Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-11-19
never do to let them see tina. | was the

least uneasy.
soon found out. however, that bed. un,
der the circumstances, was a mistake. an,
determined to get up, and calm nv nerve
in the fresh morning air.
dressed hurriedly, with MANY Iool
over my shoulder, keeping as much as DOS
sible to one corner Of the room, where no.
body could get behind me. The grass il
front of my window was glistening viii
the heavy morning dew, on which no foo
could press without leaving a visible trace
| searched the whole garden thoroughly
but no sign cruld see of any person hay
ing been there.
rendering over the events of the night
which, in spite of broad daylight and com
mon sense, PERSISTED in assuming a some
what supernatural aspect, wandered
across the meadows toward the river, bv .
iootpath which led to the ferry. As Idrew
near to tho boatman's cottage + saw hin
standing at bis door, looking up the path
by which l was approaching. As soon as
he saw me. he turned and walked down tc
his boat, where he waited my arrival.
"Yeu are early on foot my friend, this
morning" said |. as Joined him.
Early. SIR" answered he, in some
what grumbliGg tone: ives, il is early, sir,
and have been waiting here for you this
two hours or more"
Waiting for me. my frieud-how 90 ~
Yes sir, have; for they seemed 80
very anxious that you should not be kent
waiting; they have been down from the
farm twice this blessed night, telling me
that you would want to cross the ferry very
| early this mcrning."
l answered the man not a word and
getting into his boat, quickly put across the
water. As l walked rapidly no toward
the town, endeavored to persuade myself
that somebody was epdeavoring TO piny a
silly hoax upon me. At last, stopping at
gate through which had to pass. de-
termined upon proceeding no father. As Il
turned to trace my steps, suddenly the same
shivering sensation passed over mel can
only describe it as a cold damp blast of air
meeting me in the face, and then stealing
round and behind me, enveloping me in
its icy folds.
distinctly heard the words "George,
George" uttered in my very ear, in
somewhat plaintive and entreating tone.
shuddered with craven fear, and
turning hastily round hurried on toward
the town.
A few minutes walking brought me in
to the market place 1t was evidently
market day, for in spite of the early hour
there was already considerable hustle go
ing on. Shops were being opened. and
the country people were exposing their but
ter, poultry and eggs. for sale, and for
about two hours / wandered amongst the
busy and constantly increasing crowd.
listening to every scrap of conversation that
reached my ear, and vainly endeavoring to
connect them with the strange summons
that had reused me from my bed, and LED
nOienS UOiens to the town.
could hear nothing that interested me
in any way, and feeling tired and hungry.
decided on b-eakfastiug ut that hetel
which overlooked the market-ulace. and
then taking myself back to the cottage in
spite of the mysterious voice.
The cheerful and noisy hustle of the
market had indeed partly dissipated the
mQrbid turn which nv fancies had taken.
After l had breakfasted lit my cigar,
and strolled into the bar, where I talked
for ten minutes with the land lord without
Calculating anything of greater moment
then that it was his (the landlord's) opin-
ion that things were bad-very that
Squire Thornbury was going to give a great
ball on the occasion of his daughters an
preaching marriage; and that Mr.. Wes>
toms OK was certain to carry off the prize
at the next Agricultural Meeting.
babe him good morning and turned nv
steps homeward | was checked on INV
way down the high street by considera-
bic crowd and -upon inquiring what was
the matter, was informed that the Assizes
were being held, and that an Interesting"
murder case going on. NV curiosity was
aroused, and turned into the court house.
and, meeting an acquaintance, who FORUM
ateiy happened to be man in authority,
was introduced into the court, and accom-
modated with q scat.
The prisoner at the bar, who was ac-
cused of robbing aud numbering Door
country girl, was man of low, slight stat
ure, with course brutal cast of features.
rendered peculiarly striking by their
stragely sinister expression.
As his small bright eyes wandered fur
lively around the court they met mine and
for an instant rested upon me. I sbraDk
involuntarily from bis gaze, as would
from that Of some lcathsome reptile. and
kept my eyes steadily averted from him
till the end-sf the trial, which had been
nearly concluded the previous evening
The evidence as summed up by the Judge.
was principally circumstantial, though an
parently overwhelming in it's nature. In
suite of bis counsel's really excellent de-
fence the jury, unhesitatingly found him
guilty
The judge before passing sentence asked
the prisoner, as usual, if he had anything
further to urge why sentence of death sho'd
not be passed upon him.
The unfortunate man in an eager excited
manner, emphatically denied his guilt
declared tina: be was an honest, hardwork-
ing, travelling glsEier-that he was at Bris
tul. many miles from the scene Of the muir
der on the day of its commission-andth that
he knew no more about it than a babe un-
born. When asked why he had not broun ht
forward this line of defence during .he trial
he declared that he had wished il, but that
the gentleman who bad conducted his de-
fence had refused TO do 80.
His counsel, in few words of explana-
ton, stated although that he had every
reason to believe the story told bv the pris.
oner, he had forced to coufine his epdeay,
ors in his behalf in breaking down the cir.
cumstantial evidence for the prosecution
that most minute and searching INQUIRIES
had been made at Bristol, but that the short
time the prisoner had passed in that town
(some three or four hours,) had from the
heightened period which had elapsed since
the murder. he had been unable to find wit
nesses who could satisfactorily have proved
az abb, and had therefore been forced to
rely upon the weakness of evidence pro-
duced by the prosecution. Sentence of
death was passed upon the prisoner, who
was removed from the bar loudly and per,
sistently declaring bis innocence.
/ left the court painfully impressed with
the conviction that he was innocent. The
passionate earnestnsss with which he had
pleaded his own cause; the fearless. and
naughty expression that crossed his illom>
ened features, when finding bis assertions
entirely va.ueless, he exclaimed with an
imprecation, well, then, do your worst
but | am innocent. | never saw the poor