White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-08-20
WHITE CLOUD, KANSAS THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1851

Helen's tears fell fast But will not believe
they will judge the cause against yop Edward.
will employ Mr.. S. to defend you, he is an able
and eloquent man. will do everything
'Ah,' said Edward shaking his head. the VII
lain has laid his plot cunningly You see every
Circumstance is against me-
Helen kissed her brother, found alas. after so
many years supposing him dead. and fond in
such cruel circumstances. and promising to see
him tomorrow, she left the cell with tears still
standing in her beautiful eyes.
That night Mary Harland became an inmate
of the great house, andLwas warmly welcomed
BY her young cousins. The papers were taken
from their coneealment and put in place of
safety, ahdthe best lawyer in the county feed to
defend Edward Crary's cause.
The day of Edward Crary's trial at length
came on, and there was never before such an in
tense excitement. It WIS knswn far and wide
that the rich widow was sister to the criminal,
and was moving every power to obtain his ac
quittaL No trace of the money had been discov-
cred, and on this was founded the chief hope Of
the prisoner. The courtroom was filed with
spectators, and the crowd continually increased.
Amid deep silence, the prisoner, wearing a
calm and unusually cheerful eountenance, and
attired wholly in black, plead in his sweet, clear
voice,
Not guilty.
| The witnesses were examined. First came
Mary Harland, who shrunk timidly from the
crowd whose many eyes were fixed on her. Her
testimony varied not at all from that account
which she first gave to the magistrate. The
spectators were moved by pity to see this beau
tiful child obliged to testify against her nearest
and dearest relative.
Mrs. Armitage was next called and stated
what we have before related. The sight of her
youth, Of her loneliness, and of the deep sorrow
and evident reluctance with which she gave her
testimony moved even the stern Judge to COM
passion. She was asked if she could swear to
the prisoners identity to the robber.
Before God and man believe they were two
different persons said Helen, with deep sner-
g.
The testimony of Harry Armitage came next.
Pallid from his recent illness, the brave and no.
bic boy stepped upon the stand. A burst of sym
pathetic feeling. broke from the crowd, which
was hushed by the imperative mandate,
'Silence in the court!'
There was an ill-repressed murmur Of Joy,
when Harry after giving distinct account of
the robbery, swore positively he did not believe
the prisoner at the'baf to be the rObber.
After all the witnesses had been examined,
the court adjourned till afternoon, and the men
gathered in little knots around the corners, and
in the stores, and some were against but most
we're in favor Of the prisoner for the tide Of feel
ing had begun to turn in his favor. When the
court met again in the afternoon, it was more
crowded than ever, and most of the idlers around
the tavern had already left, when Ben Pearson
came rapidly huTying up,
Halo, Idle Bill cried he as he stepped into
the. bar, are you waiting for somebody to give
you drinkl'
Il can get what want for myself and no
thanks to you,' said Bill, in q suriy tone.
Can your said Ben carelessly. Il never
knew You to refuse glass before. Come, land
lord, a mug of cider. for it's powerful hot, and
I'm in hurry to get into the court
At this moment Idle Bill staggered up to the
counter and threw down piece of money, say
ing,
'Give me glass of rum, Parker; make it
pretty stiff and sweet
As the coin rolled Of the counter, Ben Pear
son picked It up, and started and changed color
at the sight of it. He said nsthing, however,
but handed it to the landlord, who took it, NUT
tering,
IT'S Turin coin, worth suppose, about
pistareen,' and tossing the change 70 Idle Bill.
'As I'm curious in coins, IN give you quar-
ter forit Is It bargain7' said Ben Pearson.
"A bargain said the landlord, passing the
coin and taking the exchange, as Idle Bill haV-
ing drank the spirit, staggered into court
THE fellow is drunk all the time lately, and
don't work much either said the landlord, poin-
ting with his thumb over bis shoulder at Idle
Bill.
'Ah,' said Ben, is it sol How goes the case,
landlordr
! Ten to one against the prisoner. All the cir
cumstances are clear and plain, but lawyer s.
. is mighty clever. They say he'll have heap
of money if he gets him clear. And besides all
that, his sister-he's just found her sut-has
promised FIVE hundred dollars to any body thAtT
find track of the real rObber, for she persists In
saying this amt the one
MAY be It in't,' said Ben. Is Mrs Armi-
tage here'
'Oh, for sartin,' she is a witness you know
But amt you going fn1'
| YES in a Moment and Ben Pearson's honest
face seemed perple1ed BY doubt Presently IL
cleared upa little, and of he started. The
landlord left the bar in charge Of 4 boy, and
hurried over to the courthouse, to hear the trial
go on.
Mr.. s. was certainly lawyer Of consummate
abilities, but he felt there was Iits nom to hope,
with such strong aray Of evidences against the
prisoner, especially IS he firmly refused 10 tel
where he was on the fatal night in question It
was point Of homer with Edward Crary, and
even the prospect of ignOminy could not make
him Eaver.
Just as Mr.. 8. was about 70 commence the de-
fence, q man made his way up TO him, and ID
dressed few words to him in low tone A