The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-05-07
SgistFlIauruns.
WHO MURDERED HIM?

Two gentlemen sat slipping their win,
after dinner, and talking in the leisurely
disconnected way which, together Will
their attitudes, showed that they botl
were taking mental as well as bodily resi-
after the labors of the day. They were
representatives of two of the learned
professions, each man of mark in his
calling, the one tall, strongly built, with
massive head and thoughtful and
benevolent aspect; the other much
smaller, wiry, agile, with keen, marked
teatures-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 case just closed, in which
his legal friend was the prosecuting at
torney. 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 dinning together
at the lawyers rooms, and indulging in
the easy converse, broken by long 81
lences, which their familiar friendliness
warranted.
The case had been decided against
the prosecution, the jury, after not more
than half an hours absence, bringing in
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.
81 did not look to see you SO little
annoyed by the result of this trial, +" said
the physician to his friend. 'eYou.
seemed flushed and weary, but there was
an expression of relief upon your fea-
lures, 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 1 was relieved. Facts had
come to my knowledge, in the
course of the investigation, which made
me believe the accused innocent. I was
morally certain of it, though the evi-
dence was strong against him, and 1
trembled lest the jury should bring in
verdict OF guilty, as they might. very
well have done, had they alone consid-
cred the facts sworn to, and left out of
account the mans previous good charac-
ter, and the slight provocation, distant
IN time and apparently forgotten, which
only could be adduced as motive. oil
course, you will not mention this. The
man is acquitted, and trust that the
whole affair will soon be forgotten save
by the actors in it."
81 certainly shall not mention il, since
you desire me not, said the doctor:
"but your statement accounts to me for
what have been looking at as lack of
your usual spirit in concluding the pros
ecution. I, myself, had no doubt of the
mans guilt until the very last; but 1
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 with suf-
fcient zeal the ends of justice. 1t is
sometimes difficult, in my profession, to
reconcile conscience and a desire for
popular approval. But 1 see you are
laughing at my unwonted strain, he
continued. Perhaps it strikes you as
out of character from the lips of pub
hc prosecutor, and it may be. I will
stop moralizing, and, if you are dis
posed to listen, tell you a story, an in
cident of my profession, as it really oc-
CURED, and which is quite in point"
'Bravo !" cried the doctor, rousing
up from half doze at his proposition.
"Push that bottle nearer-there, that
win do--this is capital. Heidsick, can
you get mo some Of the sameG Ah now
give me cigar and I'm ready"
''You have not forgotten, suppose, :"
began tho lawyer, ''the case Of Roberts,
who, in the year 1885,, was tried for
murder or circumstantial evidence, of
the strongest character, and acquitted
tool You doctors never take much IN