The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-15
THE COLONEL'S TALE.

1t was late-after midnight-and as
we got up from the whist table and
gathered around the fire, Col. Thornton
said: IF you men are not too tired,
and don't mind sitting up for another
half hour. think can tell you a good
story"
We protested that we were never
less tired, aud could sit up till morn
ing if necessary. So the Colonel be-
gan:
MY father as you know, was par
son. but he took orders late in life,
after having been fifteen years at the
bar, and the events which | am going
to tell you he. himself, told me as hav-
ing come directly under his eye when
he was a barrister.
''It was at the Monmouth Assizes in
18- that q case was tried which be-
came the talk of the neighborhood and
country for years after. My father
was sitting in the court of the assist
ant Judge, when a note was brought
from friend in the adjoining court,
asking him to come and hear case of
more than usual interest, the facts of
which were these:
''Some time before, a farmers house
near Monmouth had been broken into
and robbed by men disguised and
masked. the farmer murdered and
his servants shockingly ill-treated.
Among other things which were stolen
were two old-fAshioned silver brooches,
curiOusly inlaid with malachite-heir-
looms of the family; and. although
unremitting search was made, and
l,a Af ha o1
made widely known, no trace of the
murderers could be found.
"A month or two after the murder,
however, a police officer, in going
through house in Bristol. noticed a
dissipated looking sailor lying on a
pallet and resting his head on small
bundle He was asked what it con-
tanned, and was told it was only his
kit The officer, not satisfied, opened
the bundle, and almost the first thing
to fall out were two brooches made of
silver and malachite. Struck by their
curious beauty, and wondering how
such a wretched looking fellow could
have become possessed of them, he
suddenly remembered the advertise
ment and description of the stolen ar
ticles.
'How did you come by theseP" he
inquired.
THE sailor replied: BY chance.
When came ashore some time ago,
with plenty of money in my pocket.
his luck. and he offered to sell me
these things, which had belonged to
his mother. ! was pretty flush and
gave him good price for them, al
though they were useless to me. And
that's all there is about it.
"The police officer, still dissatisfied.
took him into custody. He was sent
to Monmouth Jail. the brooches were
identified, and he was committed for
trial at the assiZes on the charge of
theft and murder. And" continued
the Colonel, impressively, "as my ia
ther entered the court this man ~ as
being placed in the dock.
Tall beyond the then average height
of man, and gaunt, with an unkept
beard and evil, yellow eye. and though
evidently suffering from long impris-
he yet presented powerful
and imposing front. The trial had be-
gun and he had just been asked the
usual question: "Are you guilty or
not guilty?' and he answered in hol-
low voice: Not guilty, my Lord.
when the entrance of one of the court
officials with gentleman stopped the
proceedings for while. Aud here
must explain the interruption.
"A few days before, quiet, gentle
manly man, a Captain Forsyth, of Hi.
Majesty's navy, had arrived at tho
chief hotel of the town on a fishing
excursion; but the weather had been
so averse that he was obliged to look
elsewhere for amusement. Turning
to the landlord for information, he
was told of this trial as exciting con-
siderable interest, and so it came to
pass that, as the prisoner took his
place at the bar, Captain Forsyth sent
his card to the Judge, who gladly al
lowed him, as was then the custom.
seat on the bench.
The case proceeded; witnesses were
called to identify the brooches, the
servants swore to the figure of the
prisoner as resembling that of the
murderer; no witnesses were called
for his defense-no one defended him;
everything pointed to his guilt, and the
jury retired to their room. In few
minutes they returned, and amid the
breathless expectation of the crowded
court, the foreman announced their
opinion that the man was guilty.
Directly the word was uttered, the
prisoner. who had been leaning as if
for support against the side of the
dock, raised himself to full height,
stretched out both his arms above his
head, and looking up, exclaimed in a
broken voice. not guilty, not guilty.
"The Judge then asked him. as was
usual. if he had anything to say before
sentence should be pronounced, and
the prisoner cried hoarsely; Not
guilty, my lord, not guilty; before
heaven and man am innocent of this
crime. | never set eyes on the muir
dered man; / did no murder. Oh!
captain, captain'-in his vehemence
he addressed the Judge as if he were
his officer-1 am as innocent of this
crime as the babe unborn He paused.
then suddenly, in. voice choking with
feeling, he exclaimed: Yes. yes. only
one man can save me now; but he can
do it, swear what you may. The Lord
be thanked, that man is here
- DuLL Ol al OuhNa
the court; the feeling of awe that had
held the audience changed to one OF
amaZement.
Point him out to me- said the
Judge.
"'THe man who can save me- re
piled the prisoner. sits there beside
you,' pointing TO the astonished Cap
tain Forsyth.
e'The Judge turned to Captain For
syth and said: This man appears t.
know YOU. Is 1t the case?'
Certainly not, he replied, mucf
surprised. i never saw him before il
my life
'Oh. Captain, broke out the pris
oner, yes, you needn't start, l Lno"
you, Captain Forsyth. You are neyel
going to swear away an innocent
mans life like thatP'
| ".It is curious, my man,' the Cap
| tain replie6. that ron know my name