Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-04-02

life was gone, and that could not well
handle the body alone, remounted my
horse and started back for help.
'sIt has been urged that if 1 had really
sought help I would have ridden on towards
Dantonville, where I could have found it
within half mile, rather than towards
point woere there was no house for over six
miles. But could not stop to think then.
My first intent was towards home, and [ fol-
lowed it. [ had gone four miles when my
horse fell. He was too lame to trot. Soon
afterwards was overtaken by Dunk Har-
rold and another man, who arrested me for
the murder. With ragard to the knife
the knife found was mine, and, it had been
stolen from me that day."
The youth sat down as he ceased speak
ing and the judge shook his head.
''Any one can invent story like that, .
he said, in his charge to the jury, "but no
one could have invented the circumstances
which bear against the prisoner"
In short there seemed to be no hope for
the youth. Though people pitied him, yet
I could see they shook their heads dubious
ly when he pleaded his innocence.
The judge had summoned the evidence
all up making it more strong against the
prisoner than before if possible, and the ju-
ry were on the point of retiring, when
sudden commotion was perceptible at the
door, and in a moment more young girl,
or maiden, rushed into the courtroom with
her long chestnut hair floating wildly in the
wind, her bosom heaving deeply and her
eyes fairly burning with intense eagerness.
It was Isabel Wallace. She was beauti-
full girl; tall, straight, and nobly proper
toned with face of striking loveliness,
and form at once voluptuous and queen
ly. She cast one quick glance oflove upon
the prisoner, full Of love, eagerness and
hope, and then returning to the judge, she
cried:
lis he tried yet, sir ?-1s he found gull
ty?"
'sNot yet-but he soon will be-" answer
ed the judge, overcoming his astonishment
as quickly as possible for the benefit of his
dignity.
ooh! he's innocent. He's innocent !''
the fair girl exclaimed. stHe's not the
murderer. Ho! officers seize unoa~
Harold, and see that he does not escape
Quick! quick! - @s- .7'21
Even as the maiden entered the room
Harold had moved nearer to the door, and
as these last words were uttered he made
rush for the street, but a stout boatman in the
doorway held him until the Sheriff came up.
The fellow struggled hard, but a pair of
iron cuffs were soon placed upon his wrists,
and he was carried back
''Now," continued the girl, turning to
the judge, "Will you send whom you please
to take my uncle's word down! lie is a.
lire r'
At these words Edward Demarton start
ed to his feet and uttered cry of joy
But his feelings quickly overcome him and
he sank fainting back As soon as the first
outburst of astonishment consequent upon
this startling intelligence had passed, Isa-
bel explained what had happened. She
said two physicians were with her uncle,
and that he had revived from his lethargic
sleep, and that he had his senses perfectly,
and that he wished to give to the proper
person an account of the assault which had
been made upon him.
The court was adjourned at once, and
then the judge himself, accompanied by
three Of the lawyers and the foreman of the
jury, went to the merchants house. They
found the wounded man very weak and
the physicians said he could not live long.
AS the newcomers were arranged about
his bed, he related to them as follows:
He said that on the day he started for
Dantonville, he saw young Demarton athis
store, and that all the difference between
them was there made up, and also that he
promised to meet him in Dantonville. He
started alone on horseback, having first
packed away five thousand dollrrs, which
he was to carry with him. It was dusk
when he started, and in half an hour it was
fairly MI ght, only there was bright moon
When he reached the little wood, he was
overtaken by Dunk Harold. He felt
sudden fear that Harold meant to rob him,
for he (Harrold) had seen him pack
ing the money away in his pocketbook.
SO he made move for his pistol, but be-
fore he could reach it Harold gave him
blow on the head with short club, which
knocked him from his horse He remem-
bered well of the villain stabbing him seve-
raj times, and knew too, when he took the
money from his pocket. He could remem-
Der nothing more until he came to his
senses on the morning of the then present
day.
The physicians said that the sufferer had
been in short cataleptic state, induced by
one of the stabs, and partly aided by the
blow on the head. His account was taken
down, word for word, by one of the lawyers,
and duly witnessed while the two physi-
clans swore that the man was in possession
of full senses and sound mind. With these
attested documents, the party returned to
the courtroom.
The court was quickly opened, and ere