The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-09
The Trial Of A Maiden

The Trial Of A Maiden.
Miss Anna Connect, a pretty girl OF IA
years, was tried for burg AIRY in the c:uri
of special sessions at Elizabeth N. j., las
week. She lives with her father and moth.
or in a cottage in Peace street, beautiful
little maple-shaded avenue in Plainfield.
Her father has property and the family are
highly respectable. Anna had always borne
an unexceptionable reputation. She was a
constant attendant at the Second Presby-
terian church, and she stands high in her
class in the Sunday school. Adjoining the
cottage of her father is the house of Eph-
rain and Elizabeth Whittemore, q couple
who travel modest walk in life on the
proceeds derived from selling milk and
keeping few boarders, They are of fru-
gal disposition, and being unwilling to trust
their savings to banks and brokers, they
laid them away in their home. Their
small change they kept in a little fancy
colored and covered basket on shelf I'M
der the pantry window. The window re-
manned open. For year or more they
missed small sums from the house, and in
the summer there were several petty thefts
from the fancy basket under the window.
They watched and waited to discover the
thieves but in vain, and at last they de-
cided to appoint Mr.. Darby night watch
man. The pantry where the money was
deposited is an extension of the house, and
as it adjoins the kitchen, the window of the
one is diagonally across from that of the
other. 1t was thought best to post John
Il. Darby under the window of the ktch-
en-. On the sutry evening of August 10,
between and o'clock, MIR. Darby slowed
himself away in his position, and looked
1xv tat &l,n, .a,,tx 10
length away For some time the stiffness
step on the gravel. A light form cleaned
out of the darkness, maidens foot was
placed on the stone abutment, and, Mr..
Darby alleges, head and pair of shout
ders went carefully into the pantry window.
Then, Mr.. Darby says, he leaned noiseess-
ly through his own loophole, caught the
night visitor by the arm, and dragged the
form of Miss Anna Connect into view, and
she cried out in alarm, ooh, l wasn't 60
ing to get it," He maintained his hold,
and shouted at the top of his voice, ELIZA
beth, Ephraim, come, bring light" Mrs.
and Mr.. Whittemore and several maidens
streamed into the kitchen and stood about
the prisoner, and took a good look at her
to be sure that it was surely Miss Anna
Connect. Mrs. Whittemore then went in
to the pantry and returned with the fancy
basket, and its contents were examined.
She said that she had placed so cents in
the basket as a decoy, and as q proof in
case the thief should be apprehended. The
money had not been touched and Mrs.
Whittemore chided her watchman, saying
"Why didnt you let her take the money
before you caught herr" Mr.. Darby was
crest-fallen, and said nothing. Miss Con-
nett explained her action by saying that she
had little pet dog that she had confined
in the woodshed at night; that she went out
of the house that evening to catch the ter
rer, but it ran away from her, and she
followed it to the pantry window, and then
she was seized by the strong armed Darby.
She denied that abe had crawled into the
window, or that she knew where the money
was kept When Anna went out she told
her mother that she was going to shut uI
her pet, and after she returned from the
pantry window she informed her that the
dog had been safely housed. This fact was
stated at her trial. The grand jury indicted
her on two counts first, for breaking into
and entering a house ia the night time
with intent to steal, and, second, for enter.
ing without breaking into the house. The
trial was before Judge L. w. Runyon and
JubtiCeh II dIuHdii anu l)ONHc. d. Angus
tus Fay was counsel for the state, and VIM
p. Maxson, an old California lawyer, OF
Plainfield, appeared for the defense. The
court room was packed. The youth ant
beauty of the defendant, the gravity of the
alleged oifense, and the novelty of the case
combined to produce a powerful impression
upon the spectators The counsel for the
state, in summing up, said that he should
abandon tho frat nonpt tnt shnnl1 g.,
conviction on the second He reviewed
the testimony, which in many points was
almost conclusive of guilt, and when he
concluded there was a murmur of disap.
pointment over the seeming impossibiliiy
of acquittal.
Mr.. Maxson followed. He spoke of thu
promising life of his client in the past, hel
spotless reputation, her position, her as
soclations, and of the impossibility OF sc
sudden descent through all the gradatlonl
of crime to the level Of the midnight bur
glar and robber. 'Jurymen," said he
''you have arraigned before you child Jus
bursting from the bud of infancy and open
ing into the blossom of youth, who for five
years has been a constant attendant a
church and at Sunday school, and a fol-
lower of him who has said, "Suher little
children TO come unto me, for of such i.
the kingdom OF heaven Gentlemen O
the jury, leave the child in your hands
it is for you to say whether her presence
shall again gladden. the hearts of her fathel
and mother, the music Of her voice be agar
heard in the song Of The Sabbath school
her joyous laugh again be blended will
that of her associates and companions. OF
whether all the bright possibilities Of hel
young life shall be blasted in moment BY
verdict that shall consign her to felon1
DOOM"
AS the lawyer concluded, with bowed
head and in earnest tones, the effect wal
electrical Half the jurymen were in tears
The jury retired, but almost instantly re
turned. "Not guilty" exclaimed the fore
man in loud voice, and the spectators
burst into tumultuous applause. A thronp
Including attorneys and the clerk, gather
ed around the girl with congratulations
Among them was Mr.. Maxson, and as the
child was holding the hand of her defender
the mother said "Why don't you kiss him
Anna, he's done so well for you?u Tine
child looked around at the audience. and
though half abashed by the multitude O,
faces, suddenly turned and exclaiming. 81
don't care, will" she threw her arms
about the lawyers neck and kissed HIM
again and again.