Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-07-22

mad any thing OF |" dead, dull hang
look" He had e.on the sagacity,
though against the opinion of the attor-
ney, to strike off one country gentle.
man from his own barony, friend OF
his in other respects, but who owed
him balance Of three pounds for ilic.
il whiskey. Two or three sets of alibi
witnesses, to watch the evidence for the
crown, and lay the yenpe Of his absence
from the felony according to circum-
stances, were in waiting, and what was
equally material, all tolerabIy SOBER
The most formidable witness for the
prosecution had that morning been
bought of. The consideration was
first cousin Of Larry's IN marriage,
forty shilling freehold upon Larry's farm
with apig and n plough to set the young
couple going. Tins prepared, and his
counsel now arrived, and the hustle OF
his final Instructions 10 his attorney
and circumstanding friends Being over
the prisoner calmly committed the rest
to fortune, resembling in this particular
the intrepid mariner. who, perceiying
storm at hand, is all energy and alert.
ness to provide against its fury, until,
having done all that skill and forethought
can effect, and made his vessel as snug
and tight as the occasion will permit,
he looks TRANQUILITY on as she drifts be.
fore the gale, assured that her final safe
ty is now in other hands than his.
The trial went on after the usual
fashion Of trials Of the kind. Abundance
Of hard swearing on the direct re-
fractions and contradictions on the
cross examinations. The defence
was masterpiece. Three several
times the rope seemed irrcvocabIy en-.
twihed round poor Larry's neck-as
many times the dexterlty OF his coun-
sci untied the Gordian knot. From
some of the witnesses he extracted that
they were unworthy Of all credit, being
notorious knaves or process servers
Others he inveigled into metaphysical
puzzle touching the prisoners identity
Others he stunned by repeated blows
with the butt end Of an Irish joke. For
minutes together the court and jury and
galleries and dock were in a roar
However the law or the facts might
turn out, it was clear that the laugh at
least was all on Larry's side. In. this
p2rilous con juncture, amidst all the rap
id alterations OF his case--now the
prospect Of a triumphant return to his
home and friends, now the sweet vision
abruptly dispelled, and the gibbet and
executioner staring him in the face
Larry's countcnance exhibited pic
ture Of herocal immoblity. Once and
once only, when .he evidence was rush
ing in a full tide against h'm, some slgus
of mortal trepldation overcast his Wis
age. The blood in his cheeks took
flight and fled--a cold perspiration burst
from his brow. His lips became glued
together. His sister, whose eyes were
rvited upon him, as she hung from the
dock-side, extended her arm and appll-
ed piece of orange to bis mouth. He
accepted the relie!, but. like an exhaust
ed patient, without turning aside to see
by whose hands it was administered.-
At this crisis of his courage, home
thrust from O'Connel Hoored the wit
ness who had so discomposcd his cli-
ent /; the pubIick buzzed their admira-
ton and Larry was himself again. The
case for the crown having closed. the
prisoners counsel announced that he
would call no witnesses. Larry's friends
pressed hard to have one at least OF the
alibis's proved. The counsel was in
flexible, and they reluctantly submit
ted. The case went to the jury loaded
with hanging matter, but still not with
out Saving doubt. After long delib.
GRAFTON the doubt prevailed. The ju-
ry came out. and the glorious sound of
not guilty, announced to Larry Cronan
that for this time he had miracufously
escaped the gallows. He bowed with
undissembled gratitude to the verdict
He thanked his lordship's honour. He
thanked his counsel--shook hands with
the jailor-sprung at bound over the
dock, was caught as he descended in the
arms of his friends, and hurried away
in triumph to the precincts Of the court.
saw him few minutes after, as he
was paraded through the main street OF
the town on his return to his barony.-
The sight was enough to make one al
most long to have been On the point Of
being hanged. The principal figure
was Larry himself advancing with firm
and b1oyant step, and occasionally CIV
ing a responsive flourish Of his cudgei,
which he had already resumed, to the
cheeriugs and congratulations amidst
which he moved along. At his sides