The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-11-27

cusatlon, and to persuade her nei ghbors that
they had misunderstood her meaning 1t was.
however, too late; her extreme ioqnaoity had
rung an alarum through the vilage-the ig-
norant are always greedy of the marvellous
and her disclaimers were universally disre
gardcd. All the inhabitants of the hamlet at
once decided that Rosalia was the inccndiarv.
and, with pcrtinacity which almost drove
the aunt to desperation, quoted her own dec
larations as evidence Of the fact Thus taken
IN her own tolls, the heartleSs old woman, in
stead of acknowledging that she had no au-
thorlty for the rumors which she had spread,
but had been insti gated TO this act of cruel
injustice BY her hatred and jealousy of her
step-neicc, vehcmently declared that, since
such was the case, if she were compelled to
refund the money, she would at least have
the life of the PRISONER as some compensation
for the loss.
When accused by the counsel of having
Sullcn. and finally terminated bv the ficnlish
remark, that if she had ever said so. she was
prepared to abide by it :; that she maintained
the guilt of the prisoner; and that they should
do better, even if they lost the money. so that
they were rid Of her ncph.w's wife alo.s
with it.
A. these malignant words passed her lips
low murmur filled the court and the Prc,i-
dent ordered her to stand down Ifalfa dozen
other witnesses We're then called on the same
SIDE, and IN every ease were asked whether
they were relatives, friends. or lovers of the
prisoner TO which question two sturdy voung
peasants answered bitterly. No thank Gol."
and in both Instances it was elected hv her
counsel that they Were discarded >uitorS. who
had since. her marriage, causcdtrrqucnt mis-
understandings between herself and her hus-
band.
Sill, honr after hour, the tide of words
flowed ON, and no one 11-oot of Guilt had been
brought against the prisoner At intervals
some leading question. well calculated to
cause her to criminatc herself was abrrptly
put 10y the President and at each denial She.
was desired to remember that She had con-
ieSScd as much during her previuu, cxamin-
alton; but ,"i1atcl as She was she still retained
sufficient Srt-po>>c>>ion to rctutr the assertion.
drrlarln% that she never could have accused
herself OF a crime of which she was innocent
A> the next name was called and one of
the u>hcrS OF the court was about to introduce
new witness. faint scream burst from the
lips of the pri>oncr,which was succeeded hv A
violent fit Of weeping: anl ! rev sick at
heart lest she was at last To find herSclfin CON
tact with an acru>rr whose charge she could
not rrtutr
\ slight confusion at the extremity of the
ball, low murmur. and the drarcin. of
heavy footsteps along the floor. at that mo-
mcnt diverted my attention from the wretch
cd woman; and | saw. slowly approaching the
witness stand, an iniirm and aged man. sup
ported by two Of the subordinate officers of
the court. As he was led forward he looked
hclplrS>ly from side to side. as if bcwildcrcd
hv the novelty the scene about him: and.
after having been assisted up the steps of the
daS, he dropped INTO the chair to which he
was conductrd nor did he attempt to rise
when told by the President to stand up while
he took the customary oath.
stand mp, repeated the usher but the
old man continued motionlcss.
"lie can't hear" shouted the harsh voice
OF his sister from the extremity of the court;
'he 5 been deaf this many year: YOU must
shout into his ear The usher acted upon
this suggestion: but the poor old man only
shook his grey head, and laughed
docs he know why he is here ?" asked
the President, impatiently.
Not he replied the same involuntary
srokeSwoman; I'VE didn't tell him. or he
wouldn't have come
Can he be made to understand the natur,
of an oath :"
"May-be yes, maybe no; he's childish-like:
but YOU can try him"
This is tritling with the court ,"exclamca
the President, angrily; "and cruel to this
poor old man. Who is he?'
"ller husbands father, my brother; the
tather-in-law that she tried to burn ont" 20
sponded the woman
''Silence :" shouted the President. "Usher
remove TINS man from the court, and see that
he is taken care Of until he can be conveyed
to his home
He was obeycd; the cid man was with diff.
tculty induced to leave his seat, and many q
tear followed him as he disappeared 1t was a
painful spectacle, nor was it the only one
which We were destined to witness; for before
the examination was resumed, an individual
approached the bench, and whispered few
words to the President, who with an irritat-
ed gesture, impaticntly replied, We'll. if it
must be so; but We are losing time"
lhe messenger made sign, and he had
no sooner done so than woman appeared at
a side door carrying an infant in her arms
with which she approached the prisoner, who
eagerly leant forward to receive it, The child
sprans, with joyful cry of recognition, into
the embrace OF its Mretchpd mnthnr ,rLA c