The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-09

farm at which the fire occurred before
was the joint property Of her brother
and herself, and she had been careful 10
ensure her own portion Of the estate
against the very calamity which had
taken place nor had she failed. within
twcniy-four hours after the event. 20
claim the amount due her, after having
solemnly sworn that she believed the
fire to have been purely accidental
She moreover admitted that she had
not accused the prisoner of the crime OF
arson until the money had been paid
over to her,-while the cross question
ing Of the prisoners counsel soon en-
abled him TO prove that. subsequently
to her having done so, on being inform
ed that, should her step niece be found
guilty of arson, she would be called up
on to refund her insurance money, she
endeavored to recall her accusation, and
TO persuade her neighbors that they had
mistaken her meaning. II was. how
ever, too late her extreme loquacity
had rung an alarum throughout the VIII
lage the ignorant are always greedy
for the marvellous; and her disclaimers
were universally disregarded.
All the inhabitants Of the hamlet at
once decided that Rosalie was the in
ccndiary and. with a pertincaity which
almost drove the aunt to desperation
| quoted her own declarations as evidence
Of the fact Thus taken in her own
tolls, the hearlless old woman, instead
of acknowledging that she had no au-
thority for the rumors which she had
spread, but had been insigated to this
act of cruel injustice by her hatred and
jealousy of her step-niece, vehemenly
declared that, since such was the case,
if she was compelled to refund the mon
ey, she would at least have the life Of
the prisoner rs some compensation for
the loss.
When accused by the counsel of hav-
ing made this threat, her denial was
faint and sullen, and finally terminated
with the iicndish 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 slo
better, even il they lost the money, so
that they were rid Of their nephew's
wife along with it.
As these malignant words passed her
lips, low murmur filled the court, and
the President ordered her to stand
down. Half dozen other witnesses
were then successfully called on the
same side, and in every case were asked
whether they were relatives, friends or
lovers of the prisoner, to which question
two sturdy young peasants replied, No
! thank God !" and in both instances it
was elected by her counsel that they
were discarded suitors, who had, since
her marriage, caused frequent misunder-
standings between herself and husband
Still, hour after hour, the tide Of words
rolled on, and no evidence Of guilt bad
been brought up against the prisoner
At intervals, some leading question
well calculated to cause her to crimi
, mate herself, was abruptly put by the
President, and at denial she was desir
| ed to remember that she had confessed
r as much during her previous eXamina
e ton yet agiiatcd as she was, she still
retained sufficient self-possession to re
D fute the assertion. declaring that sh'
f could never have accused herself Of
h crime of which she was innocent.
- As the name was called, and one o
G the ushers OF the court was about to in
= trodnce the new witness, a faint scream
j burst from the lips Of the prisoner, whicI
+ was succeeded by n violent fiji Of weep
IS ing and grew sick at heart, lest SD
4 was at last 10 find herself in coniaC
+ with an accuser whose charge she coul
u not rcfule. 4 slight confusion at th
p extremity of the hall, a low murmui
d and the dragging OF heavy steps alon
IF the floor. at thu, moment diverted m
F. attention from the wrctchcd woman
/ qad / saw, slowly approaching the wi
r ness chair, an infrm aud aged man, SUI
p ported by two Of the subordinate Office
ie Of the court As he was lei torwar
r. be looked helplessly from side 10 id
b. a. if hewildsred by the novelty Of tl
scene abou, him and, after having bee
,e assisted np the steps Of the dais, J
Pc dropped into the chair TO which he h'
le been conducted, nor did be attempt
{. rise when told by the President TO star
90, while be took The customary oath
10 Stand up," repeated the usher b
Re- the ola man continued moiioulcss
y, lie can, hear" shouted the bar
~ voice Of ibe sister, from the eHlremi
be Of the court room. A" lie has been dc
A. this many a wear. You must shout
ed his ear"
The usher acted upon ,hi. susg'
if ton ba the poor old man only sho
n- biz head and laughed.
ne Does be know Why be is here
as asked the President impa'ien'ly
-, Ma be % replied me same ,oluH
.w, ~ ,pokrsaomau. We aidui tell n
81. % b. wouldn't have come
r. Can b. be- made 20 understand /
.u. nature u an oa.h =
se- Maybe yes. maybe 90, he's CHI
BAT ish like bai 700 can iry bin"
.ye Tbis Il irihing with ihe eouri {
ph, claimed lhe President angr,lyi "a
iy cruel 20 ihis poor old man. Who is h'
Ca. Her husbands father. and
ac. lro,ber ihe faiher-in-laa that she y