The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-07-12


. siderable emInence, arose and said
= would make a point III the prisoners 5
behalf, your honor, and act as his attorney.
have never observed case ike the pres
ent, where no defence has been attempted
If the prisoner will accept my services, |
will attempt to do my best for him.
A grateful flush surmounted the young
man brow. as he arose to his feet.
y ! am mystitied and bewildered, he
sand, and am at a loss to even family
/ comprehend how | have been 50 far the
! victim of adverse circumstances as to be
taken for some person bearing fatal re-
semblance to myself. For, scarcely two
months since proyidentially y escaped from
an enemy, who held me for the ms
deeds Of some other A Wild improbable
story, YOU will say, and with your minds
already pre- judiced against me, see how diff
terently man, no better, no worse than
the majority Of mankind IS Judged by
twelve, intelligent jurymen, and by the
angels above.
He resumed his seat As he finished, the
Judge, annoyed and perpleNed, at TINS infor
NAL termination to the trial, arose and said
" If the prisoner has any defence to set
up. We viii now hear it, II not, the case
must proceed
have nothing to say, save that | am
innocent, sadly responded the prisoner.
In formal method, the Judge delivered
hls instructions to the jury, which with
drew immediately after
An interval Of an hour elapsed, and then
the prisoner was re-conveyed 10 his cell,
a convicted felon, found guilty Of the de
hberate murder Of Richard Crumshaw, and
awaiting sentence for another's crime.
once in his cell his feelings gave way,
and IN the utter friendlessness Of his posi-
tlon, he bent his head ia fearful medita-
ton A dreary blank was before him, void
Of all sympathy and all hope The mean
est criminal had friends uf his Ilk to con
dole with him, and tighten the severity Of
legal penalty. but h, had nome, not even an
acquaintance.
In the awful realization II tins fact, un-
doubting that he would be meted out the
fullest punishment for murder. he marvel
led al what singular fatality had attended
ms lot IN life Twice some fatal mistake
had nearly caused hlm his lie, and he won
drred Why this second self, this counter
part NJ himself. had never met him face TO
face. little susPectlng Who tins double
might be-
A step along the corridor a sudden rat
tie at hIs door, and the punderous iron mass
swung partially open t. admit a visitor
And this is Mr Sidney Vivian !"
The prisoner bowed ana looked up IA
surprise, observing, with some little as
constituent, that his interlocutOr, a man
somewhat past ms prime, was regarding
HIM with look eager and singular III ITS
expression
The visitor mutoned the Jailor away
and, as the door closed upon him. the
Jallor said ''Ouly half an hour. remem-
Der tNlng his eyes scrutnizingly upon
the prisoner
When | tell you. he said, hls voice
trembling with anxiety, that | have fol
lowed you many miles III order to ask
yau one question. and, all the time be
heylng that you could restore great boon
to a young friend II mine, whose welfare is
a great blect to me, you will not feel out
ragged when ! aver that | am disappointed
In finding you the inmate of a prison cell
uu the chaT-g of murder
The prisoner. who. at the hrst uttrrauce.
had seemed somewhat startled and sur
prtsed because positively beNIldrred At
the words " his visitor, and fol few mo
Inents was silent Invested as had his
whole life been, with my ystery lie ala not
,''t IL. ..;4 ~ ....:..
.i,.,,,'t,' "'''' fD'''
:. ~. ,,,.. ;,...........,I h. s..,..,..i,-
- ~ -, -
I dnn.t haIieT,. tbat ,,,n ILL.,.
Thank you, SIR, replied the prisoner.
m \ ca are the only person who has said 50
r. me, and you Dc not know how great is
public prejudice against me here.
know 1t all, but, before discussing
Your guilt, n Its circumstances, let me ask
You one question Where did you come
from t" England
From India.
The old man eyes ht up with pleased
sparkle
Direct
Direct, slr.
Did you ever know, IA that Tar distant
land man named William MaPletOn
lhe prisoner lnterl"cutor fairy uemb-
lea WITH impatient anxiety, as he asked
the question.
Never have never heard the name
before.
A groan issued from the visitor lips,
~ lduit ne nluttereu- am 50
disappointed T. md that my efforts have
been ~ VAN
In what way were you led to believe
that was acquainted with the gentleman
7" whom have referred querled the prs
oner.
By his mention Of your name.
A puzzled look came into the others
face
..Of nv name " H. murmur.d Nth
snrnrise
Yes"
II an strangely mzzIed
You must be but IN me expIain nv
vouny friend ~ whom bava raferrad y
a Young man to whom the nast Il as dead