Leaving his study for a moment, he went to the barn floor, where a mule was at work on a horse-power, shelling corn. Patting him on the neck, the sleeve of his silk study gown caught in the cogs of the wheel, and his arm was torn out by the roots. His death occurred in a few hours. When he was dying his father said to him, "Dudley, your mother has your hand in hers, can you press it a little that she may know you recognize her?" The young man made no response. Later his father said, "Dudley, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?" He started, and said, "Know Him? He is my Saviour--my all. Father, stand up for Jesus!" USHER (James, Archbishop), 1580-1656. "_Lord, forgive my sins; especially my sins of omission._" His last words are sometimes given thus, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." VALDES (Gabriel de la Concepcion, commonly known as Placido),--1844. "_Here! fire here!_" Valdes was a full-blooded negro. He was executed with twenty other persons, for conspiracy to liberate the black population, the slaves of the Spanish inhabitants of Cuba. The execution took place at Havana, July, 1844. Seated on a bench, with his back turned, as ordered, to the soldiers appointed to shoot him, he said: "Adios, mundo; no hay piedad para mi. Soldados, fuego." "Adieu, O world; here is no pity for me. Soldiers, fire." Five balls entered his body. He arose, turned to the soldiers, and said, his face wearing an expression of superhuman courage:--"Will no one have pity on me? Here!" pointing to his heart, "fire here!" At that instant two balls pierced his heart and he fell dead. Little is known of him but his death, which was described in the _Heraldo_, of Madrid. "The Poems of a Cuban Slave," edited by Dr. Madden, are believed to have been the composition of the gifted Valdes. VANDERBILT (Cornelius "Commodore," President of New York Central Railroad under whose management that road was consolidated with the Hudson River Railroad. He laid the foundation of an extensive railroad system and of an immense family fortune), 1794-1877. "_Yes, yes, sing that for me. I am poor and needy_," to one who was singing to him the familiar hymn, "Come, ye sinners, poor and needy." VANE (Sir Henry), 1612-1662. "_Blessed be God, I have kept a conscience void of offence to this day, and have not deserted the righteous cause for which I suffer._" Vane was condemned for treason, and beheaded June 14, 1662. Vane, young in years, but in sage counsels old, Than whom a better senator ne'er held The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repelled The fierce Epirat and the African bold, Both spiritual power and civil thou hast learned: Therefore on thy firm hand religion leans In peace, and reckons thee her eldest son.--_Milton._ VANINI (Lucilio), 1585-1619. "_Illi in extremis prae timore imbellis sudor; ego imperturbatus morior._" See _Grammond, Hist. Gal. iii._ 211.