The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-01-09
WHOLE No. 3I9,

Emily Somers was borne senseless from the
court room. Women sobbed and even
men did not disdain to drop a few honest
tears of pity. san &c 70
Edgar Marston," said the Judge again
addressing him, " have you any reason to
show why the sentence should not be pro-
nounced on you ?''
There was no faltering hesitation, no I'M
manly terror in his tone, as he answered:
' The laws of my country declare me
guilty of foul and henious crime, of which
my own conscience declares me innocent.
My hand may have done the deed il so.
purely accidental, and fate has decided
against me; but hear me while swear that
James Farley has this day periured himself
before God and man
"'On the morning of the occurrence,
was hunting upon the same hill with nv
accuser. A rabbit started up before me,
and I discharged my gun at him. The re-
port sounded uncommonly loud, and almost
at the same instant heard loud groan.
fastened to the top of the hill, and there
beheld my friend, my benefactor, weltering
in his blood. My horror and despair knew
no bounds. l rushed madly towards the
foot of the hill, where l met James Farley.
and implored him to go for assistance. /
never used the expression of which he ac-
cused me, although believed myself the
murderer. I shall soon appear before the
great tribunal above, there to prove my in
nocence and confound my enemies, have
nothing more to say" i#.L
At this moment a noise was heard at one
of the doors and an aged man was seen
making his way toward the witness stand.
All gave way before him, and John Farley
stood before the astonished justice. No hat
covered his head, and his silver locks
streamed wildly over his brow, while the
clenched hands and glazing eyes bespoke
the great and fearful tumult that ragged
within him.
'I come" he said, or rather shouted,
" come to clear the innocent and to
point out the guilty. Edgar Marston has
committed no crime. Ny son is the MUIR
derer.'' ~. -f
James Farley. approaching his father.
with pallid cheeks and trembling limbs, ex-
claimed 19l
g Believe him not he is mad man; how
should he know ?" 1as
g Off. viper murderer - screamed the
old man fiercely ''touch me not with those
hands, red with innocent blood am not
mad. Listen to me, and you will hear
father prove his own son periured assas-
sin. l was close to the spot where Mr..
Somers was brutally murdered and saw the
cowardly deed committed .re.-srq
I saw my child, be whom I cherished
with all fathers pride, l saw him fire the
fatal shot directly at his victim, at the same
instant that Mr.. Marston fred at the top of
the hill. .g = cd
Little did he dream that I knew and saw
it all the feelings of parent prompted me
to conceal it, hoping Marston would be ac
quilted for want of evidence. But when I
heard that my son was tie accuser, con-
science could no longer be restrained and
my brain seemed on fre-visions of the gall
lows and its struggling victim haunted me
even in sleep, while the blood of the inno-.
cent called for vengeance !"
Here he staggered forward, and fell sense,
| less on the floor. 1iA Gtt'
Loud rose the voice of the multitude,
mingled with the cry of death to the per-
! jurer % as they rushed forward to liberate
the astonished Edgar. James FARLEY rush
ed toward him, and drawing pistol from
his breast fired it, exelaiming:
g Think not to escape me thus, Edgar
Marston-die % a n.
Fortunately his arm was struck up by
an officer, and the ball, passing up, pierced
the ceiling. E'"
The baff1ed villain looked sullenly around,
as though seeking some means of escape.
Two constables stepped forward to seize
him, when he suddenly drew another pistol,
and placing it to his own breast-fred.
With a howl ofagony and despair, he sprang
high in the air, and fell disfgured corpse,
at the side of his suffering parent. Edgar
Marston stepped forth from the halls Of
Justice free man. He bad undergone a
fearful ordeal, and came forth without a
blemish. a3o
Years have rolled on, and Emily Somers
is now Mrs Marston. Edgar has become &
Judge in the court which witnessed the mos
trying scene of his life and although time
has placed its indeIlble signet on his fore
head, and threads of silver are thickly
strewn among her auburn locks, they never
cease to thank heaven for their good fortune.
and bless the memory of the unexpected
evidence.
; TERRIBLE STORM on THE PLAINs-CAT-
r TIE FRozEE.-The foreman of this Office