The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-28

and satisfied himself that what had told him
was true. The public prosecutor had left
the court, but my uncle sent one of the ushers
to him with slip of paper, on which he had
written few words. He came in immedi-
ately; and after exchanging few words. he
again left the court, and nv uncle returned
to his seat. The agitation exhibited bv the
latter, and the excitement of the former as he
left the court, could not fail to be observed
by the audience, who evidently perceived that
something fresh had been discovered. The
judge resumed his seat on the bench, and the
jury we're recalled to their box, when the fol-
lowing scene took place:
Judge-Gentlemen Of the jury, you have
been recalled to hear some additional evi-
dence against the prisoner. IThen, looking
towards the prisoner, he continued:l Fris-
oner, you say that your servant came to the
side of the carriage and fired at you with this
pistol
frlSoner-les, sir.
Judge-That he then tried to strike YOU with
the butt end?
Prisoner-Yes, sir.
Judge-That you caught him by the wrist.
and held him in that position while YOU drew
this smaller one with which you shot him.
Prisoner-Yes, sir.
Judge-Gentlemen of the jury. you have
heard what the prisoner says. If his state
ment were true, you will perceive that the
larger bullet should Lave been found in the
body of his wife, and the lesser in the body
of his servant. The public prosecutor will
place the weapons and bullets in your hands,
and you will be able to see for yourselves that
the bullet extracted from the body of the
male deceased will not enter the smaller pis-
tol; consequently, the prisoner has stated
that which cannot by any possibility be true.
The confidence of the prisoner on hearing
this entirely deserted him, and he sank down
on the floor as though he were mere heap
of clothes. A chair was brought, into which
he was lifted and as soon as he had recov-
cred his senses a little, the medical men were
recalled and sworn anew, and gave evidence
in confirmation of what had been stated by
the Judge. The jury again retired, but the
impression seemed general that they must
fird the prisoner guilty. Their deliberation
was very short. and merely turned on the
question whether they should admit extenu-
ating circumstances. which. after few min.
utes' consultation, they decided in the mega.
tive. They then returned to the box, and
delivered their verdict of guilty and the
Judge passed sentence accordingly. At thi.
very instant, can imagine see the convict,
face on the paper on which | am writing a:
he looked round the court at the audience
Nothing but Implying looks met his in what
ever direction he turned his head. LaGie:
who must have often listened to his aatterie.
with pleasure. for he had reputation fol
gallantry. now regarded him scornfully. Hat
he killed his wife from jealousy, they woult
have had certain sympathy and admiration
for him; but now that they saw in him onl,
the murderer who had destroyed his wife fo
SO vulgar motive as mouey, they despiset
him. aud showed it, Suddenly the prisone
sprang upon the ledge placed there for tn
convenience Of prisoners who had papers t.
consult. or who wished to take notes, whicl
ran along front of the dock in which he va
standing. and with shrill cry, plunged hsa,
downwards on the stone floor. The crasl
was sickening, and the screams of the womer
heightened the painfulness of the scene. Tn,
convict was senseless when picked up, ant
remained so for many hours, but he had onl,
inflicted torture on himself unnecessarily, 70
he recovered, and underwent his sentence il
the manner prescribed by the Judge.