The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-04-16

strange infatuations. She is sen,
slble girl, in whose judgment have
unbounded confidence; but her
friendship for Miss Bramlett has
caused her heart to get the upper
hand of her brain. She thinks she
kaows that her friend is innocent.
but what does she know about the
rules Of evidence? She thinks ev-
cry thing that she hears, can be Of
Ifered as proof"
Il imagine, sir, that you will find
that Lottie is better posted as to
the rules of evidence than you
think she is. She has been reading
MIR. Greenleaf's treatise on evidence
also Mr.. Starkie's and many others
She seems to comprehend and
grasp the meaning as we'll as an ex-
perlenced lawyer would. She says
she will furnish evidence to clear
Miss bramlett, and to convict the
real criminal"
"Ah! Demar, that is the strangest
mystery that has ever come under
nay observation. If she knew that
Miss Bramlett was innocent, why
should she let her remain IN jail,
when she could have gotten her
out with 'HABEAs CORPUS No,
Demar, if you build your hopes on
that foundation, you will meet with
nothing but defeat and diSappoint-
:. =. 1t."
The reasons, which Lottie gives
for Withholding the proof, appear to
me to be good. She says that she
is waiting to collect evidence suffi
cient to convict the guilty one; and
that this is done at the request OF
Miss Bramlett."
"Yery welB Demar, l see that
you are determined to pin your
faith to Lottie's skirts. The truth
of it is, love has got the upper hand
OF your judgment, while Lottie is
carried away by her affection for
Miss Bramlett. | admire those who
stick to their friends, but we ought
to be very cautious In selecting
them. Next week the supreme
court will take up the case, and
then anew trial will be granted
certain, and you and Lotie shall
have a fair chance to establish the
defendants innocence if you can"
When | left the iron lawyer, |
was chilled to the very marrow of
my bones by the GOODNESS of his
manner. About eight days alter
my arrival at home, | was called
from Lottie's side (where most of
my time was being spent, to assist
Doctor Dodson in performing diff
fcult surgical operation on one Of
his patients. In fact, | performed
the operation myself under Doctor
Dodson'S advice and assistance"
"Ah, ba! my boy" said the old
Doctor, when the delicate job was
finished, "you are an excellent sur.
geon, SO you are. am proud of
you-So | am. You will do to tie
to; ah, ha! that you will. Lottie
need not be afraid to hitch on to
you, my boy; no indeed, you will
make a living for her; yes, yes, ah,
ha! she wont starve by marrying
you. You must remain with this
patient day and night, until all dan
ger is over. All, ha! my boy, stick
to it like a leach; pll relieve you
day alter tomorrow"
BY this means | was kept away
from LOttie two days and nights,
much against my wish; but | stood
10 my post until | was relieved on
The third morning by Doctor bod
son. | hurried to Mr.. Rockland's
residence and met his wife at the
loor.
"How is LottieS" l hurriedly en-
luired as | entered.the house.
"Improving rapidly" said she;
though | don't think she is quite as
prudent as she ought to be-"
"Can | see her now, Mrs. Rock.
and|
"No, Edward, she is asleep now,
believe; but come into break.
asst, and then you can see her."
| obeyed reluctantly, because l
lid not feel like eating. AS soon
IS breakfast was over Mrs. Rock
and went into Lottle's room to In
orm her that was waiting to see
er.
"She will receive you, Edward,"l
aid the kind lady, as she came into
he parlor where | was waiting.
''She bade me tell you to come
n."
The door of Lottie's room was half
pen when | entered; and the bed,
I