The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-04

nineteen years ago,-hOw was it possible
could forget the unguarted hour p
, The words were repeated by every voice
believe, in the multitude in succession, AM
the sound was fearful. The unguar5ee
nour said the Judge to himself, looking TO-
wards the magistrate, calmly, as if the
question had scarcely more meaning than
"nen uttered in echo by the crowd.
:. les, cried the widow aloud, his guar
uian angel was then away > and she con-
eiuueu' ny accusing the magistrate, her
own penetactor, and the gracious master OF
the deceased husband. as the murderer.
one has been long, almost ever since the
ia'al event, IN state of insanity.' said the
magistrate to the judge and turning to his
oncers, babe them 10 take the HELPLESS
creature away. "p-'''
VIII not go-I will have iustice.' she
exclaimed, wrestling with the officers. as
Ihey attempted toremove her. The crowd
renamed as if frozen into silence.
GOOD woman said the iudpe comnas-
sionately, you know not what Won saw
do, do, let me be heard va har
Wild reply; and the multitude in the SAM
instant cried cut, let her be heard, let her
b. heardi' ne
TINS is a Vexatious business said the
Judge 10 the magistrate, for the charter nv
winch the asslze is held at this place sbliges
me 10 receive the charge, and cannot de-
part from Its ordinances. norris her evident
INSANITY valid reason to reject the ACCUSE
tioh' GOOD woman why do you persist in
THIS extravaganza, there is no evidence TO
sustain the CHARGE
Ihere Is ltyou will listen, she inpatient
ly again CRIED and with earnest gestures
and surprising eloquence endeavored by in
humefable condolences, that she had re-
marked IN The conduct of the magistrate. to
show the grounds of her sudden suspicion.
During the whole time that she contn
ued speaking the spectators listened with
tne greedlest ears, and before she had fin
Ished her lmpassionei appeal, it was mani
test that they were all convinced that the
magistrate was indeed the murderer. The
Judge listened to all she said with intense
attention, but the accused maintained his
wonted equanmity. was astonished that
he could do so, for some of her reasons.
though far from probability, were of the
most touching and pathetic kind: doubt
less all she said was void of evidence still.
however, 1t was fearfully impressive, and
could not myself withstand it's enefpv.-
When she had rather exhausted her strength
than finished what she had 10 say, the Judge
repeated solemnly-
Protect US, Heaven, from having aupbt
to conceal from such igilance-this is thy
work, and comes not within the possibilities
OF human law! There is reason. according
10 the charter, that ii regular trial should be
proceeded with, and let the indictment be
The feelings of the multitude were exeit-
ed to the utmost, and took utterance in IA
loud shout, not Of joy or of gladness but
deep, solemn, and awful sound, whose mlght
and majesty were portentously increased by
the distant low hollow echo of the hills.
The accused stood statue of CONSERVATION
tor moment. | looked at him with indies
ctbable emotion, but the paleness which
oserspread his complexion vanished, and he
appeared as serene and self-collected as
before.
While the papers were being written 1
observed the Judge speaking TO the poor
woman, and heard him sympathizingy N
qulre respecting the age Of her husband,
his general appearance, and the manner 10
which he was dressed to which she gave
brief but distinct answers, as if the living
presence of the murdered man had been
seen actually before her. She was, how
ever, impatient at the Judges questions, and
answered him peevishly, forgetting the re-
spect due to his dignity: indeed the ques-
tons, al the time, seemed TO me frivolous
| could not discern their propriety, nor why
so grave an officer, the representative OF
the emperor and king, should SO far lose all
consciousness Of the place and the occasion
us to speak to her in the manner he was do
ing He asked, for example, the color Of
her husbands hair, and she answered black
and that he wore his cap gallantly dotted
then after some other inquiries as insgnii-
cant, he spoke of his coat and the color Of
it, hut she lost temper and after telling
him 1t was blue, entreated he would mo-
probe her wounded remembrance with mat
tiers of that kind.
In the mean time the magistrate was en-
gagged with an advocate who was perfect,
convinced, and so expressed himself, thai
the trial would soon be safely over. AL
together the scene was most singular, bu
the passion of the crowd was become ap
pallng, and ! was fearful lest, the magis
trate should be made the victim of som,
outrage. Himself calm, and certain tina
no evidence, could sully him, he was vet Wis
IDLY disturbed and saw him once or twic,
start, and shudder, no dosbt amazed tina
such a delirious accusation should hav
been so strangely imagined against hin
When all the requisite forms were com
pleted he was directed to place himself a
the bar; and the judge according to tn
charter, called him by name to answer /
God, who was there present, for the Grim
OF which he was accused. At that momen
and before he could reply, the sun darted
bright and golden ray upon the forehead {
the judge, and made him shine as if he ha
been crowned with halo. Allthe specta
tors were witnesses to this glorious symbol
and | could scarcely cont oil my trembln!
limbs, so much did it shake my whole frame
The accused was evidently affected, bu
he had such mastery Of himself that he an
swered " Not Guilty"
A pause sometime ensued, and then the
widow was requested TO come forward with
her evidence. She advanced, and suddenly
cried, 81 have but these tears
The advocate. with whom the accuseu
had been consulting rose, and aDnadverting
on the insanity of the charge, demanded an
acquttal.
'Stop,' said the judge solemnly, the or
der and provisions of the charter have not
vet been all fulfiled--bid the trumpets
sound thrice
The silence of the multitude was dread
full the trumpets sounded, and the judge
rising from his seat. Ieverentially uncovered
his hoary head, and said with "A voice of the
lowliest humility,
Heaven, send forth thy witness