Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-09-21
IRAsBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER d 1860

money. Again the same thing happen
ed, and again kept the money that did
! not, Of right belong to me. This was
the beginning Of evil, and here am
Mr.. Carman has shown an eagerness 10
convict and have rue punished, as the
court has seen. If be had shown me
any mercy might have kept silent
But now interpose the truth, ard may
1t incline you to show some consideration
for the unhappiest being alive to-day.
The young man covered his face with
his hands, and sat down, overpowsrsd
4 by bis feelings. His mother, who was
near him, sobbed out aloud, and bending
over, laid her hands on his head saying.
My poor boy My poor boy
There were few eyes in the Court
room undimmed. In the silence that
followed Mr.. Carman spoke cut:
Is my character to be thus blasted
on the word of criminal, yoar honors I?
Is this right Is this just2 Is this the
protection a citizen finds in a Court room3
Your solemn oath that this charge is
untrue, said the judge, viii place you
all right. 1t was the unhappy boys on
lily opportunity, and the Court felt bound,
in humanity, to hear what he wished to
lsay.'
James Lewis stood up again instantly
and turned his white face and dark pierre.
ing eyes upon Mr.. Carman:
> Let him take that oath If he dare
he exclaimed.
The counsel for the prosecution nov
interfered, and called the proceeding Al
outrage on all justice, and unheard o
before in Courtroom. But the judgt
commanded order, and then said to Mr.
i Carmar:
The Court offers you the only wa,
of reparation in its power Your oatl
will scatter the allegation Of a erimina
to the winds. VIII you swear?'
Mr. Carman turned with distresset
q look toward his counsel. while Jane
kept his eyes fixed upon him. Ther
was brief conference, and the lawye
said:
!, The proceeding is irregular, ard
r, have advised my oliant to make no r,
k sponse. At tue same time he protest
? against all this as an outrage upon th
,. rights OF a citizen.
The judge bowed, and Mr.. Carma
IS withdrew. After a brief conferenc
d with his associates, the presiding judg
'f said, addressing the criminals
a In consideration of your youth, an
e the temptation to which, in tender year
you were unhappily subjected, the Cou
is gives you its lightest sentence, one year
= imprisonment. AT the the same time
e, pronouncing this sentence, let me solemn
/ ly warn you against any further steps
1t the way you have taken. Crime ca
n have no valid excuse. II IS evil IN ii
D sight Of God and man & leads only TO 81
r fering. When you come forth again, a
10 ter your brief incarceration, may it /
i with the resolution to die rather tha
I; commit crime
'e And the curtain fell on that sad seer
e. in the boys life. When il lifted agai
% and he came forth from prison a yei
Is sfterward, bis mother was dead. Fro
ol the day her pale face faded from b
vision as he passed the Courtroom,
% never looked upon her again.
Ten years afterward man sat rea
ID ing a newspaper in a far Western loa
e He had calm, serious face, and look
as ike one who had known suffering al
It trial
Brought to justice at last he e
: claimed to himself, as the blood came /
to bis face. Convicted on the char
OF fraudulent insolvency and sent 10 4
= States Prison! 50 much for the mi
: who gave me in tender years the dl
: : lesson in wrong-doing. Too well, ala
did / remember bis words Bot, thar
God, other words have been since !
i, membered. When yoa come FOR
.,a again. said the judge, may it be vi
the resolution to die rather than CONN
a crime and ] have kept tbs injanesi
in my heart when there seemed 40 y
Of escape except through crime AZ
Cd God helping ne. ] will keep i %
end
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