The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-01-30

was accused oil murder, and clrcumstantial
evidence was strong against him. 1t was
proved that previous quarrel had existed
between him and the murdered man, and thai
they had been seen 10 take the same road,
the prisoner in a state of intoxication, the
night the violent deed was committed. Most
people thought there was doubt of bis guilt
others deemed the case by no means certain.
Two OF the jury were reluctant 10 convicl
him and wished 10 find the evidence INSULT
cient; the penalty was so dreadful, and their
feelings were so much touched by the settled
misery of his youthful countenance. Others
talked sternly OF justice, and urged that the
Scripture demanded blood for blood. OF this
number was Peter Barker. From the be-
ginning, he was against the prisoner. The
lawyer who pleaded for him had once been
employed IN lawsuit against Mr.. Barker
and had gained the cause for his client. The
juryman cherished a grudge against him for
his sarcastic eloquence on that occasion.
Moreover, it so happened that neighbor
Goodwin, who years ago had reproved his
severity TO the horse, took compassionate in
terest in the accused. He often consulted
with his lawyer, and seemed 10 watch the
counienanee ofthe jury anxiously. II was
busy season of the year. and the jury were
impariehtto be al their workshops and farms.
Mr.. Barker would not have admitted it, even
TO himself but all these circumstances help
ed 10 increase his hardness against the pris-
oner. BY such inconceivaby slight motives
is The conduct of men often swayed on most
important occasions.
''lf the poor young fellow really did COM
nit the ACT" said one OF The jury, "it seems
likely that he did it in state of intoxicalion.
| was once drunk myself; and they told me
aflerward that had quarrelled with man,
and knocked him down high flight Of, steps;
but had no recollection Of it. II had Kill
led him, and they had hung me for it, what
an awful thing il would have been Tor my
poor father and mother. 1t taught me good
lesson, for | was never again intoxicated.
Perhaps this poor youth might profit by his
| dreadful experience, il Il chance were allow
ed him. He is so young; and there is moth
| ing bad in his countenance."
"As for his womanly face" replied Mr.
Barker, "there is no trusting 10 that. The
worst villains are not always the worst look
ing. As for his being intoxicated, there is
no telling whether it is true or not. Thai
cunning lawyer may have made up the story
for the sake Of exciting compassion, and the
witnesses may be more than willing enough
to believe everything strange in the prison.
er's conduct was The result of intoxication.
Moreover. t won't do 10 admit that plea in
extenuation; for then don't you see, a man
who wants 10 kill his enemy has only 10 gel
drunk in the first place? II anybody killed
my Joe, drbnk or not drunk, l should want
him 10 swing for it,"
By such remarks, urged in his vehement
way, he swayed minds more timid and len
ienf than his own, without being fully aware
of what he was doing. He was foreman oil
The Jury and when the awful moment ar
rived on which depended the fife of a fellow
being, he pronounced The word "Guilly," in
a strong, firm voice. The next instant his
eye fell on the prisoner, standing there SC
pale. and still looking al him with such fixed
despair. There was Something in the face
that moved him strongly. He turned quick
Iy away, but the vision was before him.
This is weakness" he said 10 himself. u
have merely done my duty. Tie law re-
quired it, have done my duly" But still
the pale young face looked at him; always
and everywhere il looked at him.
He feared 10 touch newspaper, for he
wished not 10 know when the day OF execu-
ton would arrive. But officious neighbors,
ignorant Of his state Of mind, were eager 10
talk upon the subject; and when drawn in>
10 such discourse, he strove 10 lortiiy his own
feelings by dwelling on all The worst circum-
stance Of The case. Notwithstanding all his
efforts, the night preceding the execution. he
had troubled dreams, in which The ghastly
young face was alwaysconspicuous. When
he woke, he saw it in the air. l: walked be-
side him as he ploughed the fields, it stood
before him on the threshold OF his own door.
hoI -fosl
came before him with painful distinctness.
Could there be doubt that the condemned
had really committed the murder? Was he
intoxicated? Might he have happened 10
be intoxicated for the first time in his life !!
And he so young! But he drove these
thoughts away; saying over 10 himself, ''Ihe
law required it. | merely did my duty"
Still everything looked gloomy TO him. The
evening clouds seemed like funeral pals, sand
pale despairing face gazed at him for
ever.
For the first time in his manhood, he crav-
ed companion in the darkness. Neighbors
came in, and described the execution; and
while they talked, the agita,ed juryman beat
the frebrands into q thousand pieces, and
spoke never a word They told how the
youth had written long letter 10 his mother,
/ dUu Idu uIcu Cditu thC
way. perhaps you knew his mother, Mr..
Bal kerr" said one : ''they tell me she used
10 live in this neighbOrhood. Do you re-
member a girl by the name OF Mary Will
liams?''
The longs dropped from Mr.. Barker's
hand, as he gasped Out, 'Mary Williams!
Was he her son? God forgive me Was
he her son 81 And the strong man laid his
head upon the table and wept
There was silence in The room. At last,
the loquacious neighbor said. III a subdued
tone, II am sorry hurt your feelings.
didn't know she was friend of yours
The troubled juryman rose hastily, walk
ed to the window, looked out al the stars, and
clearing his choked voice, said, sit is many
wears since knew her. But she was good
tempered, pretty girl; and it seems but yes
terday thai we used to go together TO pick our
baskets full of berries. And SO she was
his mother! | remember now there was
something in his eye that seemed familiar 10
me-"
Perhaps the mention Of Mary's beauty, or
,bo ,,,oI,;or r,ood so unusnal with her hus-