The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-02-15

III ING pnflOr, cefthlnly tuOuBub "
strange, but supposing IL 10 be one Of
my fellow.students, I partially dressed
myself and went down stairs. The face
Of the man was unknown to me, and /
was by no means iayorably impressed
with his appearance. After looking at
mo keenly for q moment, he said, as
though he had some doubt as To the
fact
{" Is your name George Boltonl"
/ admitted that 1t was.
"Well," ho continued, al was told l
should find him here; but you don't look
much like q highwayman. However,
that's none Of my business. Ihave got
warrant against you, or leastways
against ono George Bolton, who stopped
a gentleman on the highway last night,
and robbed him Of his watch and
purse"
"Awurrantle z! I exclaimed, "against
aJust 50, " lio replied. ''The gentle.
man slyshe recognized the robber, and
traced him 10 this house. It's odd, /
know-yery odd;' but as i said before,
that's mono Of my business, and you'll
have to go with me, after 1 have searched
your room" l~a
/ began now TO realize the awkward
situation in which I had placed myself,
for the officer would be sure to find tho
property, and TINT would Of course afford
presumptiye evidence Of guilt.
"But II was all q Joke, Ibegan. d
He promptly stopped me.
al don't want you to admit or explain
anything to me, he said; "that you can
do to the magistrate. hope it may
turn out to be joke; but Just show me
TO your room, II you please"
1 did so, and there on my dressing
table were the watch and purse, which
he quickly transfcrred to his own
pocket, %
"You had better tinish dressing" he
said; "and l. you want breakfast, I'll
waitfor you"
Ihad little appetite for breakfast, how.
ever, although / did not feel greatly
alarmed, supposing that when the affair
was fully explained i should be prompt
ly set at liberty.
1 completed my toilet, but dispensed
with breakfast, and was conveyed TO the
office Of tho magistrate, although the
hearing would not take place until to-
wardsnoon. In tho meantime, / notified
my fellow-studentsof my situation, who,
when they came, treated the matter very
lightly, and never for one moment sup
posed that Charges would proceed TO ex-
trcmities. The magistrate had been
seen, however, by some influential par
tics, and all tho particulars impaired TO
hini. He ndmitted that il was hard
case, but said he had no power TO inter
fere II the prosecution was prepared.
Charges was sought for in vain, and was
evidently keeping out Of the way, which
had rather an unfayorable look, 80 far as
i was concerned.
AT length the hour arrived, and was
ushered into the presence Of tho magis-
trates-for two or three were present, at
tracted, probably, by the novelty Of tlfe
case, which caused likewise large at
tendanceof the townspeople. I was sur
rounded by friends-for the lecturers
and others connected with the hospital
were present TO help me, il possible, out
OF the difficulty.
Tho name OF tho prosecutor was called,
and Charges walked TO tho witness-stand
with d firm step, and yindictive scowl
upon his face which crushed out hope
from my heart, and / felt that he would
proceed without finching to the /" bitter
end" it
Hc gave his testimony clearly, and, Of
course, not one fact could be gainsaid.
Tho robbery was fully proved, and how
could 1t be shown TINT II was no robbery
at all, but merely tho misclievous taking
of tho property, without any felonious
intent There were, to DO sure, plenty
to swear TO the circumstances leading 10
the act, but they could not swear away
the fact that tho law had been violated,
and that o crime had been colnmitted;
aud this being proved, tho magistrate
had no alternative but to commit me,
and I was accordingly consigned to
pTlbuu, W uWult LlI tIlhs
I was consoled rs far as possible by
the kindness and sympathy Of my friends,
by the unceasing attentions Of my af-
ficted parents, and | had certainly the
satisfaction Of knowing TINT these whose
esteem I valued never entertained q
doubt Of my entire innocence. Charges
himself, Of course, was assured Of II, but
he Ind malignant and yindictiye spirit
which resisted all attempts at cpncilia-
tion, and 1t was only Us the trial ap-
preached that he softened 30 far as 10
promise to admit his belief, when ex-
amined, that I was not guilty Of felonious
intent. Eminent counsel were consulted,
and no expense was spared in my behalf,
but nothing could save me from the fear.
ful ordeal Of apublic trial, or, in their
opinion, prevent ayerdict Of guilty be.
ing rendered against me.
After several consultations, II was
finally decided by the lawyers, rs the
only mode 10. avoid as far as possible q
painful publicity, that I should be taken
into court early in the morning, imme-
tho court consenting 10 receive the ali.
davits Of tho prosecutor and witnesses as
10 the extenuating circumstances. This
arrangement was carried out. | was
placed OF the bar alone, my plea recorded,
and I was then quietly taken back to the
infrmary, in which 1 had been permitted
10 pass my imprisonment.
The jailor came 10 me one morning 10
say that sentence was 10 be pronounced,
and 10 DO prepared in half an hour. AT
the expiration Of the time, 1 was, with
some half dozen other prisoners, placed
at the bar. Tho judge made only o few
remarks, and then pro.
,,o,,ncad fhe aenkenne of heyen veara,