Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-25

and near his dead companion. Stephen was
in strict confinement in an upper room by order
| of his father, and no one knew what was 60
| ing on there No one that knew him and his
| love for that mother would believe it posi-
BILE that he had murdered her, and yet the
case was said to be even clearer than circum-
stancial evidence. for the father himself had
seen the son mingling the fatal draught, and
had not dreamed of its nature till the catas-
trophe proclaimed it.
| was visiting at friends house in the
neighborhood and heard of the occurrence. |
may be pardoned for adding that the daughter
of my friend was not visible that morning at
breakfast, having heard the terrible history
from servant and having been a very close
friend Of young Stephen.
Why need disguise the truth. This is in
tended to be simple history, without plot or
plan, other than to relate each incident as it
occurred, and | may therefore say at once that
she loved him with a woman's adoring love,
aud that she was not unloved in return. That
she scorned the story of his guilt you will not
doubt, and it was at her suggestion that rode
over to the inquest.
| had never seen them before Never
heard of them indeed Yet was struck with
both faces !; of the father quite as much as
that of the son. The latter was noble and
manly-a keen black eye cleaned with the
look of conscious innocence, not unmingled
with hatred of the father, who had suffered
him to stand bound by his dead mother, accus-
ed of numbering her. The fathers face was
pale, calm, even lofty. But he avoided the
eye of his son, and looked only where he was
certain of receiving no answering look, even
into the face of the sleeping woman who had
been his wife and that boys mother. She
looked neither lovingly nor reproachfully at
him now. 1t was never thus before, and some
how he had no difficulty in keeping his gaze
! fixed on her, so wonderful was that placid ST.
| lence.
| shall not pause here to describe the Gu
rious evidence which was presented to the
coronerS jury going to establish the guilt of
the son. 1t is incredible to one not accustom-
ed to these scenes, the amount of evidence
that may be amassed against even an innocent
man. Aud in this case, as step by step, with
out aid or suggestion, the testimony revealed
! itself, one by one the friends of young Ste
phen dropped away from him, aud | was left
as lawyers often are, alone by the side Of my
client, for such he had now become.
On my word, 1 believe that bnt for the
clear, confident tones of Mary Wilson's voice
assuring Inc of his innocence | should have
believed the story myself, and left the matr-
eide to his fate.
The jury adjourned till evening, to allow
| post-mortem examination to take place. during
this interval | soughl neeting with the IA
ther. The result Of it is given in the words
with which this history commences. 1t was
my last argument to fathers heart, that at
tempt to move him, by the love of his son, to
some exertion on behalf Of the boy
''lf you do not aid him he will perish
"Then let him die"
looked suddenly into the mans counte-
nance He was tall thin rnan, of even com
| manding appearance, and the eye did not dis
| pute the stories had heard of his former life,
| that he had been dissolute, and that of late he
| had resorted again at times TO the companions
aud employments Of his younger years. AS |
| looked into his face the idea came over me
| with lightning force that the motive for mur-
der was quite as great on his part as on that
! of the son, for could he but kill the mother and
hang the son, the inheritance of ample farms
and funds would be his alone. Could it be
possible? 1t was terrible thought, but the
| life of city practitioner had even then ac-
customcd me to such ideas, though it was in
the Younger years of my practice.
| returned to Stephen, and talked with him.
His a>tonlshment at his position had by this
time given away to grief for his mother, and
he was weeping bitterly yet such tears as no
murderer ever wept. Ipaused while he recover
ed caImness and the deep serenety of his grief
overpowered me for moment, while | looked
at him The conviction of hs innocence grew
| I Oh u,itI hntf fha nitrhl pf
evidence against him was overpowering, and
the examination which was now concluded,
had confirmed the worst aspect Of the case.
1t needed only the proof, furnished within a
few DAYS, of the chemist in New York from
whom he had purchased the article, to com
plete as strong chain of evidence as ever
bound a man to the prospect of ignomnious
DEATH
pass over all the incidental history in con-
nection with this sorrowful affair. The effect
in the family of my friend Wilson-where, if
I desired it, should go to find spice of ro-
nance and sentiment to add to this history
shall leave for the Imagination of those who
have defended friends against the verdict of a
harsh world Let me therefore pass on inn
mediatelv to the courtroom and the trial OF
Stephen Forster, which took place some two
months after the death of the mother.
1t was hot summer day. The day was
oppressive at the early hour when | was arous.
ed to go over to the courthouse, and as | rode
across the country, the sultry air was exceed,
ingIy dispritng / had not taken charge OF
the defense myself. Two eminent counsel
were engaged, familiar with criminal practice
men of keen intellect, and whose experience
in that branch of the profession enabled them
to catch at every chance for life, and to de
tect every flaw, however minute, in the links
of the evidence opposed to them.
1t was very old courtroom in which the
trial took place. The bench for the court was
at the end opposite to the entrance, and con
! sisted of a raised platform. with table on it