Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-09

A smile of bitter malignity passed over
the face of the witness, as be continued:
Il went in the direction which he had
indicated. and there found the body, a
has been before stated. bear the prison.
er no i'll will, and am sorry to appear
against him."
Farley then left the stand, and several
others were examined, some of whom.
while they testified to the general good
character Of the accused, stated that there
had been some difficulty between him and
Mr.. Somers, which to their knowledge
had never been adjusted ,hat at the
funers.l Marston had betrayed the great
est agitation, and other symp ptoms Of guilt.
The Judge addressed the jury, inform
ing them that although the evidence was
circumstantial il bore heavily against the
prisoner, and warned them not to lei their
sympathies interfere with the demands OF
justice. They consulted without leaving
the room, and for few moments nothing
broke the deaih-like stiffness which pre-
vailed. At length the foreman stated
that they had agreed upon verdict.
is the prisoner at the bar guilty, or
not guilty.
In an instant every ear was stretched
to catch the sound.
" Guilty r was the response.
The multitude waved TO and fro. as
though under the influence of an electric
shock; a wild heart piercing shrek rent
the air, and Emily Somers was borne
senseless from the courtroom. Women
sobbed, and even men-stern, iron heart
ed men-did no; disdain to drop a few
tears Of pity.
Edgar Marston," said the Judge
again addressing him, have you any
reason to show why sentence should not
be passed upon your
/ There was no faltering hesitation, nc
. unmanly terror in his tones as he an
! swered:
The laws of my country declare me
guilty Of foul and heinous crime, 0,
which my own conscience declares me
innocent. My hand may have done the
deed; if so it was purely accidental, anC
; fate has decided against me; but heal
me while swear that james Farley ha
Ibis day perjured himself before God an,
man. On the morning of this sad occur
renee l was hunting upon this same hill
with my accuser. A rabbit started VI
before me, and | discharged my gun a
him. The report sounded uncommon,
loud, and almost at the same instant
heard loud groan. l FASTENED to th
hill, and there beheld my benefactol
: welteriug il his blood. Ny horror an
: despair knew no bounds. rushed mad
u y towards the foot Of the hill, where
: met James Farley ana implored him I
20 for assistance. l never used the ex
{ pressions of which he accuses me, al
though believe myself the murderer
# l shall soon appear before the great tr
IS bunal above, there to prove my innocenc
n and cOnfound my enemies. I have notl
II ing more to say
. At this moment a noise was heard {
u one of the doors, and an aged man wa
seen making his way toward the witne,
stand. All gave way before him, an
0 John Farley stood be'ore the as;onishe
ID justice. No hat covered his head, an
> his silver locks streamed wildly over b
le brows, while the clenched hands ar
Is gIaring eyes bespoke the fearful tumu
sr that ragged within him.
oi Il come" he said, or rather shoute
r. . | come to clear the innocent and poi
ei out the guilty. Edgar Marston has cor
Is mitted no crime. My son you are, II
murderer"
IN james Farley approached his faith
e with pallid cheeks and trembling lint
a exclaiming;
" d" II is false, it Is false-he is mad ~
: "Of, viper murderer" :" screamed 4
old man fereely; touch me not wi
those hands red with innocent blood !.
| am not mad Listen 10 me- and y,
shall hear father prove his own son
be a peJursd assassin. was close
tire spot where Air. Somers was brutal
murdered, and saw cowardly deed eor
miited. ] saw my ehild-le whom
= have cherished with ali Iafhrr's pride.
fire the fatal shot directly at bis victi
at The same instant that Marrton fired
the top Of the hill Little did he dres
that knew and saw il all. The fseliu
OF a parent prompted me 10 conceal
hr,rtiuff that 1Tar.fon sroftla IL. aeau5t,