The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-01

possible punishment.
Then jamie stood boldly up in his cell,
aud raising bis right hand toward heaven
ho said as
"Mr. Carnau, they can hang me II they
want to- but | am entirely innocent Of this
charge, and am willing TO die with those
words on my lips"
The lawyer looked steadily in Jamie's
eyes for moment, and be must have seen
truth written there, for he took his hand
and said.
u believe you, Riley, and will defend
you Now tell me where you were last
Sunday night
"Well, said Jamie, II spent the eve
ming at friends house in the northern
part Of the village. returned home be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock
"And you passed the Presbyterian
church on your wnyY"
81 did
"Did you see any one in that Vieinity2"
"Yes, sir
. "Who?n
81 cannot answer that question, Mr..
Carnau."
Then tho lawyer sat aud thought for
while, and without another word he left
the cell and went straight to his Office; nor
did jamie see him again until the day Of
his triSl.
But he was not idle in the meantime,
aud when | called on him once he told
me to be Of good cheer; that he believed
my son innocent and hoped TO clear him.
Maggie Ryan grew palOr aud paler day
by day, and IL was little sleep she got at
nights. When the thoSghtless villagers
talked Of Jamie's guilt, her cheeks would
turn red, and her eyes fash bright as the
stars 10 heaven.
The trial came of in two weeks-sad,
long weeks they were to me; but prayed
for strength, and | think the Lord heard
my prayer and gave me power to bear my
cross
A great crowd there was in the court.
room when the day came.
jamie was led in by the constable, and
took his seat in the prisoners box as calm
and collected as though he had been sit
ting by the fireplace at home.
Maggie and had seat together, but
we scarcely spoke word during the pre-,
paration for the trial. We thought il
would occupy the whole day, but it came
TO an unexpected termination.
Joseph MilWard was the first witnes.
called. He told the same story that ht
had at JAMES former examination.
remember the scene well.
The district attorney had asked the
questions, aud having finished, he said
"That win do, sir
Milward was about TO leave the witnes,
stand, when Mr.. Carnan spoke up:
awe will cToss-examine the witness"
Oh, what cross-examination that was
and what an excitement there was in the
court.
The old judge dropped his spsc,acles
the district attorney looked blank, the jury
scratched their heads, and the vast crowd
kept as still as mice, that they might heal
every word.
Mr.. Carnan had ferreled out the wholS
case and, from the mouth Of the same wit
ness, he proved that Joseph Milward auC
his companion were the guilty parties, ant
that they had been aided by many of tn,
young men Of the village, and before ht
had finished the district attorney Jumped
up and said
"May il please the court we throw uT
the case.
Then Jamie was discharged forthwith
and the people gathered round to shake
hands with him; but he hastened away
from them aud found Maggie aud me, and
together we went to the cottage.
| can't tell you all that followed; but
our grateful hearts joined in thanksgiving
TO heaven for his deliyeranec.
Jamie could explain everything now
He had seen Milward and Butler coming
from the vestry Of the church on the night
Of the FIRE, and the smell Of smoke, and
their excited manner told him plainly what
their errand had been.
1t was this terrible knowledge that had
made him SO nervous when he returned
home. lie doubted whether TO diyulge
the secret or not. He came to tho con.
elusion Monday night to make it public;
but Milward and Butler feared this, had
anticipated him, and by pc1uring them.
selves bad secured Jamies arrest. Then
the lad saw how useless it would be to
make charge against his accuscrs, and
50 he resolved to let justice work out her
own history.
Six months later jamie and Maggie
were married, and Lawyer Garuan was at
the wedding, and he gave to Jamie re.
eeiPted bill for his services, and to Maggie
the finest dress you ever beheld.
Jamie still works 10 the factory, but to
this day no one has seen Milward and
Butler ia our neighborhood. It's 10 Cal.
ifornia there living, I'm told.