Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-29

noise of the struggle and her cries brought her
mistress to the room; while the cowardly assail-
ant, as soonas he saw his wife, skunk away, leav-
ing the poor girl alone to 5ear the storm of her
umgoveruable rage Blows, oaths, and every
description of abuse were heaped upon Miriam
by the infuriated woman, and she left her with
dreadful vow to be revenged. Five hours af-
ter, in the dead of the night, the house was dis
coveredto be on fire. the fire originating in Mir
Jams room, from which she was absent. She
was however, soon found il y small outhouss
at the top of the garden, where she was at work;
as she says, by the order Of her mistress, but
which that woman denies. She was given into
custody, and is prosecuted with remorsess zeal
that would do honor to lend. A subscription
has been raised to defend her, and BY Gods help
she shall be sayed.'
Have you seen her asked, after listening
thoughtfally to,tLis l.istossytss' - -
Yes, several times; she has be n in prison
nearly four months
And she persists in her innocencc!' y
Yes; but there is little necessity to assever
ate what, to every one who secs her, must be so
plain
Your suspicion then lies, -
Upon the prosecutors wife, Alice Sharpe.
And more than this, am inclined to suspect
her of using unfair means with her late master,
and of holding his property unjustly.'
How?'
Il cannot exactly tell, but firmly believe
Miriam's assertion that the old man gave her q
packet previous to his death, and that he called
her his niece and also believe that in some
way or other Alice Sharpe has become possessed
of the secret, and deeper motive than even
jealousy urges her to destroy her victim
But the will,-f that was fairly executed
she need be under no apprehension.
so it seems Still my suspicious of foul play
are very strong. Now let us go through the ev-
idencc You see the principal witnesses are AL
ice Sharpe, Ann Jackson the servant girl who
discovered the fire. Edward Harris, the consta-
BILE who apprehended the accused, and Louisa
Jones, an apprentice, who swears that she
heard Miriam VOW to be revenged upon her mis-
tress.'
We perused carefully the evidence given be-
fore the magistrate that Of the servant and
constable was straightforward enough there
was no conclusion OR deception there both spoke
to facts within their own knowledge without
prejudice or exaggeration. But it struck me
upon second examination, that the testimony
of Mrs. Sharpe and Louisa Jones was not gen
uine there were several points that ] did not
like, and the language of both betrayed great
acrimony and ill-foeling.
Can you make something of that 4 suggest
ed Mr.. Page, as he saw md musin1 upon the
matter.
Il don't know. 1t is very strange they don t
call the husband
Yes; and therefore have served him with
a Crown-ofice subpoena, which has frightened
them, and put them on the wrong scent,
think
Is the letter found with the prisoner when
he was left at the surgeons door in existence =
l don't know whyl'
Nothing vague idea as to the indictment,
that's all. But | think if it is possible it will
be as well to have it. By-the-by, what broth
ers and sisters had this old doctor How Gould
this girl have been his neice!'
Nobody knows. He came here about thirty
: years since, but he never visited, and SO far as
know never said where he came FROM Alice
Sharpe followed him Immediately
l should like to read my brief over alone ,and
sac you open it afterwards if you are
not engaged
What time will suit you =
Eight clock
Alter the attorney was gone, porod over
those sheets again and again, and the more
did 50, the more satisfied was that Miriam was
innocent, and that Mrs. Sharpe had some ser.
Gus reason for wishing to get rid of her. But
unfortunately this was my own conviction
could see no way of working it out, Or of bring
ing jury to so decirable conclusion, and the
0 more satisfied became, the more uncomfortable
i | was also, because knew that nothing thai
was not very plain and unmistakable, would
except by great chance, be accepted by Lore
. Cransto N.
% One help had, and, next to common scns(
- witnesses, it is the greatest that counsel car
havc--a shrewd, clever, practical attorney.
1t was the afternoon before the trial came on
shall never forger my sensations, as saw th'
prisoner come up to the bar, She was not sim
ply pretty, but beautiful fair, slight, and deli
cate as high-born lady, and exceedingly grace
|, full. There was general murmur in the cour
as she appeared, and even the old judge wa
: softened Oh, what felt knowing that III
der God her life was in many hands. | wa
very nervous; the pen held, feigning to max
. notes, trembled in my hand, and shivered frol
head to foot as if ague-stricken. The constabl
4, was the first witness called. His evidence W;
short and clear. He stated that he was sent il
,s at twelve o'clock at night to apprehend Mirial
l. Lyndon, the prisoner, who was accused of ha
"a ing set fire to her masters house that when
j reached the place he found it borning inside,
u room which he was told was the prisoner
r. bedroom, and in another Immediately und
or the chamber of her employers. That up,
d /; searching the house the prisoner was not to
nd found, but that, after little delay, she W
Or, discovered in an outbuilding, at some distan
Ter from the house, pressing bonnets.
ed The man was turning to leave the box when
err struck me that might put question or t,
al with effect, and therefore desired him to sta