Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-09-04

that of an assassin"
But remember that Heyland had
threatened to deprive him of the lease
had blackened his character-sworn his
ruin-that fate had thrown BIN in his
path. Let us imagine that hot words
passed between them-perhaps even the
Colonel struck him-you can then ac-
count for the ready knife and the quick
blow"
" I see-I see," said Martin, sadly.
Even I could hardly have command
ed my temper under the circumstances.
l am sorry for poor Horton, but cannot
be too grateful for his detection, for after
what had passed between the Colonel and
myself and particularly as 1 left the inn
shortly after him, if the assassin had eff
fected his flight, I-even Knight have
been suspected"
You, sir? o, no !" exclaimed Martin.
The widest imagination would never
associated your name with murder"
Think you SO ?" said Sir Robert,
with a grave smile.
No circumstantial evidence would
have convinced jury of your guilt"
All men are not such partial judges
of my character as you are, Martin, .
replied Sir Robert. "And now let US
go to bed-it is waxing late, and we both
have need of Sleep
The trial of Farmer Horton for the
murder Of member of Parliament crea-
ted, of course, an intense excitement
throughout the country, and the court
house was thronged during the progress
of the trial. Even ladies were seen among
the spectators. The verdict surprised no
one. 1t was "guilty." When the prisoner
was called by the judge to say whatever
he might have to offer, he rose, and in a
firm voice addressed the bench
"My lord" said he, " have little tc
say, and that little, I am well aware, will
be ofno avail. The jury just pronounced
me guilty; to that awful verdict I car
only reply, as plead at the commence
ment Of this trial. am not guilty. Youl
verdict viii be recorded here-my pie;
at the bar of higher tribunal. I blame
no one. Circumstances have been TOT
hard for me. My lord and gentlemen o
the jury, Col. Heyland did not fall b.
my hand. l have slain men, but it wa
in the discharge ofmy duty on the strick
en- field. appeal TO my past characte
! there is nothing in my whole life tha
shows me likely to commit the crime.
threatened Colonel Heyland with ven
geance-but it was such veangence a
British laws accords to men illegally op
A pressed, that I allude to. On the nigh
v of the murder I lost my knife. l was re
turning from the village a-foot and carry
/. ing lantern, for it was quite dark, whe
1 stumbled on the dead body. knee
ed down and recognized to my horror
!. horn-handled knife-the same l had lo
+. sticking in the wound. / was engage
h in with drawingit it when parties returnin
from the election found me in that fat
d place and thus fatally engaged. I hay
" done, my lord. Add my name to IL
If long list of victims of circumstantial ev
dence. Time will wash the stain of bloc
l. from my memory. l can say no more
This speech made little impressio
Sentence of death was passed and Il
tv prisoner was remanded to his cell.
Id The evening before his execution Il
ed prisoner sent q message requesting to s.
m Sir Robert Ashland's private Secretar
d. In obedience to the desire of the unfort
e. nate man, Martin repaired to the 60
ne and was ushered into the condemned ce
where he was allowed a private inte
view.
n " Luke" said the farmer, eve ha
n always been good friends, and could I
ne 90 out of this world without parti
word of kindness. You do not belle
.r- me guilty, am sure. I tell you bo,
lis said the farmer solemnly, "as l told
p" good rector this blessed afternoon, tha
MS am guiltless of the murder"
le- Can it be possible Yet some Q
did the deed"
Gay, Martin, some one who had mC
Sir provocation than myself"
A sudden light flashed upon Marti
ire mind.
"No no p' he cried, recoiling fir
oss his hideous thought. 1t could not ha
i'm been him."
his Would you rather believe that
was done by your father?" asked
old man.
ear My father p'
"Martin-my sonny boy this
ox,o+ ,,,,,-+ ,,o+ no +ba cr,.o1-o ,,,;+l,