The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-02-18

in the parlor. [ certainly thought it
strange, but supposing it to be one of
my fellow-students, L partially dressed
myself and went down stairs. The face
of the man was unknown to me, and 1
was by no means favorably impressed
with his appearance. After looking at
me keenly for moment, he said, as
though he had some doubt as to the
fact
" Is your name George Bolton2''
1 admitted that it was.
"Well," he continued, "I was told 1
should find him here; but you don't look
much like highwayman. However,
that's none of my business. have got
warrant against you, or leastways
against one George Bolton, who stopped
gentleman on the highway last night,
and robbed him of his watch and
purse.
GA warrant !" L exclaimed, "against
me?"
"Just So" he replied. "The gentle
man says he recognized the robber, and
traced him to this house. It's odd, 1
know-very odd; but as L said before,
that's none of my business, and you'll
have to go with me, after have searched
your room"
L began now to realize the awkward
situation in which [ had placed myself,
for the officer would be sure to find the
property, and that would of course afford
presumptive evidence Of guilt.
"But it was all joke, began.
He promptly stopped me.
"I 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, if you please"
l did so, and there on my dressing
table were the watch and purse, which
he quickly transferred to his own
pocket.
"You had better finish dressing," he
said; "and if you want breakfast, I'll
wait for you."
had little appetite for breakfast, how
ever, although [ did not feel greatly
alarmed, supposing that when the affair
was fully explained 1 should be prompt
ly set at liberty.
completed my toilet, but dispensed
with breakfast, and was conveyed to the
Office of the magistrate, although the
hearing would not take place until to-
L
my fcllow-studentso of my situation, who,
when they came, treated the matter very
lightly, and never for one moment sup
posed that Charges would proceed to ex-
tremities. The magistrate had been
seen, however, by some influential par
ties, and all the particulars impaired to
him. He admitted that it was hard
case, but said he had no power to inter
fere if the prosecution was prepared.
Charges was sought for in vain, and was
evidently keeping out of the way, which
had rather an unfavorable look, SO far as
L was concerned.
At length the hour arrived, and I was
ushered into the presence of the magis-
trates-for two or three were present, at
tracted, probably, by the novelty of the
case, which caused likewise large at
tendance of the townspeople. / was sur
rounded by friends-for the lecturers
and others connected with the hospital
were present to help me, ii possible, out
of the difficulty.
The name of the prosecutor was called,
and Charges walked to the witness-stand
with firm step, and vindictive scowl
upon his face which crushed out all hope
from my heart, and felt that he would
proceed without finching to the " bitter
end"
He gave his testimony clearly, and, of
course, not one fact could be gainsaid.
The robbery was fully proved, and how
could it be shown that it was no robbery
at all, but merely the mischievous taking
of the property, without any felonious
intent There were, to be sure, plenty
to swear to the circumstances leading to
the act, but they could not swear away
the fact that the law had been violated,
and that crime had been committed; !;
and this being proved, the magistrate
had no alternative but to commit me,
and L was accordingly consigned to
prison, to await my trial.
was consoled as far as possible by
the kindness and sympathy of my friends,
by the unceasing attentions OF my af-
hicted parents, and l had certainly the
satisfaction of knowing that these whose
esteem L valued never entertained a
doubt of my entire innocence. Charges
himself, of course, was assured of it, but
he had a malignant and vindictive spirit
which resisted all attempts at concilia-
ton, and it was only as the trial ap-
preached that he softened so far as to
promise to admit his belief, when ex-
amined, that 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
full ordeal of public trial, or, in their
opinion, prevent verdict OF guilty be-
ing rendered against me.
After several consultations, it was
finally decided by the lawyers, as the
only mode to avoid as far as possible a
painful publicity, that should be taken
into court early in the morning, imme-
diately after it opened, and plead guilty,
the court cOnsenting to receive the atfi-
davits of the prosecutor and witnesses as
to the extenuating circumstances. This
arrangement was carried out. L was
placed at the bar alone, my plea recorded,
and L was then quietly taken back to the
intirmary, in which [ had been permitted
to pass my imprisonment.
The iailor came to me one morning to
say that sentence was to be pronounced,
and to be prepared in half an hour. At
the expiration of the time, L was, with
some half dozen other prisoners, placed
at the bar. The judge made only few
preliminary remarks, and then pro-
nounced the sentence of seven years
transportation upon each of us; but
looking at me, he added, L thought
somewhat kindly, that we should not all
be sent to the penal colony.
/ was that night placed in the ward
with the other prisoners, with whom l
was to be conveyed the following morn
ing to the convict hulks at Chatham