Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-06-19
fflisfrllaurous Articles.
THE INNOCENT CONVICTED.
A PAINFUL STORY.

though innocent, was convicted. lhe
case occurred within the last four years.
Mr.. T, a young man of high char
acter, with respectable family connections
was employed for twenty years in one Of
the largest firms in the Manchester line
in the city, the last three Of which as
buyer for the establishment. In that
capacity he laid out on an average from
100000 to 100000 a year. In the
early part of 1853 he left town for Man
chester by the night mail; on arriving
at - station he changed his mind, and
determined not to proceed to Manchester
that night. On leaving the station for
the hotel, he was stopped by police
officer, who accused him of stealing the
carpet bag which he had in his hand !
on examination it was found to be the
property of another gentleman. He en-
deayored to explain that he took it by
mistake but to no purpose. lie was
searched, his ticket for Manchester was
found on him. This fact was considered
conclusive evidence that his leaving the
train at this intermediate station was done
for felonious purposes. Another police
man coming up at the moment, at once
recognized in the person ofMr. T 81
notorious swell-mobsman from London,
and loosely taking the gold watch and
chain from my friends neck, said, i sup
pose this is part ofthe proceeds ofyour
calling Expostulation on the part of
the accused was vain. lie declared his
innocence, and asked for his own bag,
but the idea of his possessing such an
article was utterly ridiculed, and his re-
, quest was looked upon as part of the
sbarper's dodge. After little further
! ceremony he was consigned to a cell for
the night, 10 wait his examination. He
implored permission to write to his wife
but so great a favor could not be granted
The accusation, even at this early stage
had done its work. Excitement set in
and in the agony of his distress he con
ceiyed futile design of attempting t,
escape from the horrors Of the place b,
was in, and the foulness of the charge
> Unfortunately the attempt was made
: and from that moment his fate was sealed
> Without being permitted to communicate
! with his friends, he was examined befor
; the magistrates, and committed to tn,
county Jail. A gentleman of high char
acter in the city, with my unhapp,
: friends employer intended to be presen
i at the trial, to speak to character. Blu
: the fatality which in the first instance be
d fell him, pursued him with unrelentin
:, perseverance. The names of the wi
II nesses for character were called; but a
5 the trial unfortunately took place twenty
Is four hours earlier than in ordinary cours
was expected, they were not presen
The Jury, without leaving the box, foun
him guilty; the judge approved the We
. diet, and the poor man was sentenced
nj some years Imprisonment. The resu
To of this unfortunate illegal accident wa
or that the wife of the unfortunate m;
of nearly persisted in childbirth. Thr
ba weeks later her two eldest children We
an carried off by scarlet fever in ten da
H. more her infant died, within three mont
he from that time she received informant
yas from the Governor of the jail that b
ed husband was dying, and that she mt
led proceed Immediately to him if she wish
,r. to see him alive. She entered
he wretched cell. There, before her,
nd her husband helpless, paralyzed {
20. man-an idiot. His hair, which thu
It months ago had not a grey hair in
,cb was now perfectly white. His age,
nos years. Fortunately for him, he KIN
,vs her not. Her passionate and heart-rel
NJ. ing grief, which wrung the hearts of tn
az around, fell dead on his ear; all hun
.;Iv sympathies were gone. Reason '
iors rudely jOstled from her seat. He ca
de- not for judge, jury, or policeman, and
ma, gazed unconciously on the wife of
r. early and afectionate love, and the mo
80 er Of his helpless children. | need
5;5 dwell upon this scene. After some
10 malities at the Home Office, he was
sss moved to apriyate asylum, near Lond
He was once more a free man, but
= what purpose In a short time he S;
ut a and died. Would that l could here cl
that this tale Of misery. The husbands r.
.n;i- lions, for reasons which it is for them
to account for, and, if they can, just
re- thought proper to shun the widow
era children Of their degraded relatiYel
light years passed, and the little all she ha
rom rings, jewelry and part of her furni
feet were consumed in the support of
and helpless children. She sought emp