Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-09-10

have been one OF my stolen guineas given
back by mistake by this drunken wait
or Of yours, instead Of the guinea handed to
him by yourself DO you think he is asleepl'
Sure TO be asleep, sir--in his condition
"Do you obi ct, Mr.. Brunell after what
you have told me, to setting this matter at
rest by searching the mans clothes p
The landlord hesitated at seems hard
on Jennings" he said, Iii we prove to have
been suspicious Of him without a cause. Can
you speak positively, sir to the mark which
you put on your money p
The traveller declared that he could swear
TO his mark Mr. Brunell yielded. The two
went up together to the walters room.
Jennings was fast asleep. At the very out.
set Of the search they found the stolen bag Of
money in his pocket The guineas nineteen
in number-hsd a mark on each ono Of them,
and the mark the traveller identified. After
this discovery there was but one course TO
take. The walters protestatiOns OF innocence
when they woke him and accused him Of the
robbery were words fatty contradicted 10y
facts. He was charged before magistrate
with the theft Of the money and, as matter
of course was committed for trial.
The crcu instances we're 80 strongly against
him that his own friends recommended Jen-
nings to plead gui ty and appeal to the mercy
Of the court. He refused to follow their ad
vice aud he was bravely encouraged to per.
sist IN that decision by the poor girl, who be-
leved in his innocence with her whole heart.
At that dreadful crisis in her life she secured
the best legal assistance, and took from her
little dowry the money that paid the expen.
ses.
At the next assizss the case was tried The
proceedings before the Judge were a repeti-
ton (at great length and with more solemn
ity) Of the proceedings before the magistrate
No skill 10 cross examination could shake the
direct statements OF the witnesses. The evil
dence WAS made absolutely complete by the
appearance Of the tradesman TO whom Mr..
Brunell had paid the marked guinea. The
coin go marked) was a curiosity the man
had kept it and now produced it in court
The judge summed up, finding literally moth
ing that he could say, az an honest man, in
favor Of the prisoner. The jury returned a
verdict OF guilty, sfter a consultation which
was a mere matter Of form. Clearer circum-
stantial evidence of guilt had never been pro-
duced in the opinion of every person but
one-who was present at the trial. The sem
tenoe on Jennings for highway robbery was,
by the laws OF those days, death on the scat
fold.
Friends were found to help Esther in the
last effort that the faithful creature could now
make-the attempt to obtain a communication
interview with the Home Secretary, and her
petition was presented to the King. Here,
again, the indsputable evidence forbade the
| exercise of mercy Esther's betrothed hus.
| band was hanged at Hull. His last words de
| clared his innocence the rope around
| his neck.
Before a year had passed the one poor
consolation that she could hope for in
this world found Esther in her misery. The
proof that Jennings had died a martyr to the
falibility Of human justice was made public
| by the confession Of guilty man. Another
criminal trial took place at the assizes. The
landlord of an inn was found guilty Of having
stolen the property OF person staying in his
house. It was stated in evidence that this
was not his first offence. He had been hab-
itually a robber on the highway, and his name
| was Brunell.
The wretch confessed that he was the mask
ed hghwayman who had stolen the bag OF
gu meas. Riding by nearer way than was
known TO the traveller, he had reached the
inn first. There he found person in trade
| waiting by appointment for the settlement OF
bill. Not having enough money of his
own about him to pay the whole amount,
| Brunell had made use Of one OF the stolen
guineas, and had only heard the traveller de-
| clare that his money was marked after the
tradesman had left the house. To ask for
| the return of the fatal guinea was more than
he dared to attempt. But one other aterns.
tive presented itself. The mercless villain
insured his own safety by the sacrifice of an
| innocent man.
After the time when the sea. captain had
| paid his visit at Mrs. Anderkin's house, Esth
er's position became subject to certain
changes. One little domestic privilege fol
lowed another, so gradually and so modestly
that the housekeeper found herself loved
and honored member Of the family, without
being able TO trace by what succession Of
events she had risen to the new place tina
she occupied. The secret confded to the
two ladies had been strictly preserved; Esth
err never even suspected that they knew thu
deplorable story of her lovers death. Hei
life, after what she had suffered, was no
prolonged to a great age. She ded-peace
fully unconscious of the terrors of death. He
last words were spoken with a smile. Sh,
looked at the loving friends assembled rounC
her bed and said to them, my dear one il
waiting for me. Good-by. IouHS Cam
| pdniOn.