Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-04-15

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His story was this: He had been
spending The evening-and so much
he was able to prove-in a visit to
young girl to whom he was betrothed
On his return, two men walking arm-in-
arm, turned into the street before him,
continuing in the same direction as HIM
self, but some distance in advance. Sud
denly, one of them disengaged his arm
and dealt his companion swift blow
with some instrument, which, as it des-
cended, cleaned in the gasight like the
blade OF weapon. The one stricken,
reeled, and fell, uttering faint cry.
The other glanced hastily around, and
seeing the prisoner rapidly approaching,
turned and fed. When the latter reached
the body, life was extinct. He had just
withdrawn the weapon, which had been
left In the wound. and was about to run
or call for help, when he was apprehend-
ed as already stated.
But prisoners statement, though all
powerful against him, goes but little
way in exculpation. A verdict of Evil
full murder against Aubrey was re-
turned by the eoroner's jury, and he was
fully committed for trial.
1t was at this stage of the case | was
retained for the defence. The task
seemed hopeless enough. On the final
trial, the only facts in evidence would be
those which told so damningly against
the prisoner. His own statement, which
the coroner had allowed TO be received,
would there be entirely excluded. But
one result could reasonably be antici-
pated.
The poor widow never doubted her
sons innocence. s'He was always so
good and gentle" she said. Still less
would it have been possible to create a
suspicion in the mind of her who loved
him with all the blind devotion of a
Young and trusting soul
81 kno,C he is not guilty." she would
again and again reiterate. ''When he
left me that night with words so tender
and loving, there could have been no
murder in his heart
/ It was impossible to witness faith so
pure and steadfast without feeling its in
fiuence. The young mans statement, if
true, perfectly reconciled every fact with
his innocence and, after all, less weight
was due to his first confusion and fail
ure to explain the circumstances than
was generally supposed.
The day of trial came. had no wit
nesses, save a few to previous good
character. / had determined to risk all
ON a stroke, the wisdom or folly of
which could only be determined by the
event
Girard was the first witness called.
He gave his evidence with great pre-
cision and clearness. I cross-examined
him very briefly, and he had just quilted
the witness-box, when, as If transixed
by some instantaneous shock, he stood
the very impersonation of terror. His
hair literally stood on end. His eyes
were riveted on a figure advancing
toward him with slow and measured
tread. II was the exact image Of the
murdered naan!-his face all pale and
CHASTITY as when he lay in his coffin.
That such visitor was not of this world
was the common feeling even of those
who had never seen Marley, and who
knew not whose was the ghostly form
shus mysteriously revealed.
"Merciful God," shrieked rather
than articulated the frightened wretch
who had just stepped his soul in per-
jury against another's life GO but un-
chain my senses from this horrible
vision, and let mans weightiest con dem-
nation fall upon NE"
Then, sinking on his knees, in dis
jointed and broken sentences, he poured
forth confession that fully justified the
belief / had for some time entertained,
that he, Giraud, and not my client, was
the real culprit.
And now, reader, don't throw away the
paper with a sheer at "ghost stories, :"
till you find out whether I have been tell
ing one or not
had friend, young actor, who, if
living to-day, would be the brightest star
on the English boards. His power of
imitation was wonderful. He knew
and had seen Marley. A weeks prac-
tice made him perfect In the part he
was to perform, and it was he, and no
ghost, that appeared, as pre-arranged
between US, at the critical moment. 1
had read
:. That guilty creatures, sitting at play,
Have by the very cunning Of the
Been struck so to the soul, that presently
They have proclaimed their malefactions -
and the result rroved that the GREAT