The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-12-25

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oath, but simply 10 relate the events of thai
memorable night, aud his own share in
them.
1t was bold device, for by tie law there
the criminal may hot testify in his own de-
fense. As Mr.. Randolph made the appeal,
the tears welled to his eyes, and he was
known to be mad little used 10 that kind
of weakness, and too proud to feign 1t,
"Gentlemen: don't hang an innocent man
without chance. lie Is here alone and at
ybtrmercy HIS wife has deserted him.
l prorhise that he will tell you startling
story. don't ASK you 10 consider il in your
verdict; but let him. spoaR to set himself
right before bis fellosS.beinEs. have been
forty years at tho Bar, and never before had
case like this"
A subdued constellation f5ilovsed. Ex.
Governor Dudley, the prosecutor; had talk
with the judge, who was known to be just
man but conservative; the foreman Of the
jury was spoken to. Old Randolph sturd-
ly held TO his point, the forlorn hope, and
Ut last, to the general relief, Dudley was seen
to throw out his hands, shrug his shoulders
and stroll to his ehait.
Mr.. Randolph, with glorious 5iiniile and
a profound sigh, as ifa mountain had been
lifted from his heart, said:
"Foster go upon the stand. We will not
swear you, but you may relate your story"
1t was indeed a sensational and dramatic
trial. It was ahefward said that nothing
but Fosters helpless condition, and his de-
sertion BY his wife, procured him the start
ling privilege now reluctantly accorded.
Pale as death, and with Tie manacies on
his limbs, the wretched man was assisted 10
the stand, and amid the profound stiffness,
he said
Gentlemen, the murdered woman was
my true and lawful wife,"
A coughing and shufIling Of feet followed,
and tho crier's shout of:
"0rderl Order therep
awe were married years ago, when we
were little more than boy and girl" Foster
went on. "one Sunday afternoon we went
twenty miles to a revival at Silver Spring.
Mollie Croxton was wild girl, and, some
how, we were both reckless that day, and,
for devilment, proposed that we should get
the preacher to marry us, and keep it a Sc
cret. The notion pleased her, and sure
enough, after the service was over, and the
preacher was getting ready 10 go home with
some of the congregation to supper, called
him aside and gave him two dollars to make
me and Mollie man and wife.
He, poor man, thought 10 was all right,
and, being glad euough TO make the money,
had US upebefcgs lim and pronounced the
words binding US taeether and from that
Sunday aftsamoopTto to this minute, he has
never seen us'nor we him.
"Well, going home, the unfortunate girl
and l both began to realize what we had
done. We were both afraid of our folks,and,
after a short talk together, we made mu.
tual promise to forever keep our secret.
Time wore on, and no one found II out,
and never felt any difference till fell in
love with Matte VicEers; and it was just
about the same time that Joe Williams be-
gan to court Mollie Croxtouj although /
didn't know it then. ...-..
Gentlemen, was as deep in love as a
man can be, and for the first time L realized
the predicament was in. wanted to
marry Mattiej and had her folks Consent,
and yet could not do IT without committing
a crime. knew that Mollie Croxton was
a girl that would not hesitate at anything,
and could not tell how she would act, and
was even afraid to see her and mention
the subject. Still, was impatien.j and
wrote her letter.
" That was my ruin. She sent word back
that she wished to have a talk with tIe.
went at once and she told me that she was
just as anxious to marry Joe williams as
was to marry Matte Vickers; and then and
there we made fresh agreement to carry
both our wishes out, and neither to in any
way TO interfere with the other. But all the
while she had the letter of mine, which
never thought of, but 1t has hung over mc
ever since and kept me in her power.
"On Christmas Eve received her note
making the apPointmentand was to have
seen her for the last time. believe she wal
going 20 take the stage at 0tters, and so ge
to the railroad, and leave this part of th'
world forever Her husband had treated
her cruelty, gentlemen and you all know
that he was bad man.
"'well, that night as passed her hous'
at Brandy Fork, between nine and ten, ]
) saw there was no light in the window. I
flashed across me that here was chance
might never have again to get possession o
the letter, which had cost me so much peac,
: of mind. She always kept it hid in hei
room. So entered by the window, anc
made search whore thoGeht it was like
ly to be, and at last found it aud burned I
with match that very minute.
al was free now, and, with light hear
!eaped from the window, and got on my
horse, and sot off for Dick DoYle's. had
promised his wife in the morning TO sit uI
with him, but had forgotten about it till il
became necessary to make some excuse for
my going ont that night, after Sam White
head brought mo the note from Mrs Will
lams.
al arrived at Mrs. Doyle's about mid
night, just as she was winding the clock and
from the hour Of my leaving home to that,l
had neither seen nor spoken with the un-
fortunate creature of whose death am ac-
eused."
He bowed huustiy to court and jury, and
turned, and was about 70 hobble down from
the stand.
At that instant there rang through the
room the piercing cry of" Tom I" It thrill
ed every one, and people looked at each
other with awe-stricken faces.
Suddenly great movement end oonfu-
sion followed. The judge was seen to rise
and rap sternly on his desk, looking an
xiously across the bobbing heads, and sharp
and angry rose the crier's shout Of "silenoe." E"
Jurymen and lawyers stood on their feet,
4 a