Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-12-10

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moment. then looking up he said res
olutely:
81 can't answer your question,
mother; God must Judge between him
and me- Then changing the subject,
"Can you get me a lawyer, motheF?"
| "Of course can and win. "
/ So after little more talk I left Ja-
mie and sought the Office of Squire
| Carnan.s A good man the squire " as,
| and an honest lawyer. When be dis
covered who l was, and my business,
he told me blnntly that he did not wish
to undertake the case. e'li his 81.
"And are you afraid that IN not
pay you2" / asked Indeed. sir, if it
costs years of labor. you shall receive
every cent that you charge"
He smiled sadly. 3 4
s'Ne madam, .fia not the money 2 he
Isaid; "but / do not like to feel that the
saving of anybody's life depends on
my efforts. -
"Lifer' | replied. "would they
hang jamie"
"If found guilty, in all probability
they will," he replied
scarcely knew what I said, but l
begged and implored Mr.. Carnan to
save the poor boy. At last he consent
ed to visit him; ''and ifI am convinced
of his innocence" he added, 81 will
endeavor to obtain his aequittal"
So the Squire went to the jail { as l
was told afterwards, and saw my son
alone in his cell.
/ James," said he, kindly, 81 W ant
to know the truth in this case. My po-
lsition as lawyer, and the rules of the
court, render whatever you may tell
me now sacred secret BY acknowl-
edging your guilt-if you are guilty
| shall be able to shape my defense so
as to obtain the lightest possible pun
ishment." ~
Then Jamie stood up boldly in his
cell, and raising his right hand toward
Heaven, he said:
"Mr. Carnan, they may hang me f
they want to; butt am entirely innocent
ofthis charge, and am wiling to die
with those words on my lips"
The lawyer looked steadily in Jamie's
eyes for moment, and he must have
seen truth, written there, for he took
his hand and said:
81 believe you, Riley, and l will de-
fend you. Now tell me where you
were last Sunday mght?"
"Well," answered Jamie. 81 spent
the evening at a friends house in the
northern part of the village. l return
ed homo between eleven and twelve
o'clock" ..t E
"And passed the Presbyterian church
on your way?"
II did," replied Jamie. 80
"Did you see any one in that vicini-
ty"
"Yes sir"
"Who?"
II cannot answer that question, Mr..
Carnan." .E ..e'.F .1rp u
Then the lawyer sat, and thought
for little while, and without another
word, he left the cell and went straight
to his Office; nor did jamie see him
again until the day of the trial
But he was not idle in the meantime
and when called on him once he told
me to be of good cheer, that he be-
lieved my son to be innocent, and hop
ed to clear him. "
Maggie Bryan grew paler and paler
day by day, aud it was little sleep that
she got at nights. When the thought
less villagers talked of Jamie's guilt,
her cheeks turned red and her eyes
flashed bright as the stars in Heav
en-.
The trial came offin two weeks-sad,
long weeks they were to me; but
prayed for strength, and think the
good Lord heard my prayers, and He
gave me the power TO bear my cross.
A great crowd there was in the
courtroom when the day came.
Jamie was led in by the constable,
and took his seat in the prisoners box,
as calm and collected as though he had
been sitting by the freside at home.
Mr.. Carnan was seated near Jamie,
and his fine face looked very serious,
while he showed by all his actions that
he was deeply interested in the case.
Maggie and | had seat together,
but we scarcely spoke word during
the preparation for the trial We
thought it would occupy the whole
day, but it came to an unexpected ter
mination.
Joseph Milward was the first witness
called. He told the same story that
he had at Jamie's former examina-
ton. e.I aF t5H.
l remember the scene well.
80 The District Attorney had asked the
questions, and having finished he
said: "''
''That will do, sir. '7aH
Milward was about to leave the wit
ness stand, when Mr.. Carnan spoke
up: , a
eve viii cross examine the wit
ness"
Oh, what cross examination that
was. And what an excitement there
was in court.
The old Judge dropped his specta-
cles, the District Attorney looked blank,
the jury scratched their heads, and
the vast crowd kept still as mice, that
they might hear every word.
Mr.. Carnan had ferreted out the
whole case, proved that Joseph Nil
ward and his companion were the gull
ty parties, and that they had been aid
ed by many of the wealthy young men
of the village, and before he had finish
ed the District Attorney jumped up
and said: Il
s'May it please the court we throw
up the case" 3
Then Jamie was discharged forth
with, and the people gathered around
to shake hands with him, but he has
tened away from them and found Mag 4
pie and me, and together we went tol