The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-05-06
WHO MURDERED HIM?

Two gentlemen sat S1ppIng their wine
after dinner, and talking in the l~eisurely,
disconnected way which, together with
their attitudes, showed that they both
were taking mental as well as bodily rest
after the labors of the day. They were
representatives of two of the learned
professions, each a man of mark in his
calling, the n tall, strongly-built, with
a massive head and a thoughtful and
benevolent aspect; the other much
smaller, why, agile, with keen, marked
features-a man evidently profound as
well as astute, and though not handsome,
one calculated to arrest attention, wher-
ever encountered.
The first was a distinguished physi-
clan, the other an equally distinguished
lawyer. The PHYSICIANS investigation
and testimony as an expert had been
procured In a case just closed, In which
his legal friend was the prosecuting
attorney. The labors of both had been
arduous, and neither was averse to the
rest and quietude which the close of the
trial made possible to them. They were,
and had long been, warm personal
friends, and were now dining together
at the lawyers rooms, and indulging in
the easy converse, broken by long
silences, which their familiar friendli-
ness warranted.
The case had been decided against the
prosecution, the jury, after not more
than half an hours absence, bringing in
a verdict of not guilty, which had been
received with cheers and other express
sions of appreciation by the closely
crowded audience which had listened to
the closing scenes of the trial, and many
of the persons composing which had
attended day after day through its entire
continuance.
"I did not look to see you so little an
noyed by the result of this trial." said
the physician to his friend. "You
seemed flushed and weary, but there
was an expression of relief upon your
features, if one may Judge from the few
signs betrayed by a countenance SO
closely guarded when the verdict was
announced"
"You Judged rightly, Doctor" was the
answer. 81 might tell you, as a friend,
that I was relieved. Facts had come to
my knowledge, In the course of the in
vestigation, which made me believe the
accused innocent. I was morally certain
of it, though the evidence was strong
against him, and / trembled lest the Jury
should bring in a verdict of guilty, as
they might very well have done, had
they alone considered the facts sworn
to, and left out of account the mans
previous good character, and the slight
provocation, distant in time and appar-
emily forgotten, which only could be
adduced as a motive. Of course, you
will not mention this. The man is &C
quilted, and 1 trust the whole affair will
soon be forgotten save by the actors in it.
81 certainly shall not mention it, since
you desire me not" said the doctor:
"but your statement accounts to me fol
what I have been looking at as a lack Of
your usual spirit in concluding the prose
cution. 1, myself, had no doabt of the
mans guilt until the very last; but ]
had no means of knowing the circum.
stances which have changed your opin.
ion."
"Neither had Others" replied the
lawyer, "who have accused me with
much bitterness, of not seeking will
sufficient zeal the ends of Justice. It is
sometimes difficult, in my profession, t.
reconcile conscience and a desire fol
popular approval. But L see you arr
laughing at my unwonted strain" III
continued. "Perhaps it strikes you al
out of character from the lips of a public
prosecutor, and it may be. will stoI
moraGzing, and, if you are disposed tx
listen, tel you a story, an incident o