Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-07-05
GBt Storg GtIItr.
A Strange Story.
TEE ADVANTAGES or LEGAL FORKS.

In small town in Saxony. lived three young
men. whom We will call George. Ernest, and
Lewis, and who from their infancy were strong
ly attached TO zach other. George and Ernest
were merchants, Lewis studied law, and prac-
tcsd in his native place.
One summer's day, Ernest and George 90,
cut On horseback for town about thirty milss
OF, where they had business to transact. Ern-
est was weak saeugh to BE- fond Of discussion
viii his friend on religious sabjscts, Of which
they were Of different opinions, and had warm
dispuses, though George wac ~ irritable and
passisnats % he himself was obstinate in main
saining his no.ions. During the journey, Ern-
est led the eonversation to his unlucky topic
They fell, a. usual, into a dispute, which ~ss
kept up ill they reached the inn where they
agreed to dine. The dispute was continued
over bottle Of wine, but with temper on both
sidss; and the travellers pursued their journey.
Ernest renewed the subject ofiheir former con-
vsrsation, and beth rather elevated With the
wine they had taken, the dispute became more
and more violent as they proceeded. 90 that by
the time they had entered a wsod through
which their road led, il had deeeneratsd into
personality and abuse.
Georges passion knew no bounds; uneon-
scious Of what he did, he pulled out pistol
and presented il at his companion. The pistol
went off and Ernest fell from his horsc, which
frightened by the report end relieved Of his ri.
der, scanpersd away into the wood.
George, pale az death, Immediately alighied
20 assist his friend, who was weltering in his
blood, the paroxysu of passion was over, and
given place to bitter repentance. He stopped
60 Ernest. who just then brea,hed his last sigh.
Overwhelmed with despair and anguish, he
tore his hair and afterwards gallopsd back to the
village, 10 sarceader himself into the hzad Of
Justice as the aucderer Of his friend, that he
might put a speedy end - his life which was
now the most oppressive aSrdea to him. The
officer to whom he delivered himself up. sent
irim under guard to tho town where the friends
sesided. The body Of Ernest, whose pockets
were found rised, was also conveyed ,hi,her
and inferred.
The legal proceedings against George COM
Menced. He repeated his confession before
the Judges. and implored speedy death. His
examination was closed, and he was informed
that he was at liberty 10 choose an advocate to
defend him, as the law requires; but he de-
cliaed to avail himself of the privilege, and
with tears besought the Court to hasten his
execution.
Being, however, again urged to appoint an
advocate to conduct his defence, he named his
friend Lewis. AT the same time,' said he
still, there needs no defence; l wish only for
dsath-but submit TO the required formality.
Ny friend may undertake the bootless task,
and thus show his attachment to me, for the
last time
With profound emotion, Lewis entered up
on the nost painful duty that had ever fallen
to his lot in his whole professional career.-
Though he despaired Of bsiag able to cave his
unhsppy friend, he determined, of course, to
make every possible effort to accomplish this
end.
With this view, be objected that Ernest's
= body had been committed to the earth without
any previous Judicial examination and dissse-
tioa- The judges replied that this ceremony
seemed unnecessary and superhuous, as the
murdsfer had voluntarily confessed the deed;
if he (the advocste) insisted on the examina-
tion of the body. il should be taken up. By
the desire of Lewis, this was accordingly done.
The town surgeon attended. and declared
that - the ball had passed right through the
heart, death must naturally snsue. Lewis
wished to know if the ball VAS sill in the body;
aha surgeon sought for and found il; upon
which the advocate sent for the pistol with
which the deed had bees perpstra,ed. and
tried to drop the ball into the barrel. Il
seemed too large, he accordingly tried it in all
possible ways, still it would not 20 in.
That this ball could not be fred BY that pis-
zol, was evident to every observer; the Judge,
booked at one another and shook their heads
There was not a person bat had completely
anads up his mind respecting the guilt Of the
Eprisonsr; but this circumstance quite contour.
ded them all. There was not person but had
completely made up his mind respecting the
guilt Of the prisoner; but this circumstanc.
qaite. .confoundsd them all. The confession Of
the prisoner, made without the employment O
the slightest fear or force, was corroborated by
every circumstances that had previously come
to light; the ball alone seemed to proclaim hi
innocence.
Lewis began to conceive the strongest hopes
and was nearly cverpowsred with the excess o
his extreme joy. He proposed the proceed
ings, together with the ball and pistol, shoul,
be sent to The supreme tribunal, and that j
might decide in this extraordinary affair. Thi
proposal wss the more readily accepted, an III,
local court was puzzled how to act, and sb
sclutsiy unable to preaouncs any judgmsn
whatever.
While the papers were in the hands Of III
sspreme tribunal in the metropolis a highway
maH, who had shot aud robbed traveller o
the road not far from the birtIr-plsce of th
friends, was brought to chat town. Convicte
by Sufficient evidence, he acknowledged hi
crime; bat this was not all: be confessed. N