The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-07-15
Select Story.
A JURYMAN'S STORY.

and stood eleven to one. The case was
very plain one--at least, we eleven
thought so.
A murder of peculiar atrocity had
been committed, aud though no eye had
witnessed the deed, circumstances point.
ed to the prisoners guilt with unfailing
certainty.
The recusant juror had stood oul
from the first. lie acknowledged the
cogency Of the proofs, confessed hi.
inability to reconcile the facts with the
defendants Innocence, and yet. on every
vote, went steadily for acquittal
His conduct was inexplicable. 1t
could not result from lack of iutelli.
gence; for while he spoke but little, his
words were well chosen, and evinced q
thorough understanding of the case.
Though still 10 the prime of manhood
his locks were prematurely white, and
his face wore a singularly sad and
thoughtful expression.
He might be one Of those who enter
tained scruples as to the right of society
to infiict the death penalty. But no, i,
was not that; for, in replying to a sug
gestion, be frankly admits that bruta
men, like the vicious brutes they resem
BILE, must be controlled through fear
and that dread of death, the suprem,
terror, is, in many cases, the only ade
quate restraint.
AT the prospect Of another night o
fruitiess Imprisonment, we began tc
owimpatient, and expostulated warmly
against what seemed an unreasonable
captiousness, and some not over kind
remarks were INDUCED 10 as TO the i'm
propriety of trifing with an oath like
that under which we we're acting.
"Aud yet" the man answered, a,
though coamuning with himself rather
than repelling the imputatiou, at i.
conscience that hiuders my concurrence
in verdict approved by my judgment. -
"How eau that bey" queried severa
ut once.
Conscience may not always dare tt
follow judgment"
"But here she can know no other
euiue'
~ once would have said the same.
"And what has changed your opin
iong"
..mExperience"
Inc speakers manner was yisibly
ag'tated' aud we waited in silence tht
explanation which be seemed ready t,
give
Mastering his emotion, as If in au
swer 10 our looks OF inquiry, he con
t'nusd:
Twenty years ago was youne
man just beginning life. Few had
brighter prospects, and none brighter
hopes.
| IAN attachment, dating from child
hood, had ripened with its object
There had been no verbal declaration
and acceptance Of love-no formal
Pighting OF troth; but when took my
departure to seek home in the distant
West, 1t was thing understood, that
when had found it aud put it iu order
she was to share it.
Life in the forest, though solitary
is not necessarily lonesome. The kind
Of society afforded by Nature, depends
much on ones self. As for mo, ] lived
more in the future than in the present
aud hope is an ever.cheerful com panion
"At length the time came for max.
ing the final payment on the home who
| had bought. 1t would henceiorth be
my own; aud, 10 a few more months
my simple dwelling, which had spared
no pains to render inviting, would be
graced by its mistress.
"At the land Office, which was some
sixty miles off, met my old friend,
George G. He, too, had come to seek
his fortune in the West; and we were
both delighted at the meeting. He had
brought with him, he said, "a sum Of
money which he desired to invest in
land, on which it was his purpose to
settlo