Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-23

fan opportunity TO go to L., and. per
haps the very fact Of going wonld put
me right. There were two fast trains
to L. in the morning, but decided to
90 by the first, regardless of the fact
that | should have some hours to wait.
So found myself shor ly in lirst-class
compartment, speeding away towar d
my destination.
The carriage was full. Pipes ex-
hailed their fragra nee. new wspapers were
turned and fallened, and there was
that leisurely KIND OF morning conyer
saiion that prevails among men going
off by an early train to their days
work. 1 soon discovered that had
fallen among party of barrlsters, and
their chief topic was peculiar interest
Ing case which was 10 be finished to-day
at the L. assizes.
He must sum up against the prison
ers,' said a gentleman with fat, aorid
face, aud long sandy whiskers, who
wore a light overcOat and shepherd s
plaid ttowser's, The defense was
complete failure, and deserved to be-
1T was certainly rather audacious,'
returned clean-shaved young man
with double eye-glass. who sat op.
posite me. But l don't like circnm-
stautial evidence
All evidence Is more or less circum-
stanlial,' answered he of the hOrid COM
p,ex;on; and this man is as clearly
guilty TO my mind as if there had been
dozen witnesses to stand by and see
r'm do the deed. That's my opinion,
Haywood and the oracle disappeared
behind lis newspaper.
Feeling glad to discover any topic
that would divert my thoughts TT m
gloomy forbodlngs, 1 addressed myself
to Haywood, the young barrisler, with
whom had a slight acquaintance:
You seem much interts.elln this
trial that is going on sad. May l
ask if you are engaged upon it?'
No. he answered. Bat it is a Gu
rioUs case. A man. clerk dismissed
from his employment, is accused oI
numbering the cashier Of the Rrm. The
evidence against him is entirely circum
stantial; but the defense broke down
at the most critical point, and the case
certainly looks black for the prisoner.
The tram Mas now stacking speed,
and there was a genera! rising. l rose
TOO.
Are you going 10 get out here 4"
said Mr.. Haywood, opening the door as
we glded into the station. Have you
come down so early on business"
'Ye-es,' l said, wishing TO goodness
know what the immediate business
was. Nothing very urgent, though,
added. halt to myself, as got out.
If you have the time TO spare, you
had better turn in aud hear the rest OF
the trial. said Haywood. The court
room will be crowded with ladies no
doubt, but can smuggle you into a
corner.'
Not knowing what 20 d. with myself
for the next two hours, accepted the
offer with gratitude. [ was soon scat
ed in an obscure corner Of dingy, i.l'
lighted, ill-ventilated court house, which
would have been lll-smelling, too, had
it not been for the scent waited from
the numerous ladies who were present.
One of these, buxom female obstruc-
ton who ought to have known better
was Just in front of me. and blocked my
view With an enormous bonnet. l
could not see the prisoner or bis couA-
sci, or even the clock over his head. at
" hch the people kept looking at eager
ly as the hour fixed for the recommence-
ment of the trial approached.
At last there was a stir and hustle
caused by persons INVISIBLE 10 me, then
a call for silence, and, after few pre-
liminaries, the summiug-up commenc-
ed.
l listened the more intently because
I could see nothing. The clear, cold
telling sentences cut deeply iutO my
consciousness. How distinct and con-
vincing it all was! How all those MI
mute facts, the mute testimony OF foo.'
marks and tie like, arranged aud di.-
tributed BY that pos eriul intellect,
grouped themselves mo the damning
proof of guilt!
cared nothing for the prisoner, had
no personal interest in the prison.
but my mind was wonderfully fIsci-
mated by this tale of horror. a length
the welghty tones ceased. and mur-
nur Of relief aud expectation ran round
the assembly. At this moment III.
woman with the hugh bonnet SHIFTED
seat, and l obtained a fall view Of ihe
prisoner. | slarted involuniarly
Where had | seen iha' iIce bsfjrc'
The jury returned after a short ab-
seuce; the verdict was gIl.g, ac;)n-
panied by recommendation 10 me'cy.
Again the judges solemn tones sonnl-
ed through the court, again they ceaS-
ed.
There was deal silence. | sprung
to nv feet as ifimpelled to do 50 by
some unseen power, aud loodly steadily
at the prisoner. His face was averted
from me for the moment, but the looks
OF the people showed me that he vas
about to speak. Slowly he turnet
round, and in voice whose dc ;p, ear
nest tones could be heard all over th'
assembly, he said {: