The Osceola times., 1878-08-03

| Btety, anu COnIebScu tuat tuey nhu
tried to argue him cut OF the idea of
his captivity tolely from a loving
desire to relieve him Of Its horrors. De-
ception, ii it had been longer possible,
she added, was no longer necessary, for
they had received an intimation that the
day for his trial had been iset and was
drawing near, and he must prepare to
face his judges with all The recourses Of
his mind. The old man was delighted
/ that she had at last abandoned the de
ception which had prev& &nted her from
receiving his confidence, and poured out
to her his story, his hopes and fears
Next day she brought him news that he
was to have counsel with whom he might
communicate freely, privilege that had
been refused TO the other prisoners
This was good omen, and the old mans
heart was perceptibly lighter than II had
been for years. Next day the advocate
and another lawyer visited the prisoner,
the former parsonage being represented
by the clerk of the criminal court of
Senenais, a young lawyer OF wit and
learning, and an intimate friend Of the
Questions, and the latter by a young law
student. They were introduced by the
name of distinguished members Of the
Partisan bar, with whose fame Preville
was acquainted, though he had never
met them. To his counsel he told his
story at length. They took different
views OF his Gaze, which they discussed
with warmth and many citations from
the code. At last they arrived at an
understanding and plan for the defense,
and both agreed that even II their client
were found guilty, capital punishment
could not be inflicted upon him. Mean
while they would draw up and scatter
broadcast a pamphlet, telling his story,
and thus work upon the public mind In
his favor. That night, for the first time
for many months, the old man slept
calmly, the fear of the scafsold, which
had 30 long haunted him, having been
lifted from his mind
Next morning his daughter visited him
with more good news. She had been to
zee the jurors, and found some that were
favorable to him; influence was to be
exerted on other; still others would be
bribed. At the same time the voices OF
harkers were heard without the windows
crying someting in which Preville fancied
he heard his name. Stepping to the
easement, what was his delight to hear
numerous voices calling, "Here's your
iustifcarory memoir Of the good citizen
Previle, the friend OF the people, unjustly
accused" The cries were kept up all
day. He heard people eagerly demand.
ing the memoirs, reading them aloud,
discussing his case, ,avowing his innocence,
The poor old man wept with Joy. Feed
ing his hopes thus ingeniously from day
70 day, his devoted daughter led him on
till the eventful day set Tor the trial had
arrived.
The trial was held in the great public
hall, where the count-bishops Of Beau
vais had for generations dispensed Justice.
Judges were upon the bench, and an
sudience was made up OF the townspeo.
pie, who idolized Mime. Guesdon, and
entered heartily into her beautiful dc.
ceptiop. Otherssurrounded the prisoner
as he was conducted to the place of trial,
bidding him be Of good cheer; that they
were his friends, and that all would be
well. Pale, agitated and trembling, led
by his daughter and his grandson, Pre-.
vile entered the hall, when the
audience broke out into tenn.
pest of cheers and yivas to ex.
press its sympathy with him. The pre-
siding judge sterniy commanded silence,
which was ut last secured, and the trial
was begun in due form. Nothing was
lacking-indictment, testimony, cross.
examinations, speeches, objections ar.
guments. The prisoner was breathless
with anxiety. and over his blind old
face, all wet with tears, coursed after
nations OF hope and fear and emotion.
He wished 70 speak. The judge per-
mitted him. "I guilty of breaking the
laws Of the republic he broke out
excitedly. Gentlemen, II 1 were, what
would the august Empress of Ali Rus
sias sayg If l were,t great Catherine
would take my marble bust, which is
always upon her dressing.table, and have
II dragged through the cutters Of St.
Petersburg" No one laughed, no one
indicated the impropriety of bringing
out an imperial souvenir before a
republican tribunal; on the uontarv,
the judge praised the prisoner for his
able defense the lawyers made their
arguments, the JUICES summed up, and
the jurors retired To consider their vir
dict. During their absence the spec.
tators crowded round PrevilIe to felici-
tate him on the ability OF his lawyers
and the marked partislity the Judge had
shown in his summing up. He, affected
with tears, pressed their friendly hands,
thanked them for the interest they
had taken in him, and pressed
his devoted daughter TO his
bosom. There were many more eyes
than his wet with tears in the crowded
hall.
But the jury comes back; there Is q
great hustle of expectation; the officers
OF the court command silence; there Is
hush the jurors rise and return their
verdict, "Not guilty ~ He is acquit.
ted Hurrah p' breaks from all parts OF
the hall, men and women Chamber over
the benches and struggle to congratu.
late and embrace bin there are cheers,
cries OF joy and happy tears. Preville
Is lifted to chair and borne home
through the garden, where at every step
he Is hailed with scclsmations OF delight.
All Paris surely must have turned out,
and his bearers have to implore the citi-
zens TO make way and not crush them to
death. There are flowers thrown and
cheers given, and blessings are called out
as II from the windows. So they bring
the old man home 10 his family, cured
forever OF the siogulsr hallucination that
had haunted him for two years and
caused him so much mental agony.-IN.
Y. World.
A RocHEsrER wife opened . tele-