Squatter sovereign., 1855-11-27
5tlisteHa1leolls.
THE MUIR DERER.
70 z7edafssg eli a-E s21I IL
Z A ,rHRfLLING STORY.

A little more than fifty years ago, a man
by the name of Henry Thompson, called
Fat the house OF Mr.. J.. Sniith,A resident
in retired part of England, and requested
a nights lodging. This request was
granted; and the stranger, having taken
some refreshments, retired early to bed,
requesting that he might be awakened at
an early hour the following morning. sas
When the servant appointed to call him,
entered the room for that purpose, he was
found in his bed perfectly dead.
On examining his body no marks of
violence appeared, but his countenance
looked extremely natural. The story Of
his deathsoon spread among the neighbors.
and inquiries were made as to who he was
and by what means he came to his death.
Nothing certain, however, was known.
He had arrived on horseback, and was
seen passing through neighboring village
about an houl before he reached the house
where he had come to his end. And then,
as to the manner of his death, so little
could be discovered, that the jury returned
a verdict that he ssdied by a visitation from
Cod When this uas done. the stranger
was buried. s
Days and weeks passed on and little fur
ther was known. The public mind, bow
ever, was not at rest. Suspicious existed
that foul means had fastened tie stran-
gers death. Whispers to tha, effect were
expressed, and in the hearts Of uasY.
Smith was considered the guilty msaao
The former character of Smithfh not
been good. He had lived a loose and
and irregular life, involved himself ID debt
by his extravaganza. and at length, being
suspected of having obtained money wrong
fully, he suddenly fled from the town.
More than ten years, however. had now
elapsed since his return, during which he
had lived at his present residence, appa-
rently in good circumstances, and with an
approved character. His former life,
however, was now remembered, and sus-
picion was fastened upon him.
At the expiration of two months, a gem
tleman one day stopped in the place for the
purpose of making inquiries respecting the
stranger who had been found dead in his
bed. He supposed himself to be the broth.
er Of the man. The horse and clothes of
The unfortunate man still remained, and
were Immediately known as having be-
Iongcd to his brother. The body, also,
was taken up, and though considerably
changed, bore u strong resemblance to-
him. -res s~------
He now felt authorized to ascertain, if
possible. the manner Of his death. He
there fore, TO investigate the cir
,umsiances as well rs he was able. At
ength he made known TO the magistrate of
he district the information he had collected /
md uron the strength Of this, Smith was |
aiken to Jail TO be tried for the willul muir
ier of Henry Thompson.
The celebrated Lord Mansfield was !
hen on the bench. He charged the grand !
nry TO be cautious as TO finding a bill
against the prisoner. The evidence of his |
yuiit, if guilty, might be small. More in
might be obtained. Should he !
,e acquitted he could not be molested again !
whatever testimony should rise up against !
h'sn. The grand jury, however, did find |
biii. but by a majority of only one.
At length the time OF trial arrived
Smith was brought into court aud placed !
At the bar. A great crowd thronred the |
room, eager and anxious TO see the prisoa- |
sr. and TO hear the trial. He himself ap-
'earrd firm and collected Nothing in !
lis manner or appeara nee indicated guilt !; /
md, when the question was put to him by
he clerk, "Are You guilty or not guilty ("
he answered with an unfaltering tongue.
md with countenance perfectly unchang-
ID, Mot guilty"
The counsel for the prosecution now
'pened the case. But it WAS apparent
hat he had little expectation of being able
o prove the prisoner guilty. He stated to
he jury, that the case was in great myste-
y. The prisoner was man of respecta.
'ility and of property. The deceased was
supposed to have had abeus him gold and
ewels to large amount; bu. the prisoner
vas not so much In want of funds as to be
lnder strong temptation to commit mur-
Ter. And besides, if the prisoner had OBJ
aimed the property, he had etfectually con-
ealed it. Not trace Of ], could be found.
Why, then; was the prisoner suspectsds
rhe deceased, Henry Thompson, was a
ewcler, residing in London, and man OF