The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-10-16

ed the hope that, upoEthe trial something
would be developed which, if it did not
prove his innocence would ar least pal
late his guilt.
A murmur of pity arose from the
dense crowd that filled the court room as
the prisoner was brought in. Confne-
ment and anxiety had done the work of
years; that pale, haggard face, looked
little like the glad smile and eager glance
Iso familiar to many Of them in other days.
He evidently felt keenly the ignominy of
his position, for his cheek flushed and
his glance wayered beneath the curious
eyes that were fixed upon him. But it
was but for a moment. Raising his eyes
they fell upon the pale countenance of his
betrothed. Had it been possible, very
GLADLY would Susan have taken seat at
his side; sharing his shame and proving
to all the world her conviction of his in
noceAce. As it was she gave him re-
assuring smile, which endued him with
strength and fortitude to pass through
the ordeal before him.
The counsel for the accused left no
stone unturned, no effort untried to de-
stroy the array of evidence that was
brought forward-but as the trial pro-
ceeded, the hopes that some had cherish
led grew fainter and fainter, until num-
Der who took personal interest in the
prisoner, and who supposed be had COM
mitted the deed in the heat of passion,
urged him to confess and throw himself
upon the mercy of the court. But this
the accused, persisting in his innocence,
steadfastly refused to do.
| Besides the dying declaration Of the
murdered man, which was sufficient, in
itself, to convict him, there were other
circumstances, that were strongly against
him. A neighbor had overheard vio-
lent alteration between the prisoner and
the deceased only the day before, in
which the latter had said, "that if he
persisted in his design he should not
marry daughter of his" Another tes-
titled to seeing them walk by his house
together only short time before the
murder was committed. The accused
didnot deny this. According to his own
account, he met the deceased just as he
was coming out of the gate, and they
walked along together until they came
to a cross road, where they separated. the
prisoner taking the one that led to the
village, and the deceased proceeding fur
ther on, for the purpose of looking at
some land he had just purchased. He
stated, also, that is, allusion was made to
the subject they had differed upon; his un-
cle's manner being unusually friendly, SO
much SO as to create strong impression
on his mind that he regretted and was de-
sirous of atoning for his Incorporate Ian
guage the day before.
The defense called up a number Of
witnesses, who bore testimony as to the
character for steadiness and integrity thai
the accused had borne from his youth up,
and the kindness and tenderness of his
heart. His closing plea was master
piece of oratory; be placed every favora-
BILE circumstance before the jury in its
mos. favorable light; concluding with an
appeal to them in behalf of his, unhappy
client, the eloquence and pathos of which
touched the sternest heart among them
The Judge, in summing up the case
destroyed the effect Of this in measure
He warned the jury that while they were
to allow the benefit Of every doubt, thej
were not to forget that mercy to th'
criminal is often cruelty to the commu
nifty; that biassed by neither pity Oh
prejudice, they were to decide the case
according to the evidence placed before
them, leaving to the executive the prerog-
ative Of mercy.
/ The jury returned d from their brief de
Liberation There was a breathless husl
as the clerk put the usual question:
"What say you, Mr.. Foreman? d.
you find the prisoner at the bar guilt.
or not guilty ?"
: "Guilg r
| There was slight hustle at the otbel
end of the room, and then the insensibl'
form of a woman was borne out. ThiI
did not escape the notice of the prisoner
F his eye followed it. to the door, and, al
it disappeared, his feelings found audible
expression in low moan Of smotheret
agony.
The prisoner was then remanded, ant
the people dispersed with saddenet
hearts to their homes.
The night before the day on which h,
was to be sentenced, Richard Blake es
capped, it was suspected, through the con
/ nivance, at least of one of the officers o
the Jail, though nothing could be prove'
against him. A large reward was Offered
, for his Apprehension, and every effor
, made to that end.
Susan Huxton sat in the solitude o
her chamber, her deep mourning attir
rendering still more conspicuous tn
change that had been wrought in th
once joyous and blooming girl. A da
{ and half had elapsed since Richard
escape, and she began to breathe NOR
easily; he had had time to reach the Sc
coast, and must now be beyond the reac
r of danger.
Suddenly she heari murmuring SCUM
] as of many voices. Stepping out upol
the veranda. she looked down the stree
: She saw quite crowd of people fol'oA
:, ing wagon, in which were three men.
A bare-legged boy, running Oh before
e paused in front of the house.
: "Hurrah" he shouted, swinging in tn
$ air his crownlcss hat, ''they've caugi
d him!"
e Caught who?" she inquired.
Richard Blake the murderer"