Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-09-17

so Incompatible as to personal charms, calm
and smiling, took her place before the bar of
her Judge, a murmur Of admiration arose from
the multitude, which, the prompt interposi-
tion of the court, by stern order of sssilence''
could scarcely repress from swelling to dea-
fening roar.
The Judge turned to the prisoner: ssEmma
Miner, the court has been informed that your
counsel, Col. Linton, is sick. Have you en-
ployed any other 90
She answered in voice as sweet as the war
bic of the nightingale, and clear as the song
of the skylark
ssMy enemies have bribed all the lawyers
even my own to be sick but God will defend
the innocent ="
At this response, so touching in its simple
plause, and the rest wept.
On the instant, however, the stranger whose
appearance had previously excited such mer-
riment, started to his feet, approached the pri-
soner, and whispered something in her ear
She bounded six inches from the floor, uttered
a piercing shrek; and then stood trembling
as if in the presence of ghost from eternity;
while the singular being, who had caused her
unaecountable emotion, addressed the court,
in his sharp ringing voice, sonorous as the
sound of bell-metal.
s.May it please your honor, will assume
the task of defending the LADY,
ssWhat! ~ exclaimed the astonished Judge,
ssare you licensed attorney ?''
ssThe question is irrelevant and immateri-
al,'' replied the stranger with a venomous
sneer, ssas the recent statute entities any per-
son to act as counsel at the request of party"
s'But does the prisoner request it % inquir
ed the Judge.
ssLet her speak for herself,'' said the stran-
ger.
81 do,'' was the answer, as long drawn
sigh escaped, that seemed to rend her very
heart strings.
The case Immediately progressed; and as it
had tinge of romantic mystery, We will cpl
tomize the substance of the evidence.
About twelve months before the defendant
had arrived in the village, and opened an es-
tabliShment of millinery. Residing in room
| connected with her shop, and all alone, she
prepared the articles of her trade with unwea-
ried labor and consumate taste. Her habits
|
| she might have hoped to avoid notoriety, but
the perilous gift of that extraordinary beauty,
| which too often, and to the poor and friendless
! always proves curse. She was soon sought
after by all those fire flies of fashion, the pro-
fession of whose life, everywhere, is seduction
and ruin. But the beautiful stranger rejected
| them all with unutterable scorn and loathing.
Among these rejected admirers was one of a
character from which the fair milliner had ev-
erything to fear. Hiram Shore belonged to a
family, at once opulent, influential and dissi-
pated. He was himself licentious, brave and
ferociously revengeful-the most famous duel
ist of the southwest. 1t was generally known
that he had made advances to win the favor Of
the lovely Emma, and had shared the fate OF
all other wooers-a disdainful repulse.
At 9 O'Clock on Christmas night, 1887, the
people of Lewisburg were startled with louo
scream. as of one in mortal terror; while fol
lowing that, with scarcely an interval, came
successive reports of fire arms: one, two, three
"a dozen deafening roars. They flew to the
shop of the milliner, whence the sound pro
ceeded, pushed back the unfastened door, ant
a scene of horror was presented. There sh'
stood in the centre of the room, with revol
yer in each hand, every barrel discharged, he
features pale, her eyes flashing wildly, but ne
lips parted with fearful smile. And there
| her feet, weltering in his warm blood, his DO
som literally riddled with bullets, lay the al
dreaded duelist, Hiram Shore, gasping IN tn
last agony He articulated but single sen
tence: "Tell my mother that L am dead ant
gone to hell.' and instantly expired.
ssIn the name of God, who did this - ex
claimed the appalled, spectators.
.sI did it." said the beautiful milliner, sc
did it to save my honor!'
As may readily be imagined, the deed eau
sed an intense sensation. Public opinion
however. was divided. The poorer classes
crediting the girls version of the facts, laude
her heroism in terms of measureless culogy
Rut the friends of the deceased, and of thl
wealthy family, gave q different and darke
color to the affair, and denounced the lover
homicide as an atrocious criminal Unfortu
J.. nately for her, the officers of the law, espec
ally the Judge and sheriff, were devoted CON
: rades of the slain, and displayed their feeling
in a revolving partiality. The judge commit
:, ted her without the privilege OF bail, and ID
. sheriff chained her in the felon's dungeon
. Sucb is brief abstract of the circumstar
. ces developed in the examination of witne'
ses. The testimony closed and the pleadin
a began.
6 First of all. three advocates spoke in sue
} lection for the prosecution; but neither the
names nor their arguments are worth presel
IL NO1 md