Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-11

times, lust as wanted it, and have kept no
account" "Now, if you had any wish to
harm the prisoner, couldn't you have raised
twenty five dollars to put in her trunk ~ ''No,
SIR" she replied, with virtuous indignation
eeThen you have not laid up any money since
YOU have been there ?'' s::No, sir-only what
Mrs. Naseby may owe me-" Then you didn't
have twenty five dollars when you came there!'
sNo. sir and what's more, the money found
in the girls trunk was the money that Mrs.
Naseby lost. You might have known that, if
you only remember what you hear"
This was said very sarcastically, and intend
ed as crusher upon the idea that she could
have put the money into the prisoners trunk.
However, l was not overcome entirely. s'NIl
you tell me if you belong to this State'" l ask
ed next, sI do, sir.'' SIN what town 20
She hesitated, and for moment her bold
look forsook her. But she finally answered. 81
belong TO Somcrs, Montgomery county,
next turned to Mrs. Naseby: ssDo You ev-
er take receipt from your girls when you pay
them % asked. s:Always," she answered.
ssCould you Send and get one of them for
me 2s' s.She told the truth, sir, about my
| Statements - Mrs. Naseby said. 'sOh, don't
doubt it, replied, but occular proof is the
proof for the court room. So if you can, |
wish you would procure me the receipts"
She said she would willingly go, if the court
said so. The court did say SO, and she went.
Her dwelling was not far off, and she soon re-
turned, and handed me four receipts which
took and examined. They were all signed in
strange, Struggling hand by the witness.
sNow, Nancy Luther,'' said l, turning to
the witness. and speaking in quick, startling
tone, at the same time looking her sternly in
the eye, sspleasc tell the court, and the jury
and tell me, too, where you got the seventy five
dollars you sent to your sister in Somers ~
The witness started, as though volcano had
burst at her feet. She turned pale as death,
and every limb shook violently. waited un-
til the people could see the emotion, and then
fc5O~tUd the question.
"l-never-sent-any 80 she family gasped
''May it please Your honor and gentlemen OF
the jury [ said, as soon as | had looked the
Wlthess out of countenance, ssI came here to
defend youth who had been arrested for help
ing to rob the mail, and in the course of nv
preliminary examinations, had access to the
|
money. When 1 entered upon the case. and
heard the name of this witness pronounced, l
went out and got this letter which now hold,
! for L remembered 20 have seen one bearing the
signature of Nancy Luther. The letter was
taken out of the mail bag, and contained sew
! enty-tve dollars, and by looking at the post
mark, you will observe it was mailed on the
very next day after the money was taken from
Mrs. Nascby's drawer. will read it to vol,
! if you please.
The court nodded assent, and read the fol-
lowing, which was without date, save that
made by the post masters stamp on the out
side. L give it here verbatim -
Sister Dorcas send you hcer seyente five
dollars, which want yu to kepe it for me til
| cum hum. L cant kepe it here coz ime afraid
IL VIII get stole, don't speke wun wurd tn a
Twin sole bout this coz don't want nobodj to
know L have got emmy money. WI wont will
yu- am first rate heer, only that guide for
nothln snipe of a liz madwurth is heer Wit
but L hope to git rid of her now. W. kno T
rote you bout her. Civ my luv to all enquirer
friends. this is from your sister till deth.
NANCY LUTHER.
"Now. your honor" said, as handed him
the letter, and also the receipts, ssyou will see
that the letter is directed to Dorcas Luther,
Somers, Montgomery County. And you will
also observe that one hand wrote that letter
and signed those receipts. 1t is plain, how the
hundred dollars were disposed of. Seventy
five were in that letter and sent away for safe |
keeping, while the remaining twenty five were
placed in the prisoners trunk for the purpose
eff covering the real criminal. OF the tone of |
the other parts of the letter, leave you to |
judge. And now, gentlemen of the jury, 1 |
leave my case in your hands, only thank God :,
and know you will, also, that an innocent
person has been thus strangely saved from ruin
and disgrace.''
The case was given to the jury Immediately
following their examination of the letter.
They had heard from the witnesses own mouth,
that she had no money of her own, and with
out leaving their seats, they returned YER
dict of '.Not Guilty!''
The youth who had first asked me to defend
the prisoner, caught me by the hand, but he
could not speak plainly. He simply looked
at me through his tears for the moment, and
then rushed to the fair prisoner. He seemed
to forget where he was, for he flung his arms
around her, and she laid her head upon his bo-
som and wept aloud.
will not attempt to describe the scene that
followed but if Nancy Luther had not been
arrested for the theft, she would have been O.
biged to seek the protection of the officers
Tor the excitedpeople would have surely maim-
morning, received note, handsomely writ