The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-09-08

been known to visit disreputable houses.
1t was one of those houses that had
been burnt, for setting fire to which he
had been apprehended.
Now | had often persuaded Charles
Ambold from the course he was pursuing.
He had repeatedly promised me that he
would reform, and as repeatedly he had
broken away. / had often talked to him
of his poor mother, until he wept like a
child; but the effect was no: lasting.
There was q power of temptation more
effective than could WELD. He would
fall away in this evil companionship, and
for awhile his manhood was gone. One
or two abandoned women had gained
great power over him, and upon them he
had wasted much of his substance.
And l knew that this very man who
was now upon the jury--this Moulton
| Warrcn--was the one who had done more
than all others to lead the poor youth
away. 1t was Warren who had drank
with him, and who had led him away to
those abominable haunts of sin and pol
luton. Why was he upon the jury? l
could only account Cor it on the ground
that Charley still supposed him to be his
friend. The poor scorched insect was
still ignorant of the flame that scorched
him. He really believed that Moulton
Warren was his friend. ..rro..ss $50
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 l
have before intimated, was low sink of
iniquity, where the abandoned of both
sexes were wont to congregate; and where
the youthful prisoner had spent most Of
his time 49,. r
Theevidence for the prosecution came
on and I was startled. One after an
other gave in their testimony, some of
them very reluctantly, and 1 was frighten-
ed when L saw how plainly it all pointed
to the prisoner as the guilty party. Sew
eral credible witnesses swore that they
had heard him threaten to burn the house
down; and others had heard him say re-
peatedly that he arished it was burnt down!
Then came several witnesses of
them prominent citizens--who saw him
lurking about the premises on the night
of the FIRE. 5r .7u.... ..r..0 a.- e..
With regard to the provocation on the
prisoners part for such deed, it was
proved upon his own admission, that he
had been illtreated 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 upon the destruction
of that house. Next came testimony
stronger still. .r s .aa.
The fire had been set in back base.
ment room, where shavings and other stuff
for kindling were kept. Entrance had
been gained through back window, which
bad been partly pried open with stou
knife. This basement wall was of brick
and beneath the sash was found the blade
of knife which had been broken off il
trying to raise it (the sash This blade
was recognized as belonging to the p1is
oner's knife! A maker of cutlery hat
made knife to order for Ambold only
month previous, and he knew the blad
and swore to it. . .a.
But this was not ALL The fire ha,
been evidently set first to the shaving
which lay upon the stone floor, but pile'
up against wooden partition.
This floor was damp, and some of tn
outer shavings, even, were not who'll
burnt up. But just at the edge, where tn
: fire commenced, lay piece of paper
rolled up, and about half burnt, and fror
the manner in which it lay, it was YER
evident that the fire had been set with il
The piece of rolled paper had been igni
ted by match. number of which wer
scattered around, and as soon as it was o
/, fire it had been laid upon the floor, wit
the burning end just in the shavings. G
course these shavings were in blaze ir
stantly; but the paper torch, being upo
the damp stones, had not burnt wholly uI
), And this paper was found to be a pal
!, of letter belonging to the prisoner! :
:, letter which he had received from frien
:. of his (and friend of mine) only wee
: beforel This friend had to come forwar
and swear that piece of charred paper We
q piece of q letter he had written to ii
: prisoner! This friends name was Stephe
:, Grant. He was young merchant. an
;. the letter had been written for the pu
: pose of inducing Ambold to reform
= Stephen tried hard to avoid testifying, fl
he knew, as did others, that the FIRE mu
). have been set with that identical pape
70 but he was summoned, and he could n
/. deny his own chirography. @ $3.50
,e The case looked dark. Many witness
/. were willing to testify to the prisoner
e. good qualities but no one could swe
r that he was not dissipated and degrade
It That house had been to him, indeed,
n. region Internal. It's destruction cried o
Sc for his bodily life, and its existence hi
IN long been eating away bis soul, Po
Charley! had before been sure of /
70 innocence, but now / could only shake E
/ head and pity him. Hi a5-.-a ..
= 4