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

him.
a. started right of with him and found
the body lying on Its face, and the back
of his head full of shot; and there sat Ned
Mar>ton close by it with his face on his
hands, and his gun close by him. As
soon as he saw me coming, he jumped up
and said, My God! I've murdered him!'
and then fell down and tainted. We car
ried the body to the house, and Miss En-
lily was almost crazy, hut she wouldn't be-
lieve Ned had done it,
did he not attempt to escape 2"
"Oh no; ii nearly killed the poor fel-
low. lie staid by the corpse until it was
buried, and then gave himself up
What was the general opinion res
pecting it?" l asked.
Well" said Timothy, "most people
think il must have been an accident, and
1 think so too; but l can't forget how saw
age Farley looked when Miss Emily said,
don't believe Edgar would do it. How
ever, he's to be tried tomorrow, and then
| suppose it will all come out.
| The village clock now adn.onished me
that the time for retiring had arrived.
After thanking my friendly host, / ad-
journed to a small box, dignifed by the
title of Room No And resolved to
attend the court on the morrow, I re-
signed myself to the embraces of Nor
pheus, and was soon buried in the sweet
forgetfulness of sleep.
The court room was densely crowded
the Judge had taken his seat-and
when l arrived the officer had gone for
lie prisoner. The clock struck ten, and
the accused was conducted TO the bar
there to answer to the laws Of his country
for the murder Of his benefactor, the faith
er of her whom he loved. All eyes were
at once fixed upon his as though to read
his very soul but he bore the scrutiny
with undinching frmness, which none bu
conscious innocence could have support
ed. And almost breathless silence pre-
vailed while the clerk read the accusation
Prisoner at the bar, said the Judge
you are arraigned here on the charge o
wilful and deliberate murder. Remember
that the law does not dictate what answet
you shall give. Are you guilty or no
guilty ?"
Edgar Marston bowed low, and answer
ed in clear and distinct tone;
Not guilty.
Never shall forget his appearance a
that moment. His commanding fgur,
was drawn up to It's utmost height; the ra
ven locks which hung in disordrred mass
IS over lis paid brow, were bru,he
aside, and as he uttered those momentoI
words he would have served as q fttin;
representative Of innocence repelling th
assaults Of malice.
The clerk now called the name c
q James Farley" The person thu
named mounted the witness stand with a
, assumed confidence, which he was "a
from feeling; and while endeavoring I
j., maintain an expression of commi,eratio
. for the accused, he studiously avoide
- meeting bis glance.
O lie was a young man about twenty-tw
r years OF age, faslionably dressed, an
d possessing a countenance on which dis
: patton and vice had left unmisiakab
n traces; during the examination, his eyt
d wandered in quick. uneasy glances ovt
r. the crowded room, as though fearful
}. some expected intruder, yet his answe
1 to the questions of the opposing couns
were clear and apparently truthful. II
e statement was a. follows
T Last Thursday morning, about +,
O'Clock, I went TO the residence of the d
J ceased and invited him to join me in
( hunting excursion among the hills. lie
once accepted the invitation, and takil
ID his gun, we started together. After bea
= ing about the bushes for some time, NJ
"' Somers started a rabbit, which ran dov
Il into the hollow near which / was standin
lie requested me to remain where
was, while lie approached II from the 9th
= side. As he walked round the bill i
sight Of him. Almost at the same
slant ] heard a loud report. and looki
., up, saw the prisoner rushing towards n
with gun in bis hand, As he near
me discovered that be trembled a
was deadly pale.
Save me hide me, he said. I'm
=, murderer
d ] asked him what was the matter.
+ pointed 10 the top Of tie hill and adds
%, Emily. why did | ever know 20