Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-28

at the shop to rectily the error, he produced
the receipt, TO which the name of George
Selden was attached. lie also proved thai,
he paid the money 10 Selden, no other per-
son being near at the time. Messrs. Will
liams' and Webb's cash keeper, when pu,
into the witness box, sworc that the prisoner
had never handed over to him the sum mem
toned in the charge, as 1t was lis duty when
he had received it. To this direct evidence
other circumstances of crlminatorv nature
were added. 1t was shown that Seden
evinced desire to quit his situation on the
day after he received the money; that he
had previously left humble for more ele-
giant lodging; tina, he had, since resigning
his employment, been living at somewhat cx-
pensive rate that, when sent for, he for
wardcd an impairment refusal TO see his late
employers; and finely, i, was inferred that
he supported his extravagances out of the
proceeds of the frauds committed on his en-
poyers.
While this evidence was accommodating, the
unfortunate young man seemed overwhelmed
with shame. BY the time it was concluded,
his frame trembled violently with agitation d;
he became ashy pale and when asked what
defence he had to make TO the accusation,
he was unable to speak. His silence was
constructed into a reservation of his defence
for another tribunal, and he was forthwith
committed to Newgatc, to take his trial at
! the ensuing season of the central criminal
court.
When George Selden told Mrs. Cooper
and her daughter they would most likely here
OF him in the newspapers, he little thought
how soon and how fatally that likelihood
would become realised. The morning after
his commitment, the woman of the house in
which the Coopers lived entered their room
pale and agitated, bringing with her news
paper containing report of her former lodg-
er's examnation.-The shock which the
news communicated to Bessie was terrible
She sunk upon her mothers neck, utterinc
cries OF grief, that were for time heart-ren.
ding. When the violence other sorrow had
somewhat abated, she sat down IN a chair
rocking backward and forward, her hands
clasped over her knees in apparen, s,upor-
picture of mute despair.
1t is characteristic Of some woman, tina
while they evince IN the ordinary affairs o
existence the mos, timid and retiring temper
: ament, they are capable, in circumstances o
, difficulty and danger of invincible energy
. 1t was thus with Bessie Cooper. Instead o
slupor Got which she exhibited outward signs,
she was employed in deep thought. A con
viction, which, thong h totally unsupported
was still convection, assured her of George
; innocence, and added a strength of resolv,
and determination of manner quite new Il
her character. She rose from her seat as
from sleep, and taking the newspaper, reat
the report with the utmos, attention.
with all his faults and figh,iness,' sait
Mrs. Cooper, Il cannot believe him guilty
Your father has often trusted HIM with all III
; possessed in the world without suspicion
The landlady, hitherto silent actor il
the distressing scene, here put in her testi
nony to the punctuality of her late lodgcr'
payments; test of morality deemed b.
London clearinghouse keepers perfectly in
tallibe.
That day Bessie Cooper did not attend a
Mr.. Webb's private house as usual to in
struct his children but, accompanied b.
her mother, went to his place of bushes,
She entered his couning-house alone. Nh
Webb received her with great surprise, bu
with melancholy expression of kindness
which showed how deeply he sympalhlse
S with her sullerings, at the same time he wa
struck with the calm tirmness of her manner
t She stated her errand without circumlocu
ton: she wished an order TO be procured t
: see the culp rit in Newgate.
e AS may be expected, Mr.. Webb was as
= tonished at this request. The young VIC
o mans manner, SO earnest, almost dignifed
= forbade the supposilion that the wish aros
= from mere girlsh desire to see and con
f verse with lover. lie enquired her reaso
= for so strange request.
n Because. sir, know he is innocent va
n the reply.
r Indeed! am sure need not say no,
y happy should be if any fresh facts could b
!. brought to light to stem the strong current @
;, evidence which has set in against him.
:, Il have no such facts replied Bessie, 'bu
d | have known him from childhood; we grew
wye brought up together, and'-here he
: utterance was choked by rising tears IAN
: | am convinced he is incapable of what
g charged to him. wish to see him, to lear
the exact circumstances of the transactio
concerning which he IS suspected
There was something so rational and bus
ness-like in all this, that Mr.. Webb imme
1t diately sent to the sitting alderman for til
required order, and Bessie and her mothe
4 were soon on their way to the gloomy man
sion of crime.
g They entered the prison, and were usher
ed by the turnkey into narrow passage, on
side Of which consisted of strong and closely
II placed iron bars, the other Of a dead wal
If Behind the bars, there was a small yarc
n with door leading into kind of cell at III
e extremity Of it. Selden who had hardy re
e covered from the shock Of his commitment
:, saw with amazement who had come TO con
j. sole him IN his atiliction; he covered hi
face with his hands, and wept like child.
!, Bessie, knowing how much depended o
d 6rmness and an uncouded brain, intricate
Is him to be calm. She then questioned hir
II infinitely about live transactions of the da
!, on which the money he was accused of EN-
y bezzeing was paid. She implored him t
]. lax his memory to the utmost, so as to te
e her everything tina, happened on that MOI
% ming. He could, however, rccollect moth