The Portland daily press., 1868-11-21
selected story.
JOHN HENTHORN'S TRIAL

lfou EDSneIeI 0rduL, commercial tfaNeHeI,
and he was charged on the second count with
having the above mentioned articles in his
possession, knowing them to have been stoien.
tie was only lad-just eighteen; he had no
friends in the great city, which seemed 10 MIN
so hard hearted, at that moment, 10 De con-
til uing its business with the same eager roar
as ever, while he stood on his trial. lie had
no friends? Yes, he hal dear little friend
his little sister, Lucy. She was standing
by, listening 10 the person who read over
these charges in hard, dry, matter of-fact
style. and then asked her brother-yes, though
she could hardly believe it, it was her own
brother John, who stood there in the dock,
between two policemen-asked her brother |
whether he was guilty or not guilty.
She listened eagerly for Johns reply. She
saw his mouth open and make an Intellectual
effort to form the word; at length with
great gaspit csme-"Not guilty.
Little Lucy breathed more freely. Her III
tie finger was laid upon ner lips; her thn
face was paler than ever, but her eyes were
bright and anxious-llo, not SO much ANXIOUS
as watchful aud eager She knew noW-tor
she had heard her brother speak-that John
was innocent: and though the knew-tor she
was nearly tamished-how sorey John might |
have been tempted by necessity, yet Johns |
word was passed, and John was innocent.
John was innocent; but John must be prov |
ed Innocent She knew that the gentlemen |
er lawyers, who could prove that her John
had stolen nothing; so she slipped down from
the crowd amongst which she was stanGilg,
and being so small, she passed unobserved to
the corner of the lawyers seats. She watch
ed all their faces for long time. Some of
them were busily engaged turning over great
masses of paper and parchment; others were
sitting mo idly with their hands pressed upon
their ioreheads, briefess barrsters, who were
meditating on the inequalities OF the world,
and how it was that densely stupid Frum-
bletrump has his hands full OF cases." and they
who could beat his head off at billiards, or
any other genllemanly employment" wert
lett brIefeSS. Amongst these unhappy and
involuntarily idle barristers, was one who had
for fourteen years trequented the courts,
and never met with that treasure-a brief.
He had no connection-no one to give him
start. His little fortune was ebbng slowly
away. lie had managed to pick up few
pounds in variety of ways lie had some
times communicated the first intelligence of
an appalling accident, which he had been for
tunate enough to witness, to some of the daily
papers, and had received a few shillines for
his trouble. But bit by bit his little capital
the careful, hard-earned savings of loving
father the vicar OF little country living
dwindled away. He was thinking, with his
head between his Misunderstanding bitterly of
his Improbable life; he contrasted his own
PooiliOu VI COiupuiSOIy lultueSS ana unaVOId-
able gentility, with the industrious and CRATE
ful toll OF the day-laborer He pictured
the rou3h-handed man returning from his
work-tired, but not eXhausted-the mer-
ry faces and the hearty greeting-the crow
ing children, and the radiant-faced wife, He
then though. oil himself, Edmund Carew, re-
turning to his lonely chambers with pale face
and detected spirits; and was about to curse
the day OF his birth, when light finger was
laid upon his elbow, and face paler and sad
der than his own looked up at him.
off?D ~ WV ''N'' ''' my 'ro'her
"Who is your brother, little woman ?"
Little Lucy pointed to the dock.
Now, b. some means Edmund Carew's
ears had heard the charges against the lad in
the dock, and his memory had retained the |
outline oil the case, though his mind had been
occupied with bemoaning his own unhappy
lot. He looked up at the lad and saw line
manufacturing young fellow confronting the
whole court. In an instant a lesson was
taught TO the lawyer. Here was youth, |
iriendless in great city, and yet boldly keep, |
Ing good heart in the presence of a most |
crushing and cruel trial. The sight lent fresh |
courage to the briefess barristers heart.
The Judge spoke. Have you any coun- |
SELF" ' ''"n
mo, my lord" said John.
Then, Mr.. Fumbefrumb. | think.
"Parcon me, my lord" said Edmund, ris- |
ing; the prisoner was not aware, but L am |
instructed by his friends to undertake his de- |
fence.o
His friends! John looked round in amaze !
ment. His friends! yes, the barrister had said /
his friends; but he could not understand it
for he could not see his little Lucy STANDING
by the barrsters side.
The case then commenced. The counsel |
for the prosecution called his witnesses. The
claimant OF the articles, the waiter, the boots,
and barmaid at the inn, were all called TO
prove tLat John Henthoin must have been
thief. 1t appeared that John had been In the
habit of trequenring the Blue Boar in the |
hope OF meeting with some employment, as |
the "Blue Boar was rendezvous tor per-
sons seeking tutors, travellers, agents, &c.
The claimant OF the goods was described as |
commercial traveller; he had met the pris-
oner at the inn, and had had some converse
ton with him. He deposed to having lost
his watch and other articles; he gave the
number OF the notes, and identified the
watch and jewelry
The boots, barmaid and waiter were called
to prove that the first witness had a watch
when he arrived at the blue Boar The
waiter noticed it ''perticler," as the clock in
the commercial-room had stopped, and he
had asked the gentleman to be so good as
to give him the "Aexack" time.
The barmaid proved that the commercial
|
time together at the bar; that the CONNER
cial gentleman had taken few glasses of
spirits, and had gone straight to bed after
John Hentborn had left the inn.
sde" '-'''N''A''
mo, sir, not that; but he was careless-like
In ms manner when he bade the prisoner
good night"
When did the gentleman first mention his
loss?" --'A'''n n''
when he come down the next morning.
Police constable 113 q was called to prove
that the watch and other articles were fonnd
oY MN at the prisoners lodgings, No. 1877.
Little Zebedee Street
While these witnesses were being examn-
cd, an OLD gentleman had made his wav into
court he now sat beside Edmund Carew.
he wore large pair OF gold spectaces, from
beneath which there beamed pair of beney-
olent looking eyes. He never looked about
him, but kept his eyes fixed on the witnesses.
as one by one they filed into the box.
Edmund Carew cross-examined the wit |
mes les for the prosecution. His interest was |
reused be was working for another: his own
troubles were forgotten; others beside him
sell were irienCless; it was new joy to him
10 ma some one whom he cross-examined |
with keenness and vigor, and the parchment
laced attorneys nodded now and then at one
another
Nj. IucHeZer GRANT lost his nODclalant |
manner and his tone of supercilious indffer-
ence, as the young barrister pressed home n |
rev pointed questions. The barmaid ceased |
10 be coquettlsh, and the waiter to be nosi.
tive. ~ NC posf-
Finally, the barrister declared his intention
OF calling witnesses for the defence. and he
gan by calling upon Mr.. Blenkinsopp.
When Mr. Blenkinsopp entered the box.
poor John Henthorn gave way altogether: he
leaned forward, buried his face in his hands. !
and sobbed; and Mr.. Blenkmsopp's voice
trembled little as he described himself as
the senior partner in the firm of Blenkinsopp.
russell, and Fudge, attorneys. He identified
tne Watcn, and notes, and other articles as
MS own. He deposed to having giyen-4hem
into the charge OF the prisoner on the after
noon oil the day on which the robbery was al
legged to have been committed.
Would he tell The court the circumstances
under which he had entrusted these article,
to the prisoner?
Yes he was summoned on the dav ba
spoke OF to attend large and important
meeting in the city, He LETT his Office about
noon o m and on his way to the place Of meeting
i,' s turned INTO the blue Boar" to get some
,onUn. ne met the prisoner in the common
~ ora ~ ~ Si anto conversation with him. While
uro.oh ~ udissso 10y: that he had brought his
matSh, anu ms notes OF value. and some tow
trinKetS Win MN; he had done ca mint, |
uoDally, as he made it an invar,abIo -
leave all articles OF value behind HI uI "
he attended nuhIio n,aatinoe. hiih Wuen