Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-25

clerk Of the arraignS slartt d, anu hastHy VIZ
few words upon scrap OF paper, WIZ WIZ" ~
threw across 10 me in the dock. WIN 'ne
help Of my specta cles, which were tor'".a'v
on nv nose, Fad these words: n na" III NV
indie ,men,! For God SAKE! move the court
Ynnr,S in haste. TO command" Move the
court, The law and bau never met before
knew not what it meant, nor what to dc: all
knew was, rha, death and disgrace were staring
me- in the face. l cas-. an impiorlng look al
the attorney, who instantly whispered olsen
eagrd COUNSEL, who mad just before dealt WIN
his las, brief. The young bsriister immeai-
a,eiy addressed the court: MY iord, on lne
part OF the prisoner, move an arrest OF 'uag,
men," The Court was amazed, and so indeed
was
The indictment was handed to the Judge, who
seemed much surprised. and somewhat tHcre
dulous. After lookig keeny through the
parchment, 10 assure himself 'bat my safety
was inevitable, aud after few words of angry
parle wi h the pecran' clerk 81 the arraigns, ne
threw off The black cap with jerk, and IN
formed me that NE humanity oil he law o''rh
allowing technical error to save the creates
criminals, i, had become his duyto postpone
the passing sentence, and lay my case before
the twelve judges. (Alas! twelve, Uhep one
had, as thought, destroyed mr) IL was like
wise, he said, his duty to inform me that my
life might probably be saved. Then, in tone
Of great bitterness, he congratulated me upon
this circumstance; taking pains 10 assure me,
that had j, not been for an accidental error,
which had thrown the undesrrved protection
Of the Law around me, there was more than en-
GU eh in the aggravated character oil my case TO
have determined him to leave me TO the tate
| which so Justly belonged to crimes like mine.
He said hat he was an old man, and had lved
TO see many deplorable exhibitions OF The de-
pra,ity Of human nature: that he had met WIN
many profligate and wicked characters, and
some hardened sinners, "but never" continued
this unconsciously unjust judge, "nevef has II
been ill now my fortune TO meet with such an
instance Of consummale hypocrisy as is pre-
scented in your person ! may SOY you are
finished actor--you are even dressed Tor the
pat: your hair is Cut, and your cravat Is plat
ed for it. The Gaming tone OF your-voice 100
all is in keeping! You will retire, Sir, in
custody: and should your life be saved, (Which
am bound to say il may,> ADD should yos not
be TOO old in iniquity % profit by good advice,
which fear you are) let me recommend you
10 consider the event OF this day, as an usetul
and awful arning, instead OF making j, Gas
doubt not you will do) the subjret OF ribaId
lest with your loose companions. Jailor, re-
charged me-, God knows how unirulv! with
having taken the purse with force and arms,
aid againt the peace Of our Sovereign Lord the
King, his crown and dignity. Had i, as am
informed, only said something about a statute
made and provided, ], who never used force tor
any thing in my life, nor any arms but those
was born with; who love my King, and know
Yhh FaSe h %sE s6Sr 81 hi. part
Of my history, in a few weeks, by due course OF
law, found myself with my life preserved, my
liberty restored, and my fame aud happiness
utterly blasted!
nv first act after my enlargement was to
Call upon The friendIy attorney WHOSE timely in
reference had saved my life. He drew himself
up when he saw me. aud refused my preferred
hand. 'No, sir said he: Il cannot accep, ynur
thanks, Will, / should be ashamed Of your ac-
qsain ance hold it my duty TO the profession
10 which belong, never, when no, eng aged
for the prosecution, to allow lAe life Of an limo
cent man to be taken away in my sight, without
giving him every chance he law admits him
TO. | will send you my bill, with the fee paid
to counsel But for MIR. -, as we'll as for
myself, must decline any personal intercourse
with one whose acqualnl ance could not fail TO
dishonor our character, and injure our prac
tice" With these words he molioned me to
the door, and desired his clerk 10 show me
down stairs. This person elbowed me as
passed him, and slammed the door in my face.
My wife had been absent nearly Two years.
wrote 10 her and desired her to come home
and to meet me at Calais, under the name Of
Perkins, for that circumstances which would
hen explain had rendered this necessary. |
ended with these words: 'Br not uneasy at my
atersd appcarance--I am a man Of many sor-
rows. BE not surprised il should long be ST.
lent on all that has passed-your curiosity shall
have full satisfaction in time: with your accus
toned obedience 10 my wishes, avoid all topics
which can larry my mind back 10 my former
siate-le, US have new amusements, new pros
poets, new names-I am changed in many
wavs, blu, will find me the same in my con.
stan, Election for you. Till death your faith
full husband, Peter Perkins,
Month after month passed away, and now
expected her speedy arrival. ] wen, 10 Calais
II wa, la:e in tie evening wien / arrived, and
had some difficulty in finding the ho,eI Of
Mons. With beating heart and ITEM