Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-01-18
MISCELL LANEOUS.
A Juryman's Story.


committed, and though no eye witnessed the
deed, circumstances pointed to ibe prisoners
gnilt with unfailing. certainty, The recnssnt
juror had stood ont from the first. He &C
kuowledged the coeency of the proofs, con-
fessed his inability to reconcile the facts with
the defendants innocence, and yet. on every
vote went steadily for acquitta. His conduct
was iuexplicahle. 1t could not result from a
lack Of intelligence for, while he spoke but
little. his words were well chosen, and evinced
q thorough understanding Of the case
Though still in the prime Of manhood, his
locks were prematurely white, and his face
ore sineularly sad aud thoughtful express
sion. He might be one of those who enter
tained scruples as to the right Of society to in
tiict the death peualty. But no, it was not
that; for in reply To such suggestion he
frankly adm ted that brutal men, like the yio-
lent bru,es they resemble, must he controlled
through fear, aud that dread of death, the su-
prrme terror, is in many cases the only ade-
quate restraint.
At the prospect Of another night Of fruite,'
imprisonment. We began to grow impatient
aud expnstulatcd warmly at what seemed to
be an unreasonable captiousuess, and some not
over-kind remarks were indulged in as to the
impr"prrry Of tnAing with an oath like that
under which we were acting.
And yet" the man answered as though
mmuuicaiiug with himself rather than re-
pellius the impuiaiion, " it is conscience that
hinders my concurrence in verdict approved
by my Judgment"
How can that ts2" quericd several at
unce.
Conscience may not always dare to follow
Judgment"
q" But here she can know no other guide"
=" once would have said the same"
Aud what has changed your opinion ?"
Experience"
The speakers manner was visbly a2ita-
ted. and We waited in silence the explanation
which Inc seemed ready to give"
Mastering his emotion, as if to answer ouI
ln"ks If inquiry, he continued
"Tweury years ago was young. beginning
ife. Few bad brighter prospects, and none
brighter hopes An attachment dating from
childhood ripene.l with its object. There hat
beeu no verbal declaration and acceptance O
l,ye-uo formal pIghtng of troth, but wher
| t",k my departure to seek home in thu
distant West, it was thing understood, tha
when bad found it aud put in order, she wa
To- share T.
Life in The forest, though solitary, IS no
necessarily louesome The kind Of socict!
afforded by nature depends much upon one
self. As for me, lived more in the future thar
IN the preseut, aud hope was an ever cheerful
companion.
AT length the time came for making th
final payment on the home which had bought
1t wouId henceCor!h be my own aud, in few
months, my simple dwelling, which ha
spared no pains to render inviting, would b
sracrd by its mistress
"At lie Iand effice, which was some sixt.
miles of, met my friend, George C. lie
tm, had come to seek his fortune in the West
and we were both delighted at the meeting
he had brought with him, he said sum d
money which he desired to invest in land, o
which it was his purpose to settle.
q expressed u strong wish to have him fu
a ntighhur, and gave him cordial Invitation
t, accompany me home, giving it as my be
liel that he could nowhere make better Sc
lection than in that vicinity. He readily con
,ented, and we set out together. We ha
n,t ridden many miles when George suddenl
recnllrcte,I commission he had undertake
fr a friend which would require his attend
ance at public Iand sale on the following day
Exac,iug promise that he would not della
his visit longer than necessary, and havin
given minute directions as to the route, con
hnued oli my way homeward while he turne
back was about reti ing to my Ted on IL
night OF my return, when a summons fror
without called me To the door. A strange
asked shelter f,r himself aud his hoIts for th
night. Invited him in.
Though stranger, his face seemed nc
unfamiliar lie was probably one OF the me
bad seen at the laud-ofiice, place much frc
quented Offering him seat, went to &c
to his horse. The poor animal, as well as
could see by the starlight, seemed to hav
beeu hardly used. His painting sides bore wit
uess of merciIess riding, and a tremulou
shrinking at the slightest touch betokened re
cent fright.
On re-entering the house found th
strange was not there his absence excited n
surprise he would doubtless return. 1t was
little singular, however, that be should hsv
left lis watch on The table.
AT the end Of half al hour my CUES: No
returning, I went out again to the stable
thinking he might have found his way thithe
to give personal attention to the wants Of hi
horse.
Before going ont, from mere force Of habi
for we were as ye. uniufested by eithe
thieves or policemen-T took the p'ecaution {