Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-05-27
A Double Plea of Gully.

That Amos Talburton married the Widow
Bamford for her money was firmly believed
by everybody but the widow herself. She,
poor, simple body, never suspected that
day when he took her hand and asked her
TO be his, that he had any other object than
the avowed ones of devoting himself to her
happiness and being father to her little
beys.
The widows fortune was III ready
money, from all care of which her new
husband soon relieved her; and before the
honeymoon was over Mr.. TolburtOn enter
ed on his paternal duties with an energy
which soon convinced Charley and Robbie
Bamford how exceedingly loose had been
their previons notions Of family govern
menT.
Mr. Talburton's system was a combina-
ton of those of Solomon and Mr.. Murd-
stone, proceeding on the theory that the
two most potent instruments for the expul-
sion of folly from the heart of a child are
a rod of correction and the Latin Grammar.
The elder boy, Charley, was a warm
hearted, spirited lad; a boy to go through
fire and water for those he liked, but with
temper that rebelled against injustice Oh
unkindness.
1t soon became a state of constant wal
between Charley and Mr.. Talburton. The
former grew relentless in his punish.
ments.
Charley's mother ventured to intercede
for him once; but her husband read her
such lecture on the sin of inconsiderate
mercy that she never dared renew the sub
ject.
Bobbie who was over year younger
than his brother, got along much better.
There were two reasons for this: he had his
mothers gentle disposition, and secondly,
Charley's transgresslons were so numerous
that they kept Mr.. Talburton's attention
fully occupied.
AT sixteen Charley was strong and well
grown youth. More than once, after re-
ceiving chastisement, he had been heard 70
utter threats; and one day he struck back.
A violent battle ensued, in which he was
badly worsted, but not until he had left
on his adversary's face divers marks of the
fierceness of the contest.
That night the household was aroused by
the report OF pistol. Mr.. Talburton was
found welterlng in his own blood Just out
side his study door, and the servants who
first reached the scene, as they afterwards
! testified, found Robbie standing near the
body holding pistol. The gas light in
the hall way had been turned up and the
wild and dazed expression of the boys face
was plainly visible.
The wounded man died before assistance
cbuld be summoned; and terror and fright
threw poor Mrs. Talburton into a swoon,
which, happily, for a season rendered hel
unconscious.
The police came and searched the prem
| ises. One of the first discoveries made wa:
! that Charley's room was vacant His bee
bore traces of having been recently occu
pied. But Charley himself had not beer
seen since retiring TO bed early in the even
ing.
Robbie when questioned, appeared stu
| pifed. and returned no answers The com
mission of an act of violence seemed 81
/, foreign to his character, that in spite of ap
pearances few were disposed to regard hin
with suspicion. Still it was thought pru
dent to detain him till the tragedy shoulC
be fully cleared up.
Next day the coroner's jury began thei
Investigations In addition to the facts al
ready recounted, it was shown that imme
diately after the murder all the outer doors
and windows were found closed as usual
a fact which pointed to an inmate of the
house as the author of the deed.
A dealer III firearms testified that on tn,
day preceding the murder he had sold th'
pistol, found with one chamber discharged
in Robbie's hand to Charley Bamford.
At this evidence Robbie started up ex
citedly and spoke for the first time.
81 tell you my brother is not guilty." h
exclaimed.
F'Perhaps then, you can tell us VIII
is, said the coroner, dryly.
II ami" the boy answered, with the de
fiant look of one brought to bay.
The case was soon closed, and the jur..
were not long in returning their verdict tina
Amos Talburton had come to his death b.
pistol shot fired by the hand of Rober
Bamford; and the prisoner was immediate
ly committed for trial.
The distracted mother retained me to d
what could for her unfortunate boy; bu
the task looked like hopeless one. T
all my questioning could get but one an
swer.
Robbiepersstedin in asserting his own gull
and the innocence of his brother, whose at
sence he attributed to his having run ava
to escape his step-father's cruelty.
When asked as to his possession OF th
pistol sold to Charley, and the motive c
the crime he fell into his usual silence.
In due time my client was Indicted an
arranged to plead. stepped forward
answer for him, but before could inte
pose the boy himself had spoken.
81 plead guilty." he said, in cleal
firm tone.
'sNo, mol" cried voice that startled a
who heard it; cit is not he, but |, who al
guilty!" and the next moment Charlie
Bamford stood at his brothers side, encil
cling him with bis arm.
"Wss it not who ran awayS" hs wei