Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-09-07

him if he had balanced his
cash on Saturday. His face was
slightly flushed, and he said that he
had balanced the cash-book, but that
his cash was short and he did not stop
TO see what the trouble was. He said
it was short S., 900 as he supposed, but
that he expected careful examination
on Monday would show where the
mistake was. Then followed an ex-
animation and denomination, and
still another trial at finding the lost
money. All attempts were fruitlcss,
and an expert was employed. The
expert corroborated the other trials,
and reported to the board that there
could be no doubt about it that John
Earnest was positively short in his
cash to the amount of So, 600. The
matter was placed in the hands of de-
tectives, and John was arrested. 1t
was discovered that soon after the
money was missed John paid off a
mortgage on his mothers house, and
that fact gave the detectives--as they
thought direct clew to his guilt.
When John was arrested his bonds
men came forward and offered to make
good the loss, but John positively de
clined and refused to allow that 10 be
done. He declared his innocence,
and said he could prove where the
money came from to pay off the mort
gage. He would rather suffer impris-
onment and trial than to have his
bondsmen pay for what he had not
stolen, and thereby be considered a
thief. He demanded trial This is
probably his last day i'll court, and |
see no chance whatever for the poor
boy to escape the full penalty of the
law. | admit being greatly in doubt
about his guilt, and it will be ter
rible blow upon me to see John Earn
est taken to prison. 1t would be al
most as hard as to see my own child
taken there" And with these words
the old gentleman tremblingly shook
his white locks and wiped his moist
ened eyes.
We were now at the Court house
steps, and slowly assembled to the
commodious Courtroom. An i'm
mense throng had gathered around
the building, and when we entered
the Courtroom we found 1t complete
ly packed, and the doors guarded to
prevent further ingress of the crowd.
My companion passed me in, and led
the way down the aisle to a seat in
the space reserved for counsel and
witnesses A few minutes later the
prisoner came in under escort OF a
Deputy Sheriff. The face was natur-
al, and was the one | had expected to
see at the counter when | went to
get my check cashed. The prisoner
looked pale, however, from the severe
trouble he had evidently been passing
through. But his clear skin, soft, CLOS
sy, dark hair, bright eyes and face
beaming with intelligence and good
nature all helped 20 inspire his friends
with confidence in his innocence 1t
was IA picture for an artist as every
eye was turned toward the smooth
faced young prisoner. The old gen
tleman leaned over to me and III a
whisper said, us the tears came to his
eyes: Isn't it Il Sorrowful picture!
Isn't he the type of noble man! And
my poor daughter-she was deeply in
love with him. Wouldn't have had
it happen for half I'm worth. "
Before / could ask any question,
though | was now more thoroughly
than before awakened in the case,
the Judge took his seat the jury were
escorted to their box, and the Court
was called to order Just then a
small boy came tiptoeing through the
crowd and beckoned to the Deputy
Sheriff | heard him say. Here's
mrSSapc for Mr. Earnest
The telegram was placed in the
prisoners hands He nervously open
ed the wrapper, read it, and passed it
to his counsel The attorney for the
State had just arisen, and asked to re
call the expert who had examined the
booke. The request was granted. A
series of what seemed to me unim-
portant questions were asked and an
swered, The witness was excused,
and just as the State Attorney was
about to arise, the counsel for the
prisoner sprang to his feet and ad-
dressed the Court:
MAY it please your Honor, | hold
in my hand material testimony in
this case. 1t is Il telegram from an
important witness, who will be here
to morrow to testify in the prisoners
behalf. | desire to ask your Homer
for stay of proceedings until the
witness arrives. If there be no objec-
ton | shall be thankful for the priv
legc of reading the telegram
The Judge informed the attorney
that he could first show the paper to
the attorney for the State, and if he
did not object it could then be read.
This was done; consent was given,
and the telegram. dated at St. Louis.
was read, as follows:
John EARNEST. Linton: Delayed
by accidents Will be there to-mor-
row To prove your innocence, aud
corroborate your statement of my
bcqucst. Take courage; all shall be
we'll
PETER PORTER
After the telegram had been read
the State Attorney arose and address
ed the Court:
II see no reason, Your Honor, why
this trial should be delayed upon the
strength of this telegram. There is
no evidence to show that it is gen
uine, and if that point be admitted
evidence to show that the testimony
to be thus secured will establish the
innocence of the prisoner. Even
though 1t be proved that the author
of the telegram is the uncle of the
prisoner. rs is alleged, and that he
will be able to satisfactorily prove
how the prisoner came with the mon
ey To pay off the mortgage, that will
remove only one of the strong clrcum-
stances which go to prove his guilt.
There are other circumstances, as
Your Honor is aware, upon which he
may bc convicted. trust, Your Hon
or. that this shall not be deemed of
sufficient Importance to grant a post
poucment To this case,
The able counsel for the prisoner
then followed with an eloquent arge-
ment in favor of Il poStponement.
While he was talking a beautiful
young lady entered the courtroom.
She was at once the observed of all
observers, and an almost deathlike
silence stole over the immense audi
ence as she carefully. though evident
ly under great excitement, followed
an officer of the Court until they
reached the railing within which sat
the counsel and witnesses.
As soon as the young ladyS pres
ence was observed by my elderly
companion, he arose quickly and
FASTENED toward her, showing signs