Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-06-05

ptdJtu cuIT0dlleS, Llldb JucEc WAS uO
time to be lost in the matter, /, disgust
ed with her heartlessness, got the cob
out of the shed, and away l went to a
cottage on beyond. about mile off, and
raped them up. The woman, work
mans wife, got up at once and came to
take the child and lay the body cut, and
| 10 e back. Unfortunately, in my
haste, had left on the table-in the
hut, my lOrd-a little case l carry con-
tanning drugs We very often want,
among them laudanum, which l had to
use. AS / came by the window, from
the shed, saw the old witch STOPPING
by the child, and in her hand bottle.
The truth flashed on me, and / rushed
inside and knocked her over. The bot
tie was my Own-the laudanum one
and the cork was out, was just in
time, for the contents instead of going
down the child'S throat-when it would
have died instantly-went over me, scat
tered as l sent her flying"
"a most providential circumstance, !"
said his lOrGship. "The wickedness Of
some people is perfectly frightfuL"
ut is my lord. well" continued the
Doctor, "when the old hag picked her.
self up out of the corner where had
sent her, / told her my mind as to her
villainy, pretty plainly; and she whined
out something about going to wet the
poor things mouth to comfort it But
1 knew better; it was too palpable. Be
sides, she knew it was laudanum, and
must have known it would kill. 1t was
decided case of attempted murder, and
so told her. With that the woman
came, and she was as good soul as need
be; but she said that as she had to go to
work at seven o'clock. and her neigh
bOrs, too, and her husband went at six,
she would have to leave there at five, to
light the fire, and to call him up. So,
As there was no chance in that direction,
l decided, until we could see what could
be done, and lest the child's life should be
sacrificed, that 1 would have it well
wrapped up in flannel its mothers pet
ticoat-and take it myself to the
work-house. But, after we had got it
swaddled up comfortably, l remembered
that there was no case in the house just
then, no sucking mother. A friend of
mine, Mr.. Grant, has the care of it, my
lord, that and some parishes; and he
had that day mentioned the fact to me
as an unusual occurrence. 1t would,
therefore, be better, l thought, for the
time being, were to take it to the one
who had Just lost her Own-the one j
came from, an old servant of our family
when we lived elsewhere. Added to
which it was five miles to the work
house, and less than three to her; and
even in that short distance it was risky
business, as the cold might kill the
child. Still it was chance for it, and
slight as that chance was, it seemed tC
me, my lord, that it was better to take il
| than to risk the child being again left
with that horrible old woman"
Decidedly" said the Judge. you
acted wisely, Sir, and, may say, nobly
Many would have left it"
"Then they would not have done theil
duty" said the Doctor. Leaving the
woman there to see to things, and pay
ing her for her trouble, told the old one
that would, in the morning, make the
necessary arrangements with the parish
authorities for the removal of the body
and then," continued the Doctor, 81
started, with the child under my cloak
wrapped up, and warm; my one arm
around it, and my other free, and with &
shake of the rein, away l went, full gal
lop, back up the hill again for the house
in the forest, the one had come from
my lord, where the child lay dead"
The total silence that had prevailed ii
the court while the Doctor made hi
statement was here again broken by his
lOrdship, II see," said he; "and did you
notice anything on the hill as you wen
up itT
"No, my lord" was the reply, moth
ing"
aNor heard anything?"
"a shot, my lord; certainly heard
shot. Some fellow out there poaching
but took no heed of it."
as it such a common thing. then
in your neighbOrhOOd for shots. to be
heard at night?"
"Very common, my lord; so much 81
that 1 always ride with tight reiI
when am out after dark; and l theI
had the cob well in hand"
For fear he might shy-for safety's
sake?'
"Yes, my lord; and he SHE'D then;
was nearly half way up the hill when
heard it and was going at good rate
too; and he turned short around with
me, for the shot was near and loud"
"What did you do then?"
%Put the spurs into him, my lord, and
went on at a hand-gallOp."
"Did you say anything? Did you
make any remark or exclamatiOn2 Can
you rememberb"
Eyes, my lord, did. said, Con-
found the stupid foolp for the child
woke up and cried"
As there was buzz in court for
moment, as the people made half audi
BILE comments and looked at each other
"Was that inquired his lordship, "al
you said?"
"I believe so, my lord"
"You have no recollection of any
thing beyond that?"
81 have not, my lord"
SNothing about poor little wretch
30, yes, my lord, I did; for, as the
child cried, thought Of how l had
saved it; and if l could but get il
housed quickly, it might even yet live
"Just think, Doctor" said his lord.
ship, and see if you can give us the exact
words. 1t is important"
After considering for moment OF
two, during which time one might have
heard a pin drop, 81 think" said the
Doctor, at was this, though l could moi
swear it: "Poor little wretchi but it's
chance il we can do it; meaning, my
lord, if we could reach the forest with
out the cold air striking to the child"
The Judge laid down his pen and SAT
back in his chair. 1t was as good as
! over.
There was decided stir in court, and
shutting of feet; great feeling Of re
| lief in the minds of those assembled
causing a change of position; but it was
but mOmentary, as the counsel for the
prisoner at once rose, and said:
al have no questions to ask, my lord.
"But have" observed the counsel for
the prosecution, as he gave his gown a
tug, and got up hastily. Now, Sir" he
began, as he looked tiercely at the wit
ness, 81 wish to ask you one ques-
ton. We have all heard this extra.
ordinary statement of yours, and, OF
| co,1rsa we helieva II. hut will VOu tell