Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-12

ted, and more than one person consider.
ed the burning of the ricks an act of mer
tied letribution. Mr.. Jepson drove me
over, and obtained for me a seat in court,
there he left me, for he was one of the
witnesses. The room filled rapidly, on
every side were familiar faces, and by and
by, the squire entered with a party of his
friends, looking resolute and INDECENT
A halfsuppressed hiss, greeted him, which
he either did not hear, or else he scorned,
for he took the seat allotted to him with
the air of an injured, but benevolent in
dividual. At length the Judge appeared,
and last Of all, my dear father, with a
firm step, stood before the bar.
The usual forms were gone through !;
several witnesses were called, to prove
the threat uttered by my father. and that
he was seen on the evening of the fire
hurrying away from the direction of the
burning ricks. The steward and consta
BILE related the facts of his absence from
home, and Of his return and capture
The case was thus strong against the pris-
oner, when the judge called upon him for
his defence.
At this moment a barrister whose pres
ence I had not before observed, rose and
intimated that he appeared for the priso
ner at the bar. Every eve was turned
upon him, for it was well known that no
advocate had been employed on my faith
er's behalf. Youthful. slight, at a first
glance be seemed but a feeble champion,
but when his face was turned towards
me and I marked the eyes so quick and
piercing the firm indomitable energy of
that noble countenance, joy, hope and
wonder took possession of me. What
could it be $50 changed, and yet SO
like! The first syalla5le Of his voice
assured me that it aods Frank Stopford-
my Frank-who pleaded for my father;
and such pleading At the glorious elo
quent words that flowed so easily from
his lips the very breath of his hearers
uccTned susprrs-d--Allmy years Of pa
tient waiting-of earnest, faithful love;
were richly repaid me in the happiness of
that hour. The words he uttered have
passed from my memory, absorbed in the
feelings that called into fresh life, all but
his last words which were these =" Gen
tleman | was the horseman whom farmer
Flower guided on his road, an act of
kindness which had nearly cost him so
dear. Ny servant who was with me; will
corroborate my testimony and I trust
you will need no further evidence to sat
isfy you of the prisoners complete inno
cence of the charge laid against him.
Without leaving the court, the twelve
jurymen amid the tears of some and hearty
cheers of others, declared John Flower
"Not Guilty"
Five minutes afterwards, in a small
back room, | was waiting for my father,
with a heart overlooking with JOY and
gratitude, when the door opened, and
Frank Stopford entered. Forgetting the
years We had been parted, forgetting all
but that he was the deliverer of my faith
er, the n idolized thought of my life, |
few to him, l covered his hand with
kisses and tears. Frank, beloved re.
stored to me at last!" Isaid, o, never
let us part again J"
Madam" he replied, in an agitated
voice, was not prepared for such a
scene as this. / did not look for this ex,
cess of gratitude
20, Frank !" I cried, with bitter tears,
" you no longer love me-you are cold
and changed !"
"Jessy," he answered, trembling from
head to foot, +" what means this Had
you loved me, you would have answered
the letter | sent you the day after our
parting"
The letter you sent me-what letter?
| received none"
"And have you for these seven years
kept the promise you made to me under
the elms at Stratford-to love, and hope
and wait 2"
YES, Frank, I have never forgotten
it, or ceased to love YOU"
With a look of unalterable anguish, he
exclaimed, Alas alas to think that
it is TO- too late! My poor Jessy. this
heart, which should have been all yours.
is now another's, and past recall. | am
married"
\ \
When I recovered fromthe long death
like swoon into which ] sunk, the first
words | heard we're those of Mr.. Jepson.
"Yes, Mr.. Flower, the gentleman who
defended you was the celebrated Mr..
Stopford, the son of the old g~amekeeper.
It's wonderful how he has risen. they say
his marriage helped him on, though. His
wife is a daughter Of General M'Kenzie :;
very fine woman rather older than him
large fortune. He has bought a beauti
full place three miles from here he was
on his way there when you met him that
night"
"Ah, Jessy," said my father, Judged
wrong once it was a bad day for thee,
my poor child, when I refused Frank
Stopford."
1t was the last time the name ever
passed bis lips and Isgrew in the course
Of years, to think without pain Of the
maDto whom the best and brightest years
of my life lad been devoted.
We were escorted home by a band of
;o;r1 friAnda in kha Avaninp thal