The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-02-11

| ny uuut Woc ouPPNSV'
"Tbe will"
| eyes, that document which was con.
tanned in the letter which Mr.. Steele gave
to Miriam. you know"
ga document!---how come you to know
anything about that?" he asked, as if sud.
denly awakening from his dreamy state to
a consciousness of all that was going on
around him.
| "Oh, know all about it! You drew up
the first will, you remember, ten days be.
fore Mr.. Stesle's death, but this deed
which altered that disposal Of his property
and left it 10 his sister Fanny's child, was
executed the very day of his death, and
was stolen from Miriam while she slept
thought this probable, and acted as il
itwere certainty; but the man looked
surprised, and said, "Hs did not leave i,
all to her."
"No?-l'vs been misinformed then!-
how much did he leave!"
"Gesrge!" said the warning voice.
"How should know?" answered the
frightened man.
"Take the woman into custody" ex-
claimed the Judge, "if shes sdsturbs the
court againl" 10 So o [.
The man was now thoroughly alarmed
and perpleXed. nea ag Is.
"How much besides the house did he
leave to her?' asked, quietly, fixing my
eyes steadily upon his quivering face.
| 81 don't know" ~..aIe
"Thats afalsehood. Remember you're
upon your oath, man, and answer me
truly; how much did Mr.. Steele leave his
neice?" aa0s.
whats the good of bullying mel l
tell you don't know"
Then came moments pause, and then
said suddenly
"Who mixed up the medlcines?"
The mans face was horrible TO look at,
as asked this. White it had been all
along; but now it was ghastly: the eyes
started and glared, white froth came out,
fringed the blue livid lips. | shuddsrsd as
looked. There was evidently some ter.
rible mystery, and | dreaded almost to
speak, lest it should overwhem me.
"Who mixed up the medicines" ! ask
ed again.
A vacant stare Of terror was all my an
swer.
81 must have an answer" | said stern
| ly, cor shall ask his Lordship TO commit
you"
"Oh Lord. Martha, it's come at last!''
exclaimed the wrotched man: 81 knew il
would" and uttering hideous scream,
he fell upon the floor of the witness-box in
strong conyulsions.
After this witness had been carried out,
and as soon as the confusion had subsid-
ed, Mr. Ashley rose 10 reply upon his evi-
dence; but as it was impossible to recall
tho man, and endeavor to set him right
with the jury, or to remove from their minds
the fearful impression he had made, the
counsel confined his remarks to few COM
mon place observations, which he hurried
over as quickly as possible.
Lord Cransten then summed up; but the
jury needed him very little: they, in COM
mon with all the court. were gazing on the
prisoner, who had tainted in the box, and
whose beautiful and sorrow-stricken face
lay white and moveless before them. Her
head was supported by one OF the turkeys,
and surgeon, vino happened to be near
had entered the box to chafe her hands and
baths her face; but to those rough men in
whose hands her fate reposed, this swoon
appeared like death; and knew as look
ed upon their plying faces, that not the
most obdurats among them would venture
to pronounce the word which must, in the
event of her recovery, doom her to die.
And was right. Almost without turn.
ing in their box, and quickly, as if glad
to release her. and do their part towards
comforting her, they returned their verdict,
and she was Immediately acquitted, and
borne out of the dock, senselsss.
Alice Sharpe absconded during the con.
fusion in court, and her husband, in the
intervals of delirium. and just before his
death, made fearful confession, Of which
can only give the outline
Martha, Fanny, and William Steel were
ths three children Of a tradssman living
in Yorkshire village. The son Of the
Squire, attracted by the bold beauty Of
Martha, paid her so much attention. that
she fully expected he intended to marry
her, and, therefore, boosted Of her con.
quest to all her companions; but just when
she had decided in her own mind that the
proposal ought to be made, Fanny return
ed from school. 1;!
From that time Martha lost empire over
her lovers heart; and, in her treatment OF
the unfortunate cause of her disappoint-
mont, showed the first symptoms Of that
innate cruelty of heart which afterwards
worked so much evil to herself and others
In few months, worn out with her Sis
ter's unkindness and taunting words, and
urged by her lover, poor Fanny Steele
elopsd, only leaving behind her vague
note for her brother William, whom she
dearly loved. bta
Soon after this their father died, and
Martha accepted q situation as house,