The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-02-09

strong iron door. Into this place was
conducted, and as the key was turned,
and the shades Of evening shut out the
| day, all light and hope seemed to leave
me. I passed a dreadful night of soil
tude, suspense and forebodings.
Morning came at last. knew that
my father was expected in the early
train, and that Nathan would at once in
form him of all that had happened, and
1 listened with strained ears for his foot
| steps. But he did not come.
Early in the afternoon my prison door
was opened, and was conducted to Es-
quire Hammond's office. The room was
full, and my eyes first rested on Lucy
Robinson, waiting to accuse me. Her
arm was in sling, and her face was dark
and wrathful. Her evidence against me
was strong and conclusive, and visibly
| affected her hearers.
Nathan wns next questione /, and tes-
titled stoutly to my innocence. He was
certain that 1 supposed my gun was un-
loaded, for was just making prepara-
| tions to load it when the woman appear
ed. And he repeated the words that
had passed between us about it before
Lucy oame in sight.
DIR. Hall then produced the ball he
had extracted from the woman's arm,
and they said that it fitted my gun e1-
actly.
My turn came next. felt the terri
BILE weight of the evidence against me.
L had to meet the grave charge of intent
to murder. I we'll knew that Esquire
Hammond was not my friend. In my
earlier boyhood he once saw me on his
fence picking a few pears from his tree,
and had since then always regarded me
with suspicion. / was indeed in net
of difficulties; but the very distress of
the moment collected and strengthened
my faculties, and gave me desperate
fiuency of speech.
My defence in substance, of course,
was that had not thought Of injuring
Lucy Robinson. My gun was not load
ed when I pointed it at her. Ihad been
punished once in consequence of her
false accusation, and following momen-
tary impulse to tease, I had tried to
frighten her, and my guAewent off only
when Nathan accidentally ran against
me. testified further that I possessed
only powder and shot, and that I did
fnot know where the ball came from, nor
who had loaded my gun with it.
Esquire Hammond listened with mark.
ed attention, aud I was hopeful that I
had made favorable impression. He
then cross examined me as follows:
"Where is your father p
"He is in Rhode Island"
When did he go2"
ebay before yesterday"
"Does he approve of boys of your
age using firearms2"
Yes, sir, if carefully handled" I
boldly replied.
elbow happened it that you were out
hunting, instead of being in school ~
Tne judges eyes were fixed penetrat-
ingly on me.
Mr.. Lowe excused me-" answered.
cat either of your parents requesti"
My fathers"
"Did your father see Mr.. Lowe, and
request leave of absence for your"
"No, SIR"
"How did Mr.. Lowe know of his
wishes p
"I took note"
From your fatherf
Yes-sir," hesitatingly.
"Did he write the note p
At this question my heart began to
beat violently, and the blood mounted
higher and higher, till knew that my
face must be bright scarlet.
"Did your father write the note 7"
questioned Esquire Hammond, authori-
tatively.
Yes-I believe so-yes-I-saw
him."
Whore were you when he wrote it2"
chin the library" faltered out,
hardly conscious of what was saying.
Esquire Hammond put his hand in
his pocket, and drew out folded paper
and opened it. recognized it at once,
and my knees began to knock one
against the other, for it was the note /
had presented to Mr.. Lowe.
els this the note you gave to Mr..
Lowei" he continued, holding it out to
me.
eyes, sir.
"Mr. Lowe tells me-" continued Es-
quire Hammond, "that he excused You
from attending school because of this
written request from your father. When
did your father write it7
"Just before I went to school yester-
day morning." I faltered, beginning to
forget what was about.
=" You say" said Esquire Hammond.
sternly, "that he has been in Rhode
Island since day before yesterday, and
yet you saw him write this yesterday
morning. Now which Of these state
ments is true, and which is false 2"
I made no reply. My wits complete
ly deserted me. I had condemned my
self.
Esquire Hammond read the note
aloud, and long and hearty laugh, as
he endeo with "Hon. Asa Cooper" "
burst from the people who were present
| burst into tears. The wrong act 1
had committed in counterfeiting fathers
writing, was strong witness against
me, and had destroyed all confidence in
my statements. read in Esquire Ham