San Andreas independent., 1858-06-12
A SCENE IN A JURY ROOM.
A THRILLING STORY.

ing business to serve upon "the Jury"
| plead in all manner of ways for release,
but to no effect I 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 re-
ceiving the testimony in good faith, and
rendering verdict according to it. Ire
piled that of course | should weigh the
evidence carefully, and be governed by it.
| was then informed that [ "would do"
The case to be tried was one of arson
then capital offense-and the prisoner
at the bar was young man named Chas.
Ambold, whom l had known from boy
hood, and who was naturally one of the
finest youths of the town where he resi-
ded. He had a widowed mother, who
depended upon him for support, and his
circle of friends was large and choice l
was morally certain that he did not COM
nit 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. [
had a very respectable set with me-only,
there was one man whom [ didn't like to
see there. This man was Moultor War
ren. He was dark-faced sinister-look-
ing 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 to persuade
Charles Ambold from the course he was
pursuing. He had repeatedly promised
me that he would reform, and as repeat
edly had he broken away ] had often
talked to him of his poor mother, until he
had wept like child but the effect was
not lasting. There was power of tempt
alton more effective than any influence [
could WELD. He would fall away into
this evil companionship, and for while
his manhood was gone. One or two aban-
doned women had gained great power over
him, and upon them he wasted much of
his substance
And | knew that this very man, who
was now upon the jury-this Moulton
Warren-was the one who had done more
than all others to lead him away to those
more abominable haunts of sin and pollu-
ton. Why was he upon the jury? |
could only account for it upon the ground
that Charley still supposed him to be his
friend. The poor scorched insect was still
ignorant of the fame that scorched him.
He really believed that Moulton Warren
was his friend.
The trial commenced. The indictment
set forth that Charles Ambold had, with
malice aforethought, and with all sorts OF
wicked and felonious intents, set fire to a
certain dwelling house, thereby endan-
gering human life This dwelling, as |
have already intimated, was low sink OF
iniquity, where the abandoned of both
sexes were wont to congregate; and where
the youthful prisoner had spent much Of
his time
The evidence for the prosecution came
on, and | was startled. One after anoth-
er gave in their testimony, some of them
very reluctantly, and | was frightened
when [ saw how plainly it all pointed to
the prisoner as the guilty party Several
credible witnesses swore that they had
heard him threaten to burn the house
down; and others heard him say repeat.
edly that he wished it was burned down
Then came several witnesses-three OF
the prominent tcitizens-who saw him lurk-
ing about the premises on the night of the
fire.
With regard to the provocation on the
prisoners part of such a deed, it was
proved upon his admission, that he had
been ill-treated there and that he had
sworn to have revenge And further
more, it was proved that he had been
heard to say that his salvation of soul and
body depended on the destruction of that
house. Next came more testimony stron
ger still.
The fire had been set in back base
ment room, where shavings and other stuff
for kindlinS were kept Entrance had
been gained though back window, which
had partly been pried open with stout
knife. This basement wall was of brick
and beneath the sash was found the blade
of knife which had been broken in try
ing to raise it (the sash.) The blade was
recognized as belonging to the prisoner
knife! A maker of cutlery had made &
knife to order for Ambold only month
previous, and he knew the blade at once
and swore to it.
! But this was not ALL The fire had been
evidently set first to the shavings which
lay upon the stone floor, but piled ur
against wooden partition. This fool
was damp, and some of the outer shavings
even, were not wholly burned up. But
just at the edge, where the FIRE commenc-
ed, lay piece of paper, rolled up, and
about half burned, and from the manner
in which it lay, it was very evident that
the fire had been set withit. This piece OF
rolled paper had been ignited by match,
a number of which were scattered around
and as soon as it was on fire it had been
laid upon the floor, with the burning end
inst IN tho shavinoc OF courSe these