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

spectacle nor was " the Only one
which We were destined to witness
for before the examination was re-
sumcd, an individual approached the
bcanch, and whispered a few words to
the President, who, with an irritaiod
gesture, impatieutly replied
"Well if ii must be so bu, We are
now losing time"
The messenger made sign, and he
had no sooner done SO. than n woman
appeared at the side door, carrying AN
infant in her arms. with which she ap-
preached. the prisoner eagerly leaned
forward to receive it, The child spraug,
with joyful cry Of recognition, into
the arms Of its wreichcd mother, who,
for moment, strained it conNulsiyely
to her bosom but when she endeyored
to give TO il the nourishment which II
required. the infant flung it self vio-
lently back, terrified by the fcveri,h
contract and could not be induced again
TO approach her. Never shall forget
the agony depicted upon the counte-
nance of the unhappy prisoner. Her
tears seemed to have suddenly dried
up; and, rising from the seat, she gave
back the struggling infant into The arms
of its nurse, without word Had she
been the veriest, blackesi criminal upon
EARTH she was an object Of intense pity
nj that moment.
The proceedings were once more re-
sumed. Other witnesses for the prose-
culion followed, but the evidence was
still vague and inconclusive and at
length the Procureur rose TO address
the court, His speech was eloquent
and emphatic, but, although he cleverly
availed himself of every opportunity for
bringing the guilt Of both charges home
to the prisoner be was rather startling
than convincing in his arguments. He
repeatedly called upon her to deny the
| truth of his conclusions but he gave
her no opportunity Of doing so he hurl-
| ed NJ her the most bitter invcctiyes, ap-
/ piled TO her the most opprobious epi-
thets, and dcfed her TO summon a sin
gle witness TO prove her innocence, or
TO save her from an ignominous death I;
and, finally, he reproachcd her with her
ingratitude to n family by whose gene
rosi,y she had been raised from poverty
to comfort reminded her Of the dis
grace which she had brought, not only
upon the wretched old man of eighty
: SIX years or agc, who had been made
through her means public spectacle,
but also upon the helpless children Y
whom she had given birth, and espe-
cially upon the innocent and ill-iaied in
fant who had first seen the light through
the iron bars of prison.
1t was frightful piece Of elocuiion
never for an instant did he appear to re.
member that the wretched prisoner
might yet, despite appearances. have
been wrongfully accused, and have beer
victim rather than criminal. There
was no leaning to the side Of mercy, NJ
rclenling, no CLEAN Of light thrown mp
on the darkness of the picture and i
was evident that the miserable woman
felt she was los, long before his terrible
words ceased TO vibrate in her ears
For a time she had sat motionless, gaz
ing upon him with a wild stare OF at
frighted wonder but as he rapidly heap
: ed circumstance upon circumstance, re
/ capitulated the gossip Of the villagers
and deduced from the most apparent
uuimnortant facts the most condemnaio
= ry conclusions, she gradually sank low
} er and lower upon her seat, until sh
} appeared no longer able to sustain hci
self; and, when deep and thrilling s
e Iencc succeeded to the speech Of the pol
1 lie accuser, her choking sobs were di
1 tinctly audible.
q The Procureur was right; the wi
p, nesses for the defence we're unable
2 prove her innocence Of the crime in
y puted 10 her; bu, they one and all boz
; evidence 10 the irreproachabllity Of h'
+ character; to her piety, her industr
= her neighborly helpfulness, and b
> charity, both Of word and deed. The
!, showed. moreover that she had boz
=, with patience and submission the lyrai
e nv of her husbands aunt, aud 'loien'
L. Of that husband himself and that u
e had been to her father-in-law a de,o''
d and atIcctionate daughter.
10 Bot" said the Procureur 10 one
u her pancgyfisfs, Sc If the accused We
indeed the admirable person whom g
1t describe, how do you account for b
having made so many enemies, and
70 the general belief ia her guilt pre'ale
.y throughout the village p
n IIa, monsieur" /" replied the bra
in youna peasant, a. be turned has
apd sympsihizine glance towards
80 prisoner hate grows faster than loI
'k and la.t. longer. BEFORE he neighb'
dreami of Rosalie's good lock -or, RAJ
cr, bai lock, - il has since iururd %
poor woman there vas many
n- iu the village that hoped 20 mnke
90. iis uiic bot she listened 90 none
h,cm. and they can't forgive her
be having married shove them"
And you, no' having been of
p. number. can afford 10 say a good vi
f9f her l. .lal whai be ara O. uud
"a stand = sskel tbe Pr0cufeur, sarca
nd c.lly.
" No monsieur wss the sturdy
uy piy. BOT l9rcd her TOO zsll 10 /
I'D maliee"