Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-04
MisceIlancous.
A SCENE IN A JURY ROOM.
A THRILLING STORY.

j, effect | could not swear that | was deaf. nor
blind, nor yet non compos but did tell them
that had already formed an opinion. They
asked me if my opinion would prevent me
from receiving the testimony in good faith,
and rendering a verdict according TO IT,
replied that of course ! should weigh the ev-
idonce carefully, and be governed by it,
was then informed that | s. would do
The case TO be tried was one Of arson
then a capital ofence-and the prisoner at
the bar was young man, named Charles
Ambold, whom ! had known from boyhood,
and who was naturally one Of the finest youths
Of the town where he resided. lie had a Wild
owed mother who depended upon him for sup
port and his circle Of friends was large and
choice. ! was morally certain that he did
not commit the crime. and hence, am sure.
those who were friendly to him got me on the
panel. and had me retained.
The trial commenced and we twelve men
took our seats in the jury box l had a very
respectable set with me-only there was one
man whom ! didn't like to see there. This
man was Moulton Warren. lie was a dark
faced. sinister looking fellow--at least to me.
] knew that young Ambold had one fault
He had recently been addicted TO drink and
had been known to visit disreputable houses.
1t was one of those houses that had been
burned for setting fire TO which he had been
apprehended.
Now had often tried 20 dissuado Charles
Ambod from the course he was pursuing
He had repeatedly promised me that he would
reform, and as repeatedly had he broken away.
] had often talked TO him of his poor mother,
until be had wept like child but the effect
was not lasting There was power Of temp
tation more effective than any influence could
WELD lie would fan away into this evil COM
panonship and for while his manhood was
gone One or two abadoucd women had
gained great power over him and upon them
be wasted much of his substance
And knew that this very man who was
now upon the iury--this Moulton Warren
was the one who bad done more than an oth-
crs 10 lead the poor youth away. 1t was
Warren who had drank with him. and who
had led him away 60 those most abominable
haunts of sin and pollution. Why was he
upon the jury could only account for it
upon the ground that Charley still supposed
him to bc his friend The poor scorchcd i'm
sect was still ignorant of the flame that scorch-
ed him. lie really believed that Moulton
Warren was his friend.
The trial commenced The indictment set
lor'u tN"' nlt ''' -,''uy'" n'N' WIN man,
aiorethousht' and with all sorts oi wicked
and ielomous intenis. set hre 10 certain
dwelling house, thereby endangenng human
life. This dwelling as have already ntima-
ted, was low SINK OF imqnity' "here the a.
bandoned Of both sexes were won't to congre-
gate and where the youthful prisoner had
spent much OF ms time.
The evidence for the prosecution came on
and l was startled One after another gave
in their testimony, some OF them gerry reiu'-
: family y' ana ! was irlshtohed "neh "a" no"
plainly i' an pointea 20 inc prisoner as tnc
gwl'y party 9e'vt"' g'eu.oio
sWore that 'hey hau hea'I MN 'DIel'5" W
burn the house down ana others ha" uearG
MN say that "s '','''e " was ouLh'u uo"n
Then came several "ltnesscs-Inreo ,i o' tne
{ prominent o''1'ns-Wno saw n.'. ,D, N''s
ABOUT thc premises on 'ne H'snl VI 'IJ ".o
''n ie6a'" 10 tne I,IoVo.''lol' ON wv. '''s
oh't part I'. 9u'l d '.," "' M
on nus own ""in'ssl,H' '.l"' H' n'" "1'" .''-
p treated ih'fe' oh0 taat nc Aa" sworn Nv 'N'
: revenge, AAo i4f'NeI more W
Chat he had been h'afa 10 say 5n'' nus ''', a.
g uon Of 'oui ave" o,"y q ooPe11'' uP'H ''s "e