The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-18

he WAS Nery eSplclt IN all MS statements,
and ut the same time he professed 10 feel
deep regret that he was called upon to
testify against man for whom he felt as
much respect as he did for the prisoner.
AT length young Adams arose to tell
hs story. lie spoke clearly, and with the
tone of man who tells the truth. lie
said that about an hoar after Mathew
Hampton had left his shop, on the even
ing question, he went to the sink to wash
his hands, and while there he trod on
something that attracted his attention.
tie stopped and picked it up, and found
it to be pocket-book, and on taking it
to the light it proved to be Mr.. Hamp-
tons. He remembered that after Mr..
Hampton had paid him for shocing his
horse, he went to the sink after drink
Of water, and then he must have dropped
the book. The young blacksnith's first
idea, he said, was to keep the book until
Hampton came back, but upon the second
thought he resolved to saddle his horse
and try to orcrtake him, and restore the
money. Accordingly he set off, and when
he reached the bluff his horse stopped
and began to snort. lie discovered
something laying 10y the roadside, and
upon d'smountine and going to it he found
it to be the body Of Mr.. Hampton still
warm and Leeding. He first satisfied
himself that he could do nothing alone,
and then lie started back towards NJ
for assistance. When he was overtaken
bv jordan and !BiIger, the idea OF having
HamPton's money with him broke upon
him with stunning force, and hence his
strange aud incoherent manner.
When the prisoner sat down there was
low murmur which told that his story
was believed. But the Judge shook his
head, and the lawyers did the same, and
the jury looked troubled and ANXIOUS
The prisoners counsel did all he could to
establish his clients good character, and
also to impeach the character of Bilger
but he could not refute the testimon th a,
had been given in.
When the judge came to charge the
jury, he spoke Of the testimony against
the prisoner, and Of the corroborative cir
cumstances. With regard to the prison.
ers story, lie said that it was very simple
and sounded very much like truth; but
he would have the jury remember how
easily such stories could he made:
1t was long after dark when the jury
retired to make up their verdict. They
were gone half All hour, and when they
returned the foreman showed by the very
hue Of his countenance that the verdict
was fatal! All saw it, and ] could hear
the throbbing Of the hundred hearts that
beat about mo.
"GentIemen Of the jury, have YOU made
a verdict 7"
I'VE AVE."
"Shall your foreman speak for you?"
"Yes."
"Abel Adams, stand up and look the
foreman in the face. Now, sir, is Abel
Adams, the prisoner at the bar, guilty o
murder or notf'
Hark The first syllable Of the word
"GuiIty," is upon the foreman's lips, bu,
he speaks it not. Those who yet crowd
about the windows shout with all their
might, aud in moment more a man
crowds his way into the court room. lie
hurrics up and whispers to the sheriff,
and then he goes to the bench and whis
Pers to the judge. Henry Bilger start.
up moves towards the door, but in an in.
Stant the hand of the sheriff is upon him.
AL is excitement the most intense. Di.
rectIy the mass at the door be sins to give
way, and four men are seen bearing upon
their shoulders chair, large stuffed
chair, and in that chair sits Mathew
liampton-not dead but alive. True, he
Is pale and ghastly, but his ewes are open
and his lips move. At length the chair
is set down before the bench, and the old
physician Of M----asked permission
TO speak. As soon rs this fact became
known, all is quiet once more.
The physician says that neither Of the
wounds which Mr.. Hampton had received
Is mortal, although he at first thought
they were. The blow upon the head, and
che stab in the breast, combined to pro.
duce state Of cateIepsy which resemLIed
death so nearly that many an experiene.
ed person might have been deceived
When lie gave Cut that Mr.. Hampton
was dead, lie thought il was so. Blu,
when he found that Hampton was living,
he kept the secret to himself, for fear ,ha,
certain man, whose presence va. need
ed might be nis-iss.