Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-30
NO. 1O2.
Gales and Sketel,es.
lcoNCLUDED FROM YESTERDAYS PAPER.
UNDER SUSPICION.

examination they call it--took place on
Tuesday. The magistrate heard the evil
dence, and said that he must commit the
prisoner to await the action of the Grand
Jury. We might have got him out on
bail, but there was no bondsman, for though
Jamie had plenty of friends, they were all
poor. The boy spoke no harsh words
whatever.
"'Twill make no difference mother" he
said, when visited him in his cell, '.for
the jury is in session, and if they find
an indictment against me | shall be tried
in few days. You have money enough
saved up to live on these many weeks,
and they may acquit me in the end.n
"But Jamie, asked, "what does young
NHlward mean by his evidence? He has
perjured himself, has he not ?"
Jamie hid his face in his hands for mo-
ment, then looking up he said resolutely:
II can't answer your question, mother,
God must Judge between him and me-
Then changing the subject Can you get
me lawyer mother?'
''Of course | can, and will"
SO after little more talk left Jamie,
and sought the office of Squire Carnan. A
good man the Squire was, and an honest
lawyer When he discovered who was,
and my business, he told me buntly that
he did not wish to undertake the case.
And are you afraid that Ill not pay
you?'' | asked. ''Indeed sir, if it costs
years Of labor you shall receive every cent
you charge"
He smiled sadly
"No, madam, It's not the money!" he
said ''but | do not like to feel that the
saving of anybody's life depends on my
efforts
'I4ife = replied "Would they hang
Jamie?"
"If found guilty in all probability they
will, he replied.
| scarcely knew what said, but beg
ged and implored Mr.. Carnan to save the
poor boy. At last he consented to visit him.
.'And if | am convinced of his inno-
cence,n he added, II will endeayor to OBJ
tain his acquittal."
So the Squire went to the jail-(as l was
told atterward) and saw my son alone
in the cell
James," said he kindly, II want to
know the truth in this case. My position
as lawyer and the rules of the court rem
der whatever you may tell me now as q
sacred secret. BY acknowledging your
guilt-if you are guilty | shall be able
to shape my defence so as to obtain the
| Hghtest possible punishment"
Then Jamie stood up boldly in his cell,
aud raising his right hand toward heaven,
said:
"Mr. Carnan, they may hang me if they
want to- but am entirely innocent of this
charge. and am willing to die with these
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
Il believe you, Riley, and will defend
you. Now tell me where you were last
Sunday night ?'
well" answered Jamie, 81 spent the
evening at a friends house in the northern
part of the village. | returned home be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock
'And you passed the Presbyterian
| Church on your way?"
II did, replied Jamie.
'Did you see any one in that vicinity?" ?"
Eyes, sir"
"Who?"
Il cannot answer that question, Mr..
Carnann
Then the lawyer sat and thought for a
little while, and without another word he
left the cell, and went straight to his Of
flee; nor did Jamie see him again until
the day of the trial.
!
when | called on him once he told me to
be of good cheer; that he believed my
son to be innocent, and hoped to clear
him.
! Maggie Bryan grew paler and paler day
by day, and it was little sleep she got
nights. When the thoughtless villagers
talked of Jamie's guilt her cheeks turned
red. and her eyes flashed bright as the
stars in heaven.
| The trial came off in two weeks-sad,
| long weeks they were to me; but pray
ed 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 court
room 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 tireside 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 prep
aration for the trial. We thought it would
occupy the whole day. but it came to an
unexpected termination.
Joseph Milward was the first witness
called. He told the same story that he
had at Jamie's former examination.
| remember the scene WELL
| The District Attorney had asked the
questions, and having finished, he said
THAT will do, SIR
Milward was about to leave the witness
stand, when Mr.. Carnan spoke up:
''We will croSs-eXamine this witness.n
oh, what cross-examination that was !!
And what an excitement there was in court
The old Judge dropped his spectacles.
the District Attorney looked blank, the
jury scratched their heads. and the vast
crowd kept as still as mice, that they might
hear every word.
Mr.. Carnan had ferroted out the whole
case, and from the mouth of that witness
he proved that Joseph Milward and his
companions were the guilty parties, and
they had been aided by many of the