Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-02-15

whose hands they had been placed. But the
latter could not find them. The secretary
shook his head suspicously.
The next day, police officers entered Helm
old's house, declared him under arrest, and
demanded all his papers, which we're sealed
up, and given in charge of the director of the
police. The whole family were overwhelmed
with terror and grief. Helmold, conscious of
his innocence, sought to console them as well
as he could. He himself remained composed.
In the formal examination of Helmold's pa
pers, which was carried on in his presence,
certain papers were discovered, belonging to
the Office of state. These he declared, he had
brought there when he was SICK, and had per-
mission to do his work at home. That they
had not been returned was owing entirely, he
said, to forgetiulness. For this he must, he
said, beg pardon.
His private papers and letters were all read
through, for traces and proofs of reasonable
correspondence. And some expressions in the
letters of his foreign friends appeared to JUS
tiiy suspicion. Letters were found, in which
he held forth pretty freely upon the dukes
appointment Of the president of the privy-
council. and in which he called the latter a ia
vorite of the dukes predicting little good to
the land from his benficent changes in the ad-
ministration. But it was evident, also, that
he had changes his opinions with the bright
ening prospects of the land, and that these
confidential letters really threw no more sus-
pcion on his loyalty than similar opinions ex-
pressed to friend in common conversation.
ct there the fatal lines were, in black and
white. Everything was tortured into charge
against him. a formal warrant was made out
against him, and he was arraigned as state
criminal and treacherous official.
When Helmold heard these charges he rose
and with smile, replied: 'sProofs are sought
against me, and they are found. confess that
| have permitted state-paperS to remain In the
houSp but n bp rt ppulH npSSiblV there
from TO the state. [ confess, l have been free
in giving my opinions about state affairs to
confidential friends, but no harm could come
of that. NJ more recent correspondence and
my published sentiments in my periodical,
show how my opiaions have changed through
the wise and happy measures of the admins
| tration. But this: l suppose, will have very
| little weight If any one of you, gentlemen,
were to be treated in this way, if instances OF
forgetfulneSs were to be strictly interpreted,
If your papers. your private letters, your oPin-
ions expressed in confidence, were to be thus
called in question, there is not one of you who,
perhaps, would not be just as worthy of con-
demnation as IL
These declarations excited the greatest in
dignation in the court. Helmold continued to
speak in this tone with dignity and force. He
was, at last, interrupted by the murmurs of the
judges, and the president babe him be silent,
and ordered him TO be led away. Upon this,
a gray-headed councillor, Fcriach, rose, and
said sit is wrong to interrupt the defence in
this manner. We prove, by our treatment OF
the defendant, that he is in the right. We are
carrying Oh this trial, not in the spirit of JUS
ticc, but hostility. 1 protest against this
course. l will not give my assent to It, and
demand that my protest be recorded"
IN vain was it attempted TO teach the old
man better, to warn him how he tempted the
anger Of the duke. 81 have grown gray" he
said, ssin the service of the state. l have al
ways loved justice. When such inqusitorial
proceedings are permitted, his grace must al
! low me 10 think as | please.''
When the Baron Leinau and the Duke learn
ed the arrest of Helmold, and his trial, they
let the matter take its course. But when the
bold language of old Ferlach was reported to
the duke, he appeared to be struck. The
courtiers all observed 'thc princes look and
every one seemed ready to ask, 'sShali we ru-
in him too ?''
The dwelling Of the Helmold's was filed
with mourning. Helmold was in custody, ac-
cused of serious crimes. He was put in close
confinement. Even his wife and children were
forbidden to speak to him except in the pres
ence of witnesses. In a short time, money
began to fail in the household. Mrs. Hemold
applied to her friends. They endeavored to
avoid her. and kept away as from a house on
which the curse of the Lord rested.
TO BE CoNTISUED.