News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-05-08

"But I don't like circumstantial evi
dence."
"All evidence is more or less circum
stantial, said he of the forid complex
ion; ''and this man is as clearly guilt,
to my mind as if there had been dozel
witnesses to stand by and see him do tn
deed. That is my opinion, Haywood.
And the oracle disappeared behind it
newspaper.
Feeling glad to discover any topi
that would divert my thoughts from
their gloomy forebodings i addressed
myself to Haywood, the young barrister
with whom had slight acquaintance
'fYou seem to be much interested il
this trial that is going on, 1 said. "May
1 ask if you are engaged upon it %
"No," he answered. "But it is Gu.
rious case. A man, a clerk, dismissed
from his employment, is accused of mur-
dering the cashier of the firm. The evi-
dence against him is entirely circunl-
stantial, but the defense broke down at
the most critical point, and the case GER
tainly locks very black for the prisoner
The train was now Stacking speed, and
there was general rising. arose too.
''Are you going to get out here ?" said
Mr.. Haywood, opening the door as We
glided into the station. "Have you
come down so early on business ?'
"Ye-es," said, wishing to goodness
l knew what the immediate business
was. Nothing very urgent, though
added, half to myself, as got out.
eff you have the time to spare you
had better turn in and hear the end of
the trial." said Haywood. "The court
will be crowded with ladies, no doubt,
but can smuggle you into corner
Not knowing what to do with myselffor
the next two hours, I accepted the offer
with gratitude. 1 was soon seated in an
obscure corner of dingy, ill-lighted, ILL.,
ventilated courthouse, which would
have been ill-smelling, too, had it not
been for the scent waited from the nu-
merous ladies who were present. One of
these, buxom female obstruction, who
ought to have known better, was Just in
front of me and blocked my view with
an enormous bonnet. 1 could not see
the prisoner or his counsel, or even the
clock over his head, at which the people
kept looking eagerly as the hour fixed
for the recommencement of the trial ap-
preached. At last there was stir and
hustle, caused by persons invisible to
me, then a call for silence, and after
few preliminaries the summing up COM
1 listened the more intent1y because I
could see nothing. The clear, cold, tell
ing sentences cut deep into my con-
'ciousness. How distinct and convincing
t all was ! How all those minute facts, |
he mute testimony of footmarks and
he like, arranged and distributed by
hat powerful intellect, grouped them
elves into the damning proof of guilt. |
cared nothing for the prisoner, had no
ersOnal interest in the trial. but my |
lind was wonderfully fascinated by this
ale of horror. At length the weighty
ones ceased and a murmur of relief and
expectation ran round the assembly. At
his moment the woman with the huge
,onnet shifted her seat and obtained
ull view of the prisoner. / started in
Where had 1 seen that face
before?
The jury returned after short alb
sence; the verdict was guilty, accom-
panied with recommendation to mercy.
gain the judges solemn tones sounded
through the court, again they ceased.
There was dead silence. sprang to
nv feet as if impelled to do so by some
unseen power, and looked steadily at the |
prisoner. His face was averted from me |
or the moment, but the looks of the |
people showed that he was about to
speak. Slowely he turned round and, |
IN a voice whose deep, earnest tones |
could be heard all over the assembly, he |
said
''There lives but one man who can
prove me innocent-and there he |
stands"
With white face and outstretched arm |
he pointed-at me. l gazed at him with |
a sudden flash of recognition. 1t was
the man 1 had seen under the lamp. |
And, by strange coincidence, at this
the court clock struck twelve.
The plea that had been set up by the
defense was a alibi. But there was a
space of some two hours that could not |
be accounted for, and the theory of the
was that the crime had been |
committed during that time. My evil
1ence supplied the missing link; for the
place in which had seen the man was
so far distant from the scene of the mur-
Ter that it was impossible for him to
nave been anywhere near at the time of
is commission.
And the dream? Only coincidence,
you will say, perhaps, or fit of indi-
yestion, or my timber contract. Never
.heless, as have told it you, so it hap
oened. Explain it away who can.