Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-20
ed, 81 win be witucss-the judge i, guiltier

/ =
| than 20
have not space for his story, but its a.
mount was. that long before the Judge remor-
| ed to the West, they had been confederatcs
at the East in circulating counterfeit money
while horseiockeying. They were connected
with a wel-organzed and secret band. The
leaders were the manufacturers and bankers of
| the ssboodie.' Middle-men brought it and
dispensed it to the underings who purchased
it at discount of fifty cents, to pass it off at
par. AS fast the last counterfeit was dis
covered, a new one was made. Judge c.,
while upon the bench, was able to be as moral
and as severe as he pleased with the underling
classes, who never knew the haunts and ways
and partnerships of those above them.
But the man whose trial was for the day, for
whom Judge Chad interceded, was one of
the upper class, and hence the necessity OF
the action.
ssIt is time now to see the judge said l,
turning TO the Grand Juryman, who were pet
riied at the tale they had just heard.
No one answered.
81 will go and prepare him for Tour action"
/ next said ssfor to indict him in his own
court, while he is upon the bench, will be a
scandalupon JUSTICE
As entered the court room he was announ-
cling the noon recess. There was little room
oft, containing a few law books and desk,
| into which be usually retired, and thither
followed him.
"Jadge,'' said land my voice trembled
like the voice of man under severe ague, so
terribly was l wrought up by the excitement
Of the mornings accusations and confession
-''Judge, have very, very bad news for
yOu.''
E'For me ?" said he, with the utmost nom
chalance, notwithstanding the popularity and
mystery OF my manner.
eyes, for you the Cincinnati lawyer has
told all,'' l shook out rather than spoke.
I
pocrisy and caimness OF demeanor, and for
a moment knew not what to say. Then ia
king from my vest pocket two of the bills
unrolled from his chimney dcpositc, | held
them before him and said s.He has told
about these and 1 myself, last night, saw You
place the counterfeit money in the e-place,
when he placed his in his boots.''
His composu:e instantly gone. He
wiltcd like q scorchrd weed on the prairie
and his manhood gave way as il he had been
afflicted with sudden paralysis. The room
rather swan before my eyes, for the sight OF
a culprit Judge was not an every day one. and
then found him at my knees grovelling on
the door like dog.
He tore his hair, wrenchcd his hands, his
eyes glared, and his powerful frame quivcrcd
in every part. Indeed 1 was unnamed my
self, TO behold SO sudden and wretched a
sight.
"Oh good W dear W! don't betray me!
CODSluGF HOW Sulul SDu uuSc oH
the disgrace My wife and children What
will they say 7 Don't bctray me was to be
the next Governor-you know that Oh-oh
-oh-how dreadful - and he rocked himself
on his knees to and fro, almost bursting with
agony.
These were some of the heart narrowing in
cohcrencies which can now remember over
all the dreadful sciences that followed.
| raised him from the floor, and placed him
in a chair and then said "Alas, Judge c.,
appeals to too late. Your confederate
has told all, and the Grand Jury has taken his
testimony" His eye-balls glared at me like
those OF !, maniac. Then, as if wrung by some
wonderful impulse, he became calm. Indeed
that calmness was more dreadful to behold
than had been his excitement, imprecations,
and agonizing cntreaty.
"Well, if it must be so, ii must. But let me
see the foreman only for moment, bring him
Up--go tor hltn-leaYe the room-go-do go
go l''
His excitement was returning; ard without
rejecting. as should have done. turned and
LETT the room, amid the curious looks OF the
crowd who had now gathcrcd-for, in those
Yves 'ern settlements, secrecy was of no moment
about Grand Jury matters. and hall the village
already knew the tory had just crossed the
court room, repeat, when heard 4 dreadful
groan and simultaneous pistol report.
II was then succeeded by an instant of terri
BILE silence, and then the crowd burst into the
room.
Judge C. lay upon the floor, with his blood
and brains shockingly scattered about the lit
tie chamber. When L returned he had drawn
his pistol, and to his other crime added that
of suicide. He was ghastly sight to see, nor
shall ever forget the memories of that dread
ful day, when was compelled to behold the
living agony and the dying woes of culprit
Judge, in sight of that bench and bar whereat
he had SO often presided in convicting and
sentencing villains less guilty than he himself
had been.