Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-01


forgery; and Of course, after what had taken
place, we did not propose to call Hornby for
the defence. The evidence for the crown con-
sisted, therefore, on the day of trial, of the tes
timony Of persons acquainted with Hombv,s
signature, that the acceptance across the ;,cul.
pated bill was not in his hand writing Bur-
tons behavior at the bank, in endeayorinp ,p
repossess himself Of the bill by violence. was
Of course detailed, and told heavily against him.
All the time this testimony was being given,
Hornby sat on one Of the front seats of the
crowded court, exulting in the visible accom-
plishment of his Satanic device. We could
see but little Of his face, which, supported on
his elbow, was partially concealed by hand
! kerchief he held in his hand. But L, who mar
rowly observed him, could occasionally discern
flashes from under his pent brows-reveal-
ments Of the fierce struggle which ragged with
in.
The moment at last arrived for the prisoner,
whose eyes had been for some time fixed on
Hornby, to speak or read his defence, and
breathless silence pervaded the court.
Burton started at the summons like man
Unexpectedly recalled to a sense of an imperi-
Gus, but moment forgotten duty.
James Hornby he suddenly cried with a
voice which rang through the assembly like a
trumpet, stand up, and if YOU can, face an in
nocent man.
Hornby, surprised out of his selfpossession,
mechanically obeyed the strange order, sprang
involuntarily to his feet, let fall the handker-
chief that had partially concealed his features,
and nervously confronted the prisoner.
Look at me, | say, continued Burton, with
increasing excitement; 'and as you hope to
escape the terrors of the last judgment, answer
truly: did you not, with your own hand, and
in my presence, sign that billr
This cannot be permitted interrupted the
judge.
If YOU do not speak, proceeded the prison.
er, needless of the intimation from the bench
'or if you deny the truth, my life, as sure as
there is God in heaven, will be required at
your hands. If, in consequence of your devil
ish plotting, these men consign me TO felons
gravel shall not be cold in it when YOU will
be calling upon the mountains to fall and cover
you from the vengeance of the Judge of heaven
and earth! Speak, man-save me; save your
own soul from mortal peril, whilst there is yet
time for mercy and repentance =
Hornby's expression of surprise and confu-
sion had gradually changed during this appeal
TO its usual character of dogged impassibilty.
He turned calmly and appealingly towards the
bench
You need not answer these wild adurations,
Mr.. Hornby,' said the Judge, as soon as he
could make himself heard.
A smile curled the fellows lip as he bowed
deferentially to his lordship, and he sat down
without uttering a syllable.
May the Lord, then, have mercy on my
soul = exclaimed the prisoner solemnly. Then
glancing at the bench and jury-box, he added.
And you, my lord and gentlemen, work your
will with my body as quickly as you may
am lost man.
The calling of witnesses to character, the
opening of the judges charge, pointing from
its first sentence to a conviction, elected no
further manifestation of feeling from the pris-
oner he was as calm as despair
The judge had been speaking for perhaps
ten minutes, when hustle was heard at the
hall, as if persons were striving to force their
way into the body of the court in spite Of the
resistance of the officers.
Who is that disturbing the court . de-
manded the Judge, angrily.
For the love of heaven let me pass we
heard uttered in passionate tones by female
voice. Il must and will see the Judge"
Who can this be,' inquired, addressing
Mr.. Symonds.
Il cannot conceive he replied surely not
Mrs. Burton,
had kept my eye, as spoke, upon Hornby,
and noticed that he exhibited extraordinary
emotion at the sound of the voice, to whom
soever it belonged, and was now endeavoring
to force his way through the crowded and anx
ious auditory.
MY lord said l, Il have to request on the
part Of the prisoner, that the person desirous
of admittance may be heard
What has she to say, Or if a material
witness, why have you not called her at the
proper time = replied his lordship with some
irritation.
INV lord. | do not even know her name but
in case involving the life of the prisoner, it
is imperative that no chance be neglected
Let the woman pass into the witness box
interrupted the Judge,
The order brought before our eyes pale,
stunted woman of about fifty years of age,
whose excited and by no means unintelectual
features, and hurried, earnest manner, seemed
to betoken great and unusual feeling
sAs I'm alive, Hornby's deformed house.
heeper' whispered Symonds. This poor
I fellows knot will be unravelled yet
The woman, whose countenance and de-
meanor, as she gave her evidence, exhibited a
serious, almost solemn intelligence, deposed
to the following effect
Her name was Mary M'Grath, and she was
the daughter of Irish parents, but born and
brought up in England. She had been Mr..
Hornby's housekeeper, and remembered well
the 4th of February last, when Mr.. Burton.
the prisoner, called at the house. Witness
was busting in the apartment close 10 her mas