In case of a conviction for any offense where the punishment has been fixed at a fine or imprisonment in the county jail, or workhouse, or by both such fine and imprisonment, the court in which any such conviction was had, or the judge thereof in vacation, or any associate circuit judge before whom such conviction was had, may, for good cause shown, by order entered of record, or in writing signed by such judge or associate circuit judge, grant a stay of execution on any such judgment of conviction and sentence thereon for a definite period of time to be fixed by the court, judge or associate circuit judge granting the same, not to exceed six months, upon the defendant or some person for him entering a recognizance conditioned for his surrendering himself in execution at the time and place fixed by the judgment of such conviction or sentence on a day to be named in such order.