The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-05


one of his friends, 'to hang an innocent
man.
That is very true replied one of the
opposite side, 'but then you know that it
is better that twenty innocent persons
should be hung than one guilty one should
escape; so the maxim says
why, as to the MAXIM said Jonathan
Standabout, there may be something in
that But still, / have hitherto been in
favor of the acquittal of poor David, be-
cause had my doubts about his being
guilty. Howsoever, all manner Of doubts
must yield TO circumstances. So far as /
can see, the evidence is by no means clear
as to the fellows guilt. But then, on the
other hand, who is he, that twelve respec-
table men should starve for his life? A
fellow, at best of doubtful reputation; a
man who, if he is not guilty Of this, or
some other murder, may very well be
spared from the world
There is much truth in what you say,
said Ichabod Avery; but then, consider,
how shall we answer to our God and our
consciences, for our verdict?
True said Joseph Judgment, there's
the rub. l acknowledge the prisoner to
be of little or no value to the community.
and as likely to be guilty of murder as
the best of US. But then we are bound
to decide according to evidence
And what said Obadiah Lankey, is
to become of our stomachs in the mean
time? am as conscientious as any other
man, don't care who he is; and think
I've proved it well, too, in standing out as
l have. But all things must yield to cir>
cumstances. as neighbor Standabout says,
and selfpreservation is the first law of ma
ture, as another gentleman observed ;
wherefore, for one, I'm bound for having
some dinner
And l too said Christopher Comea>
bout, Il pity the poor wretch of prison.
er, and you all know have fought hard
for his acquittal. But to go the length of
starving on his account, couldn't posi-
bly, think Of it,
But have you no mercy, no bowels of
compassion 2 said Icbabod Avery.
Bowels of compassion 7 exclaimed O.
hadiah Lankey, pressing his hands upor'
the gastric region-'how can a man have
bowels of compassion when there isn't a
morsel of anything in his stomach The
idea is preposterous.'
you are exactly Of my mind said
Jonathan Standabout. Charity begins
at home, and it is our bounden duty to
take care of ourselves. whatever may be-
come of other people. For my part, the
evidence of David's guilt begins to look
much clearer than it did short time ago.
At any rate. considering all things, 1 think
we can't do better than to hang him.
i can't agree with you there said Jo>
seph Judgment. Il must still adhere to
the poor fellow, though l am starving; l
can't get over my oath, my conscience,
aud all that
Your conscience I? exclaimed Comea-
bout what sort of conscience is that
which prefers the life of poor wretch of
doubtful reputation to the comforts of a
good dinner. which no one among us is
disposed to doubt As TO the prisoner,
I'd stick to him till all was blue, if l wasn't
so internal hungry. But Pm not bound
to commit murder on my stomach.
Wherefore, gentlemen, much as l re,
greet the taking of any innocent mans life,
must in this case agree TO verdict Of
guilty
We'll, WE'LL said Joseph Judgment,
looking at his watch, it's hard Casa
monstrous hard case. 1t wants but a
quarter of an hour to dinner time-and
our landlord informed me that he should
cook those fine canvass-backs. The pris-
oner, as far as can understand the evil
dence, is as likely TO be innocent as guil>
ty; l don't know what to think, indeed.
One thing is certain, however, must
have some dinner-I can't think of starv-
ing-my conscience won't allow me.
Gentlemen, III agree to anything that's
reasonable
I'm very glad, sir said one of the o.
riginal seven who were in favor of hang
iug-Pm very glad you have finally con-
cluded to listen to reason. We are all a.
greed now except one, and | think he'll
come over in time to dine. What say you,
friend Avery, shall we hang the prisoner
and 90 to dinner, OF noP
why, indeed, gentlemen, don't know
what to say see no satisfactory proof of
the mans being guilty. It's hard case,
a COMPOUNDED hard case. Our dinner must
nearly be ready and something ought to
be determined on soon. Really, gentle
men, l think you had better agree to ac-
quit him.
oh, we can't do that, positively said
another of the original seven. "A MAORI
ty of us have been for hanging from the
first; and now all the others have come
over except you-eleven against ONE
1T wants but ten minutes Of the din
ner hour said Obadiah Lankey.
Only ten minutesP exclaimed Icha>
bod. I've done. Oh, my stomach Let
the man be hungp
we are all agreed, them said the fore
man. And verdict Of GUILTY was re-
turned in time for dinner.