Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-08-13

YER al that bis vas, talents, all that his pralrs.
sIgua experience could iO. vas done. IS b.
|pr1ereded tho interest became intense. Ha
/ Iaw u upon tie syOi.esS chsmri-r 0i the accused
bis behaviour a ond after bis arrest, the contra.
dicii0us aud n.s.sslemeuis Of the Witnesses. The
want Of certainty ss 10 the reality ofthe murder,
and on the various topics which either could a.
rouse pity, excite admiration Or his client, or
raise a doubt as to the identity Of the body. In
commenting upon the contradictions Of the evt-
dence be was unusually severe. As he warmed
IN bis theme bis voice grew louder his eve kin
died, bis form JIa.ed, his gestures became more
impassioncd. until finally be- had fired his hear.
ers with portion Of his own feelings, carrying
them away before his impetuoUs coqueHce.-
When, as he concluded, he pointed to lh' group
in the bar, and in simple p9lhos, alluded to tie
eager interest with which that lovely wife watch
ed every step Of The trial; when he hIat.t al her
hopes and fears alternating with almost every
word; and when. by a sudden transition, he
brought before the jury another and higher
bar, at which they would answer for thcr yer.
dict, "A thrill ran through the vast assembly,
which was succeeded as he sat down By pause
Of fearful suspense. Every one drew a long
breath. The excited spectators were carried
with one universal desire for the prisoners ac.
qIual; while that prisoners VIII. silently pressed
his hand looking up into his face with q cen
sciousucs5 oftriUmph. Though her sweet eyes
swan with tears. they were those Of JOY rather
than Of sorrow.
Ills singular what a chang. few moments,
in the progress Of a trial, will sometimes make
in the feelings Of an audience. Like The ocean,
they are swayed ceasecssy 10 and fro, looking
inditiaren,ly on. or with partial interest 10 the
cause, and too often utter regardless yflue hearts
that are breaking at the event. Bul II was not
so in this. The calm, noble, self.colIrct=d bear
ing oithe accused, and the gentle. YET touching
looks Of his lovely young vile, had awakened an
interest in their favor, which made the hundreds
Of spectators catch eagerly u, any ray Of hope.
But alas. twas not only lAay WIN were The ar5i-
ters Of the prisoners fate.
The argument ofthe prosecution now began,
and was a most mastery display. Carefully eg-
logizing the cloquence ofmy colleague u.i he
had destroyed its power IN the minds Of the jury,
he proceeded 10 narrate the evidence in d.Ia.
but so carefully connecting it with the former
history Of my client as to create The impression
that The deed arose not from thirst for gold
He then boldly raunlod US with our want Of evi-
dence, and the known cxerlious We had made to
obtain it. In conclusion. ater dwelling upon
the character Of the deceased. he rccapltuIaled
the testimony again, Welding with incident. un,i.
the chain seemed perfectly irresistible. Al this
time by an apparent candor, and q show Of the
greatest tenderness and lbera,y, he had been
sapping the jury's sympathy for The defence. He
sal down, and murmur Of impauience ran thro
the crowd. In short. as the trial approached lis
end the suspense seemed growing nlocrabe.
The interest was intense. 4 few moments would
decide the prisoners fate forever.
The Judge began his charge. It too was long
talked OF afterwards for it3 eoquence. With u
firm voice he laid the case before the jury. never
suffering his sympathy for the prisoner 10 inter-
fere with his impartiaIity as Judge, and while
dwelling long and earnestly on the character OF
the accused, giving 10 every word of,he testimo.
ny It's full and terrible weight. He admitted that
there seemed mystery about the prisoner
connection with such crime, but he did not
think the discrepancies in the testimony Of the
witnesses more than natural, or that they failed
10 prove the identy Of the body. There can,
he said in conclusion, "be no reasonable doubt
that murder was commiued-and as liule. on
the testimony Of three unimpeachable Witnesses
that the body found was that Of Er. Wilson,
With you, gentlemen, it remains 10 say whether
under all the circumstances, the prisoner at the
bar is guilty Of that murder-and in your delb
eratons remember his former character, and thai
he is entitled 10 every doubt that may arise We
have both solemn duty to perform, in which
fellow creatures life is AT stake. Mine is now
done. | dismiss you TO yours; and may Goo
Almighty guide you Alright"
He ceased. For a moment, after the falterins
tones with which he finished had died away
there was profound silence, and then came ;
low. smothered sob, as OF feeling of suspense
too great to be supported. The prisoners wilt
was faIntingl
The jury retired. Few words were spoken
by those who remained, for all felt it was no time
for idle talk, Every eye was directed to the
group in the bar. But the bearing of the prison
er was as unruflcd as ever and no sign betolien
ed that like all around him. he felt the terrible
suspense. Calmly and sel.coectcd he sa
there, winding his arm around the slender form
Of his wife; while that wife burying her face il
his bosom, waited brea,hlessIy for The worc
which was to restore him 10 life. or send he
broken hearted TO the grave.
: At last the officer announced that the verde
; was made up, and the jury. following him will
slow and solemn steps, entered the box.
1t is always an eager moment when these ar
biters Of life and death appear, as the counle
nance of one or another of them generally beto
: kens, in an exciting trial, the result Of their deli
beralions. But in vain did | scan Them now
Save solemn. awful responsibility depicted OF
the face, there was nothing Of either hope o
: fear.
As the prisoner was ordered, according to tn
\ usual form, 10 stand up and look upon the iury
f convulsive culver passed across the face of hi
Y wife, and then, with breathless interest she gaz
2 ed upon the event.