Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-06-03

/
heard the witness who preceded you, swear
that Mrs. Wesley told her that the identical
half eagle with the hole then made in it, was
! in her husbands trunk on or before the 10th
| OF last March.
EYES, said Murch, ssI heard her swear TO
| that, and was astonishcd, for Mrs. Wesley
| brought me the coin in the afternoon of the
| 10th and told me must have it fixed by noon
next day; at ii on the 18th she came for it,
and at that afternoon it was found in Miss
Montressor's trunk
The District Attorney turned sharp round
and gave the Wesleys piercing look. Mrs.
| Wesley, was immovablc but Wesley turned
pale and fairly covered beneath the gaze of
the Attorney, who, saw, was now convinced
of the true facts of the case; and Judge and
! jury seemed to be of the same mind. felt
certain, then, of verdict in my clients favor;
but how was to crush the Wesleys, and how
| win back her estate decided on my course.
! flanagan called next, and l showed by
| him that Mrs. Wesley had prosecuted the pris-
oner in the most outrageous Misunderstanding
her. and threatening to kill her, and ruin her
reputation, and treating her shamefulIy. His
| testimony excited so much Indignation against
the couple that 1 longed for the moment when
James Wesley should take the stand. When
Hannegan retired Mrs. Wesley whispered TO
her husband, and he whispered to the Attor-
ney. The latter seemed surprised, but an
nounced that the prosecution would there rest
the case.
| Everybody was surprised that the Wesleys
were not called, and my plans were all disar
ranged. l OWNED at once that Mrs. Wesley
| had suggested this course to shield her hus-
band and herself from cross-examination.-
Had the instinct of self preservation told her
what was coming? l rose to open M case for
the defence, and began by stating that l had
incontestibe evidence that a conspiracy had
been entered in to blast the character Of my
client, to enable the parties in the conspiracy
to perfect certain secret plans, which would
fill the community with horror. | saw that
everybody was prepared to believe almost ev-
erything, and determined to waste no time in
words. So requested that James Wesley
might be sworn, and desired the Judge to have
Eunice Wesley removed while her husband
was being examined. She was taken ont by
the Sheriff and turned to question James
Wesley.
sJames Wesley" said I, stcrnly, show
came that scar your forehead %
As the villain turned ghastly pale, stagger-
ed, and clutched at the railing of the witness
box for support, felt sure of my man.
eAnswer me, Bob Harmon; how came that
scar on your forehead 70
At the mention of the name ssBob Harmon,''
the wretch fell back upon the seat and groaned,
ssOh don't-dOn't bring that agin me!''
| 81 shall bring that up, and more too, unless
you answer me truly about this pretended theft.
Now, tell me-did not Eunice Gregory put
these things in Miss Montressors trunk ?''
sob my God how did you know about Eu-
nice Gregorys Do not bring that up now, it's
| gone by years ago. groaned the wretched
| man.
ssAnswer me, then did not your wife put
these things in Miss Montressor's trunk 7''
eyes she did, let the girl go, aud don't ask
me any more questions.''
The excitement had now become overwhelm-
ing, and the witness began to fear his bodily
safety-a fact determined to use as an addi-
| tional screw.
81 shall ask for little morc,'' replied, s.as
/ do not wish to expose you to the rage of this
audience, if you'll answer promptly. Where
is the will that old Mr.. Gregory executed, in
which he made his grandchild, Helen Montres-
sor, his heir, and which he gave her to give to
his lawyer when he returned-the will your
wife stole from the child as she lay sleeping 2''
ssOh, Lord it'sc at last just as told
her it wouid.''
ssWher re is the will ?'' 1 thundered.
ssIt is burnt,'' he exclaimed, s'but Helen is
his only surviving relation, and the. viii by
which my wife got the property is forged one"
Having achieved everything, and not caring
to proleng the painful scene, asked the Dis
trict Attorney if it would not be best TO dis
miss the case. He cheerfully assented, and
Miss Montressor, who in her flush of agitation
and thankfulness looked more lovely than ev-
er, was released from the custody of Mr.. Mace
and placed in charge of his wife, while Wesley
and his wife skunk away from public indigna-
tion.
The excitement was so great the Court was
not adjourned till p. m, and was obliged to
state for the qualification of the crowd how 1
had managed to get on the track of the Wes-
leys. / told them that many years before l
had read an account of the murder of child
by its aunt, Eunice Gregory, assisted by her
lover, one Bob Harmon, for the purpose OF
possessing her niece's estate In that account
it was stated that Harmon, at the time of the
murder, had fallen down an area and gashed
his forehead terribly, which afterwards healed |
and left peculiar scar. The hints received
from Helen's story, and the letter signed Eu-