Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-07-15
A Juryman's Story.

stood eleven to one. The case was very
plain one-at least we eleven thought so.
A murder of peculiar atrocity had been COM
mitted, and though no eye had witnessed the
deed, circumstances pointed to the prisoners
guilt with unfailing certainty.
The recusant juror had stood out from the
first. lie acknowledged the cogency of the
proofs, confessed his inability to reconcile the
facts with the defendants innocence, and yet
on every vote, went steadily for acquittal.
His conduct was iuexplicable. 1t could not
result from lack of Intelligence; for while he
spoke but little, his words were well chosen,
and evinced a thorough understanding in this
case.
Though still in the prime of manhood, his
locks were prematurely white, aud his face
wore singularly sad aud thoughtful express
SION
He might be one of those who entertained
scruples as to the right of society to inilict the
death penalty. But no, it was not that; ior'
in reply to such suggestion, he frankly ad-
mitted that brutal men, like the vicious brateS
they resemble, must be controlled through fear,
and that dread of DEATH the supreme terror,
is, in many cases, the only adequate restraint.
At the prospect of another night OF irultlcss
Imprisonment we began 10 grow impatient, and
expostulated warmly against what seemed an
unreasonable captiousness; and some not over
kind remarks were INDUCED in as to the i'm
propriety of trining with an oath like that un-
der which we were acting.
"And yet" the man answered, as though
communing with himself rather ihan repelIinS
the imputation. Itis conscience that binders
nv concurrence in verdict approved by my
judgment"
"How can that bc?" qucrricd several at
once.
Conscience may not always dare to follow
judgment"
"But here she can know no other guide.
al once would have said the same"
"And what has changed your opinlony
Experience
The speakers manner was vislbly aG'tated'
and we waited in silence the explanation which
he seemed ready to give.
Mastering his emotion, as if in answer to our
looks of inquiry, he continued:
Twenty years ago was young man just
beginning life Few had brighter propects and
none brighter hopes.
can attachment, dating from childhood,
had ripened with its object. There had been
no verbal declaration and acceptance OF love
no formal plighting of troth; but when
took my departure to seek home in the dis
tant West, it was thing understood, that
when l had found it and put it in 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 me, / lived more in the future than
in the present, and Hope is an ever-cheerlul
companion.
at length the time came for making the
final payment on the home which | had bought.
1t would henceforward be my own; and in
few more months, my simple dwelling, which
had spared no pains to render inviting would
be graccd by its mistress.
AT the land Office, which was some sixty
miles off, met my CID friend George c. He
too. had come to seek his fortune in the West ;
and we were both delighted at the meeting
He had brought with him, be said, sum OF
money which he desired to invest in land, on
which it was lis purpose to settle.
"I expressed strong wish to have him for
a neshbor, and gave him cordial invitation
to accompany me home, giving it as my belief
that he could nowhere make better selection
than in that vicinity.
He readily consented, and we set out to-
gether. We had not ridden many miles, when
George suddenly recollected commission he
had undertaken for friend which would re-
quire his attendance at public land-sale on
the following day.
"Exactng promise that he would not de-
lay his visit longer than necessary, and having
given minute directions as to the route, | con-
tinued ny way homoward, while he turned
back.
al was about retiring to bed on the night OF
nv return, when summons from without call
ed me to the door. A stranger asked shelter
for himself and horse for the night.
II invited him in. Though stranger DIS
face seemed not unfamiliar. Hewas probably
one Of the men had seen 1T the Lard once