The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-05-07


with Charles unfortunate father, and
for Charlie himself had always had so
much friendly interest that he regarded
his position, now that he was to see
him tried for his life as peculiarly pain
full, but not the less from all these con-
alterations was he resolved to judge the
case with the striotest justice, and no
moro mercy than he would have shswn
to the most wretched outcast. So that
his face was very set aud stern when he
took his place that morning in the
judges chair: The prosecuting attor-
ney was sharp, shrewd man, resolved
to make tho best Of very pretty case,
without fear or favor for any one. As
for tho prisoners two counsel, Mr.. |
Putnam and MI. Gray, they both looked |
very grave, as both fully aware Of the
almost utter hopelessness of their eli
ent's case. --..a>--i
Poor Charlie who can ever guess
what he suffered during that long, |
bright September day? He was very
pale when they brought him in court, |
but his face had noble look Of calm
resignation, and In his eyes there was
the steady light Of high resolve In
answer to the judges formal question
as to whether he was guilty or not
guilty, his unhesitating reply Of "Not
guilty" was pronounced in so clear and
confident tone that it seemed to all
those present who believed in his inno-
cence, that the very accent of those
words ought to carry conviction of
his truth. Mr.. Wentworth sat beside
his son with an expression Of hopeless
suffering on his worn face that was per-
haps harder for Charlie to bear than
anything else. Yet the whole thing
must have been inexpressibly trying to
his high spirit to sit there exposed to
the gaze Of all those rude eyes under
the terrible accusation Of murder, and
with the evidence Of his apparent Grim
inality every moment growing stronger
and more convincing; ;1.4..
For the case against him was over.
whelming. Once more as before tho
grandjury, his long dislike to Anthony,
his threats against him, aud their last
quarrel were proven, then came the
Identification Of the cane, the finding
Of the body and the proofs of the
wounds on the prisoners hands when
he was arrested. In opposition to all
this Charles counsel could, bring ab-
solutely no evidence but that of char
aeter; they had several witnesses of
the best standing to testify to b. high
and noble qualities and their owl. on
vlction Of his innocence, but VIII. = Id
that avail against the terrible array, z
testimony against him.
The case was not entirely closed that
day, and after many long hours Of tor
ture Charlie was remanded to prison.
1t had been worse even than he had
thought it would be, the being brought
In and out Of court by the sheriff like
afelon, and the horrible iguomy Of his
position, the WEAKNESS of tho slow
questions and cross-qucstions, all of
which seemed only to prove his guilt
still more plainly, and the almost intol-
cradle pain Of seeing his fathers an
guish: t needed all his faithful con-
fidence in the goodness and Justice of
God, and the heroism of his, devotion
TO Flora to sustain him through that
long solitary evening, and enable him
to meet the next days ordeal With any
fortltude. 49,
1t was evident to all when he came
in court the next morning that suffer-
ing was telling fast upon him, for he
looked haggard, almost despairing, and
yet still not even now when the newt
able end was coming SO fast would he
save himself by breaking his word and
betraying the trust that Flora had re-
posed in him. &s>:>..<.:1@s
The evidence on both sides was
closed, and the prosecuting attorney
made short, brilliant but convincing
speech to prove the prisoners guilt,
this was almost more than Charlie could
bear, to hear himself deliberately de-
nounced ~ . murderer, his motives
given, his violent passion painted, his
conduct misrepresented, and his name
covered with eternal infamy. More
snan once "nen some expression was
used that was peculiarly insulting his
father saw him clutch the side of his
dock With : hand that grew white with
the violence Of the clutch, willie his
lips moved as if he must speak. then
his fathers heart for = moment liehten-
I'd with the hope that even now he
might vindicate himself, but 1t all died
away a. be dropped back in his seat
with his face set in look of rigid do.
termination.
After this Mr.. Putnam rose to sav
what he could in the prisoners defence.
Il vas little enough, but the old gen.
tleman was doing bis best, when there
Was little hustle near him. and a
messenger approached and handed him
snote. He was annoyed at the inter-
ruption, and passed it over to Mi. GRAY.
the junior cousel tore It open, and 10, /: read e