Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-10-22
A SCENE IN JURY ROOM.
A Thrilling Story.

| once had the extreme fecility Of leaving
my business to serve upon "the Jury" /
plead in all manner of ways for release,
but to no effect. | could not swear that
was deaf, nor blind, nor yet non cOmpis,
but did say that ] had already formed an
opinion. They asked me if my opinion
would prevent me from receiving the testi-
tnony in good faith and rendering q verdict
according to it. l replied that of course |
should weigh the evidence carefully, and be
governed by it. l was then informed that
| would d."
The case to be tried was enc OF arson
then capital ofense-and the prisoner at
the bar was young man named Charles
AmbOld, whom had known from bOYhOod,
and who was naturally one Of the finest
youths of the town where he resided. He
had widowed mother, who depended upon
him for support, and his circle of friends
was large and choice. | was morally GER
tain that he did not commit the crime, and
hence / am sure. those who were friendly
to him got me on the panel, and had me
retained.
The trial commenced, and we twelve
men took our seats in the curry box. had
a very respectab BILE set with De-oDly there
was one man whom l did't like to see there
This man was MouIton Warren. He was
dark-faced, sinister looking fellow--at
least to me. I knew that young Ambold
had one fault. He had been recently ad-
dicted to drink, and had been known to
visit Gisreputable houses. 1t was one of
those houses that had been burned, for
setting fire to which he had been appre-
| hended.
Now l had often tried to putsuade
Charles Ambold from the course he was
persuing. He had repeatedly promised
me that he would reform, and as repeated
" had he broken away, l had often talked
to him Of his poor mother until he had wept
like child; but the effect was not lasting.
There was power oftemptation moreefec
tive than any iufiue nee / could WELD
He would fall away into this evil compan-
ionship, and for while his manhood was
gone. One or two abandoned women had
gained great power over him, and upon
them he wasted much of his substance.
And knew that this very man who was
now upon the jury-this Moulton Warren
was the one who had done more than all
others to lead the poor youth away. II
was Warren who had led him away to
those abominable haunts of sin and pollu-
ton. Why was he upon the jury? could
only account for it upon the ground that
Charley still supposed him to be his friend
The poor scorched insect was still Ignorant
of the fame that scortched him. He real
ly believed that Moulton Warren was bis
friend.
The trial commenced. The indictment
set forth that Charles Ambold had, with
malice aforethought," and with all sorts oil
wicked and felonious intents, set fire to q
certain dwelling house, thereby endanger-
ing human life" This dwelling, as
| have already intimated, was low sink Of
iniauity where the abandoned of both sex
es were wont to co0gregate, end where the
youthful prisoner had spent much of hi:
time.
The evidence for the prosecution came
on and was startled. One after another
gave in their testimony, some of them very
reluctantly, and was frightened when
saw how plainly it all pointed out to the
prisoner as to the guilty party. Severa
credible witnesses swOre that they hac
heard him threaten to burn the house
down; and others had beard him. say re-
peatedly that he wished it was burned
down ! Then came several witnesses
three of the prominent citiEens-whO saw
him lurking about the premises on the
night Of the fire.
With regard to the provocation on the
prisoners part, it was proved upon his OWE
admission, that he bad been ill-treated
there and that he had sworn to have re-
venge. And furthermore, it was proved
I that he bad been heard to say that his sal
walton of soul and body depended upon the
destruction Of that house. Next came ties
timony stronger still.
The fire had been set in back basement
room where shavings aud other stuff fol
kindling were kept. Entrance had been
gained through back window, which had