Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-10-27
gCHAPTFR XVIII.

was crowded with anxious spectators hun
dreds were there to witness the trial Of the mi
ser for the murder Of the missing man. The
indictment was read for the murder, or the be-
inc accessory to it, and the miser plead 'NOT
GUILTY and tEe cause was offered, with able
counsel on both sides, learned Judge on the
bench, and an intelligent Jury in the Box. The
mser was sitting in the seat Of the prisoner
and the eyes Of all were upon him. His frame
was slightly bent with age and care, and it was
meagre and wan his penuriousness and painful
labor had written deep wrinkles on his checks
and his thin locks were white as wool Allan
WingfeIG's appearance on that day testified to
what he had been-pcnurious, wicked and mis-
erly. The careworn lines of gain were furrow-
ed deeply in his face, but his quick and pene-
trdting eyes had notIos the briiancy and glow
Of youth Piercing, deeply set, cold and sell
fish, they were busy in rolling hither and thith-
er =; as if hunting out the shining God his soul
feasted upon even there in the seat of the cul-
prit he seemed careless of his shame, and was
calculating how he might gain more gold to
bow down and worship. His old hat was thrown
aside aud he set there boldly f;rcin., te.ourt;
careless and Indifferent. His head was partly
bald, which showed to n better advantage his
magnificent forehead that was deeply marked
with the furrows Of painful care and watching
| it was an intellectual looking forehead. but
that strong intellect was fast shackled with the
! fetters it had forged and chained it down Il
w0rshipper ut the shrine of Mdmmon. The mi-
ser had not improved the talent God had giveE,
him and when he is brought in the end to face
with earth's myriad ones; when he comes TO
! stand with the great ard the ignoble on a COM
mon level at the foot OF the Throne, to be Judg-
ed in Righteousness, he will not dare to say
that he has improved what WAS given him, and
wrought his way through the world according
to the light that was given him by the Author
of Heaven and Earth. The miser was rich
and how had he gained it? 1t occasionally
happens that men grow rich by what is called
luck; turn Of Il single cord prosperous
wind a well timed word a trife may bring
the harvest of wealth Ii was not as with the
miser of 49,; he had amassed his fortune
by intrigue, by labofious calculation, by cbican
nv, by wickedness, by penuriousness-slow
and carefully hehad gathered the precious met
ais in his canvass bags, despite the luctuation;
of the worlds commerce and regardless Of it:
changes and wrecks he always had an eye fa
ahead watching for storms lowering over 9th
crs and was never too late to prosper upon the
7 wrecks he found fioating on the busy sea o
n life. In this manner Allan Wingfit Id had gar
{ uercd his stores Of wealth, and TO do this
= man must be possessed with Il mind sutiicien
S to grapple with the worlds genius. No; Al
y Ian Wngfeld will not face the common Judg
= and say that he improved the talent he ha,
d given him.
c The trial proceeded the witnesses for tn
# State were examined and their testimony re
d corded by the counsil. 1t was proved that tn
G missing man was last seen entering the Taver
e in company with the prisoner, which was a
= unheard Of circumstance before il was prove
J. that his handkerchief which he had on thu
v day WAS found in dark room Of that den c
l. sins the dark blots of blood on the floor an
" other ndubitable circumstantial evidence wa
N brought to bear against the prisoner, but sti
IN he SIT in the Box careless of the condemnin
ID testimony ofreputable citizens The prosect
IS ting attorney arose and addressed the court
he appealed to the Jury TO sustain tie dignit
e. of the Law he warned them OF the untol
d. danger of such character as the prisoner ;
le the bar being in their midst; he depicted I'll
rs backness of his heart in graphic colors
n construed the evidence so, it seemed imposs
ny bic to acquit him of the charge, and with
na warm and patriotic appeal he committed tt
ct case to them, believing, as ne said, they wou
or preserve unsullied the dignity of the laws
to che Commonwealth and the peace and safe
Si Ol l'iG CItiLcuS.
ne He resumed his seat at the table within Il
5 bar, and the counsel for the prisoner arose
IL address a jnry, on whose faces could but
OF seen the lines of indignant hatred for the si
sS of the prisoner, and conviction Of his gu
1e firmly rooted in their bosoms. The prison
eh saw it too, but he was indifferent concerning
g The counsel called for Worl Mowry to cor
Is into the witness box. He came, and all ey
a for a moment turned upon him. He was abo
II middle age and bore strong marks of fdissipatiC
hu ! He was sworn, and the counsel turned to t
lm court and remarked that he proposed to pro
I'm the innocence of his client by the witness. t
ms examination commenced and all ears were
ld- tentive to catch his words. Said the counst
I'e Mr. Mowry, are you acquainted with t
me prisoner at the bar 90
Is 81 am. sir"
DS DS How long have you known him, and wi
- has been his general character?"
g. Il have known him for the last fifteen yea
ola and his character is above reproach."
dIu "Have you ever been employed by him
re-, any manner, Mr.. Mowry g"
cir Eyes, sir; | have beer engaged in his T
ern for several years."