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I
shot Zeb McGrew like they said.
Lord!
I wanted him dead!
Thump,
thomp.
Judge
Waller wagged his scrawny harsh finger.
“I
condemn you to hell, an’ you ain’t gonna
linger.”
Thump,
thomp.
A
meaner man you never knew, that Zeb McGrew.
I’m
glad I shot him, through and through.
Thump,
thomp.
But
the price I’m payin’ is way too great.
A
little longer I pine, for hell to wait.
Thump,
thomp.
Preacher
George came bent on savin’ my soul.
But
my heart’s a rock, hard and cold.
Thump,
thomp.
He
prayed, he begged, he pleaded, til he near
faint.
Heaven
I’d like. But hell you know, a Saint, I
ain’t.
Thump,
thomp.
Come
sunup a thumpin’ commenced deep in my
chest.
I
ain’t scared. I’ll die like a man. Oh
Jesus! I’ll do my best.
Thump,
thomp.
They
nailed them planks out yonder for me.
A
boisterous crowd is ah drawing, I can see.
Thump,
thomp.
Well
here’s Sheriff Skyler, no friend of mine.
This
much I know, he’s Zeb McGrew’s kind.
Thump,
thomp.
Pathetic
faces all about. Men, women,—and children
too.
I
see hate, pity, sorrow, fear, and laughter.
I’ll give them their do.
THUMP,
THOMP.
Up
these steps I go and never to come down.
I’m
a commin’ Lord! And I won’t need no
crown.
THUMP,
THOMP.
Any
last words? Skyler sneers.
I
got some—but not for his ears.
THUMP,
THOMP.
Say
now, a dusty old rope?
A
new one, I’d hoped.
THUMP!
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