The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-03-21
THE GARNET RING.


visit the court rooms, where / not only
became familiar with the usages, arts and
means Of success employed by skillful
lawyers, but where l could see human ma
ture in its perplexities and struggles, its
feebleness and power, exciting in me an
interest and sympathy that the drama has
never equalled.
One freezing morning during the month
OF December, my office having been wholly
innocent, for the season, Of all Arti6cial
warmth. or means of warmth, was too
cold and cherries to be endured eny
longer. 1t was enough to quench the
light of hope and fire of courage in the
most hot headed and enthusiastic young
man, so l determined to leave it for q
while. l took down from its hook my
old overcoat, the ever ready and unfinch
ing friend of two or three winters, Hhich,
regardless of dignity as an outsideH had
never shrunk from the duties Of fIpck-
coat, dressng-gown, sick gown, and bod
clothes. But, alas on this fireles4 cold
morning, when it would hare bern 50
gratsful@ - my poor heart 1nd $4or2,
purse to have found it transformer into
the thickest beavers, fur-lined and fur
trimmed, invincible to the fiercest north
wester, it looked to me, spite my old
attachment to it, and my gratitude for its
services, it looked quite used up, brown
and rusty, thin and threadbare; its collar
sadly soiled, its button-h holes rent, its but
tons lonesome, no two standing together.
And worse the only friendly garment was
to my gloomy and suspicious eyes-a
! traitor. Would it not tell to every one
who should see it the secrets most wish
ed to hide ?-those which might bring my
/ final ruin? Would it not tell that was
/ poor and unsuccessful, that had no bust
ness and no immediate prospects of any?
that had no requirements and abilities
which the world needed; not enough even
to enable me to take care OF myself The
once good friend seemed anything but
friend now, and 1t must not go with me
this morning. But then, if it stayed at
home, its absence would tell my tale the
same its presence. | was in despair.
/ What could | do? What was there for
me but poverty, neglect and mertification
l hurried away to the police court room
where turbulent and uncomfortable dis
tress makes US forget the suffering that
can De hidden; where the hopeless aad
frantic agony OF crime makes US feel for
tunate in our innocence, however else un
fortunate.
As entered, girl was put on trial for
larceny; common case, as that stated :;
yet | saw something in my first glance at
her, that made me forget lack of clients
cherries office and telltale oYercoats
She was about eighteen fair and fresh
/ looking; with soft, light hair brushed
neatly over her ears; large blue eyes, the
lids very much swollen by crying and
small unmarked features. She WAS clad
in dark blue merino dress, and a plain
white collar. l cannot clearly explain
what it was in her that interested me
The inner life has an expression outward
that Is more easily recognized than de-
scribed, aud it was probably this. felt
that there was undoubtedly something
wrong IN the case; that decent looking
young person, so neat and proper in dress,
without any tawdriness or ornament, did
not belong in a prisoners dock ought
not TO be there.
| watched her and watched the trial
The clerk read the inaictpents The .yixl
stood up and heard herself, Selma " bite,
charged with stealing q shawl and dress,
the property of one Mary Wilson Tie
tears rolling in streams down her cheeks,
and her Voice scarcely audible from emo
ton, she plead " not guilty"
The first witness was the policeman who
arrested her. His testimony amounted to
nothing more than that he had found the
clothes alleged TO have been stolen in a
carpet-bag marked with the prisoner 9
name, and claimed 10y her. The prisoner
ceased weeping when the witness was
called, and kept her eyes fixed steadily
upon him. She was told by the Judge
whose sympathy she had evidently enlis.
ed, that 1t was proper for her TO ask any
questions bearing on the case, and now
, perceived that she had no one TO defend
her, or give her special advice or aid She
availed herself o. the privilege with which
, the judge had made her acquainted, and
; endeayored to draw from the officer the
admission that she had shown more sur
prise when the stolen articles were found
IN her carpet-bag than any one present
but in this she failed. He was altosethel
uncommunicative and evasive in hrs ans
wers to her.
One Mary Wilson testified to the los.
ofsome clothes which she described, some
garments were showa her, which she idea
tilted In answer to questions, she stated
that they had been lying in trunk tha
she had not laid eyes on them for thres
months, or more, till she found them il
the prisoners carpet-bag, and that on.
Mary Murray bad suggested her looking
there for them.
Mary Murray was now called. She wa
very bold girl, snowy in dress and airy
in manners. Her fingers were loaded with
cheap rings, the most conspicuous o
which was a large garnet. While the
stolen garments were being shown, hae
observed young man crowd as far for
ward as he could get to look at them
y, My eyes happened to be on him when b,
first caught sight Of the witness rings
and the expression which then coyeret
his face excited my interest scarcely les
than that of the prisoner had done
approached him and inquired, Do yol
know anything of this case p
Not much, he answered, colorin;
= deeply.
{" Do you know anything p
"Well-yes-some things" he answered
). IF it is anything that can be brough
$ to bear in favor of the prisoner, tell m
5. forthwith l said, "for she is an innocep
}" 60 hard with her.
e. "Shc never stole then, things" he sale
"They were found in her possession
That is strong legal proof, and / am afrai
that it will decide the case against her"
:. Are you lawyer p he asked
he / answered that was
nd Are you her lawyer?
a. a am going to offer to defend her;
Of yeu can tell me anything, warn you tn:
Is- there is not a moment to lose"
al Well, then, some of the same fuzz an
,rt trimmings that's on the stolen clothes
on this girl on the stand"
~ is that so? Are you sure p
: "Sure as can be-
well, that's something. or may be.
I "Then know that big ring on her for
|. finger as we'll as l know my hand.
y DO your
)s "Fd swear to it."
"Well, we'll give you chance t
"a What is your name p
,e Miles a Allep