garrote a fearful torture; but… Read More