Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-04-16
fercely from the place.

X
A month had passed and the shades c
tranquility rested over the little village
Ballyglen, when one beautiful autumn
evening its slumbering inhabitants wer
awakened from theif blissful repose by tn
cry of:
"Murder!''
Murder. The terrible word seemed t.
he echoed from the surrounding hills: ano
filled the hearts of the people with awe.
And too true was the awful tidings:
fiendish murder had been committed. ano
the victim was Godfrey Blake.
And the murderer; he was found bent
ever the PROSTATE form of his victim with
a blood-stained dagger in his hand-Ger-
aid O'Conner, the lover of his daughter
and was now safely lodged in prison.
| Another man was also found lying al
most dead a little way off from where the
crime was committed. with terrible
wound in his head. He was farm hand
of Nh Blake's, and was conveyed to his
home.
The. terror which filled the people when
the terrible deed had reached them, had
now passed away. and a desire to be
avenged ON the murderer had taken it's
place, and foremost in his Indignation was
Anthony Bell, who urged them on in theiI
wrath, and were it not that the prisoner
was removed to the county jail, the proba-
bility is that he would have been hung
without Judge or jury.
| Two weeks after the burial of Mr.. Blake
the trial was to take place, and on the
evening before the fixed day Gerald O'Con-
ner sat in his cell, his head resting on his
hands.
| Only two weeks since his arrest, and
what change had come over him in that
short time; every trace of color had left his
cheeks, and his eyes were sunk in their
sockets.
| sob, God! what have l ever done to
merit this terrible torture that is killing
me? I the murderer of Godfrey Blake,
man whom would shed the last drop of
my blood to serve. No, no! There is
some terrible mistake made; for he was
dead when I discovered him with dag
ger buried in his heart. And the people
all believe that / am guilty of so foul a
crime. Poor mother, wha: agony must
she not he suffering; and Molly, OH heaven!
does she too think me guilty?"
His head sank lower, his chest heaved
with emotion, and the great sobs that
escaped him depicted the agony which he
suffered.
He did not hear the bolt Of the cell door
shot back, nor was he aware that any one
entered till hand was laid on his shoulder
and a voice said:
9'Gerald''
He raised his head like one awaking
from a dream.
"Gerald, don't you know me?" asked
his visitor, as no sigE of recognition was
eyinced by, him.
eyes, Molly: [ do,'' he answered in
mournful accents, land do you too believe
me guilty of this terrible crime? If so,
how came you to seek the presence of one
whom you believe to be the murderer of
your father?"
believe you to be guilty?-no, no! L am
sure you never committed the crime of
which you stand accused. Trust in Him
who knows all, and He will not let the in
nocent suffer for the guilty.
'Your words tighten the terrible load
that lies at my heart and makes it easier
for me to bear; but the evidence is so strong
against me that it is a mockery to hope. l
have made up my mind that | am to be
made the victim to atone for crime of
which l am falsely accused
"Do not give way to despair for God
will not permit you to suffer for the crime
of another; and now, as the time is up land
hear the jailor coming, | must leave you,
so goodbye for to night" and she pressed
his cold hand in her own.
Good night, Molly, and may God bless
you'll
= Il
The morning came calm and beautiful
the morning of the day on which Gerald
O'Connor was to be tried for his life-tried
for murder he never committed.
The hour for the trial had come, the
prisoner was led up the aisle of the crowd
ed courtroom, and placed in the dock.
The prosecuting attorney opened the case
in behalf Of the crown, and witnesses were
exam ned.
Anthony Bell was the principal witness
for the prosecution; he testified to having
found O'Connor bent over the murdered
man with blood stained dagger in his
hand; saw him plunge it into che murder
ed mans breast.
Other witnesses testified to the same
with the exception of the stabbing, and the
prosecution closed.
The attorney for the defence opened the
case in a very eloquent manner, and tried
Ivy every available means to prove the in
nocence of the prisoner, bringing to bear
his former good character, etc.
The Judge then charged the Jury, telling
them to think we'll over the evidence before
giving their verdict.
They then retired, and after an hours
conference, returned to the jury box.
Every eye in the crowded court was fix
ed on the twelve solemn men as they took
their places and answered to their names
"Gentlemen Of the jury, have you decided
on verdict? Is the prisoner guilty Or not
guilty9"
The stiffness of death reigned; every
breath was hushed us the foreman of the
| jury arose to render their verdict-a ver-
dict which was to be either life or death to
the prisoner.
"Guity!'
The awful word rang through the crowd
ed court room, and every eye was fixed on
the prisoner. who stood pale, yet resolute,
| on the dock.