The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-06-19

that IL was In the yard the evening previ-
Gus. The prosecuting attorney next pro
duced beautiful tatted necktie. IL was
She one usually wore. The night before,
when getting ready io- bed missed IL,
and had searched for IL everywhere in my
room. Mother had worked il for my
Christmas present. They testified 10 find.
ing II on the floor. about six ieet from the
empty safes. A murmur OF satisfaction
arose from the excited mass of people AS
the necktie was held up TO view.
And now. all eyes are turned toward
Brown. He was pale and excited, and
had but partly recovered from his fright.
lie testified 10 having seen me standing in
and around the bank many times, and TO
my having been the last man TO leave, the
night before He produced the watch,
showed the half imbedded bullet, and
then 10 my utter horror. sworc positively
that by the flash OF the pistol he believed
he recognized my face as that of the burg
lar who shot him.
don't believe | heard much more of
the evidence. Dazed. bewildered, crushed,
leaned my head on the table before me,
10 shut out the gaze of the jeering, cxult-
ing mob. The only witnesses in my IA
vor We're the well-worn Latin grammar,
and the little covered Bible which they
found in my valise while searching for
burglars implements. These, however.
awaited nothing. The crafty lawyer said
something about hypocrisy and cunning,
which soon turned the tide of feeling in
the old channel. He urged long and forci-
bly,. but | paid little heed. | was con-
scious that after time the judge arose TO
pronounce sentence. He spoke briefly OF
81 Il. - n.
sweePing over the country. and of the
hideous act that had nearly cost them
valuable citizen the night previous.
that his duty was plain, and much
as he pitied my youth-iust then loud
voices caused every eve TO turn toward
the door. Several horsemen had leisurely
ridden up few moments before. and 1t
was one of their number that was now
forcing his way into the room. raised
my head and recognized the honest face of
stalwart Tom Crawford, my landlady's
son. was little acquainted with him. ex-
cept as an influential man. and should have
paid no further attention had he not raised
his gloved hand. and with gesture of au-
thority babe the judge 4" Stop"
In a few brief words ne explained that ut
the time the shots were fired. he sprang
from his bed. intending to 90 down town,
TO see what was the matter. Remembering
that his overcoat hung in my room. he
went 10 the door and Knocked. Receiving
no answer. he tried the knob, found the
door unlocked. and entered.
He said that | was sleeping heavily. and
that although the coat hung near the head
81 the bed. | did not awake or make any
motion. Turning 10 where sat he said
. That poor boy knows nothing whatever
IF this crime"
The excitement had been too much for
my overtaxed nerves. The gloom had
been so deep. so hopeless. so dreadful. and
hen the reaction so sudden and unexpect-
d. that with cry of JOY | sprang toward
Tom and fell fainting at his feet. Kind
hands >oon brought me 10 consciousness,
Dut not before had been cleared of every
suspicion of guilt.
Tom had hurried down town after leay-
ng my room. and was one of the first on
he spot. Hastily organizing party. he
lad started in search of the burglars. and
lfter a long and fruitless hunt, had re
urned 10 learn that | was about to be con
-icted OF burglary, bank robbery and at
empted murder.