Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-08-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
Almost aLife, or circumstantiaI
Evidence.

ENtQGIICCs
never think of my first case as prosecuting
attorney without qualm of fear, though SC
many years have elapsed since Richard Short
was on trial for his life.
| The evidence was clear against him. Cecil
Torrey. wealthy planters son had been found
| dead in the street and Short was surprised by
party of young men as he was bending over
the body.
He was running away when captured, and
on his person were found papers and money
belonging to the dead man.
Everything seemed dead against Short, and
it was proved that he had served term in
! prison before, but mp to the night before his
trial, he still protested his Innocence.
had hoped he would make full confess
sion, because it is a terrible thought to imagine
you are hanging an innocent man.
In the midst of some worried reflection re-
garding the case of the man who was going to
be hanged on the morrow, was sent for by
Charles Avon an important witness Mt the trial
and a friend of the dead man.
Within half an hour. for the distance I had
to go short, was alone with Mr.. Avon in
his chambers. a marked change had come
over his appearance since we had last met
His face was worn and haggard and there was
n nervous twitching about the mouth when he
spoke.
"There-there is something have on my
mind to tell you," he said with hesitating
tremor in his voice.
Imotioned him to go on.
II was witness, as YOU know, on trial of
Richard Shert."
81 remember" replied; land you testified
that on the night of the murder, Cicil Torrey
had remained with you here till II o'clock aud
then departed alone"
(which was strictly true" he added "bui
there was more which I should have told
1 bent forward, eager to catch his next
words. But he remained eilcnt, Us II in doubt
whether to continue.
IF there be anything within your knowI,
edge" said solemnly, (which caa shed fur
ther light on the late terrible tragedy. or, per
adventure, may prevent the commission of a
frightful act of Injustice there is but little time
to speak"
Tho words seemed to arouse him. and with
an excited. rapid utterance, he thus proceeded
"Cecil Torrey was my bosom friend. The
tios between US wcro strengthcd by thc fact
that his sister Helen who died broken hearted
with grief at her brothers death, was my be-
trothed. It was but the other day saw hel
laid by his side, andoh how longed 20 kecT
them company But It is not of this that
would speak.
"On that fatal night a dispute. 40 trivial
that can scarcely now recall its origin, sprang
up between Cecil and myself over game oi
cards in which we were indulging for partime
"Both of us were rash and hot-tempered and
one word led to another, till Cecil, springine
up with flushed face, exclaimed in u tone oi
menace:
"'Do you accuse me of chcnting2'
"ff it was thus you would demand dis
claimer, returned In manner as defiant a.
his own. 4 decline to give it.
"The reply was a blow, which Mt once set my
brain on fire. a small gold-mounted dagger
4 mere toy-lay on the table My eye fel
upon it, and catching it up in my insane fury
l made quick thrust at Cecil's breast. / be
leved, at the time, that his raised arm paired
off the stroke, for he showed no sign OF being
hurt. In an instant realized the folly of my
act, and, linging away the weapon, graspet
my friends hand
" Forgive me Cecil' cried.
} '"And forgive me, he nnswercdi we hav,
both bcen fools tonight
can expression also of sudden pain passet
over his features. l attributed IL to the regre
for our foolish outfall, of which was hasten
ing to take the blame upon myself, when &c
ell interrupted me.
Whatever happens he said, earnestly
this occurrence must be known only to our
selves. 1t would make Helen miserable if 4
came to her ears. For the present let us par
and part friends. We have both food for prof
table reflection. Then pressing my hauC
! warmly he turned and took his leave
at was more than an hour after that my at
tcntiou was called to the dagger where hat
thrownit. STOPPING to pick it up, starte,
, with horror. There was blood upon the blade
'cHurying from my house. 1 ran to meet m.
friend. The news of his death met me ere
had gone many steps. The cry of remors
that escaped me was taken for sudden out
burst of grief. I was on the point of pro
claiming all, when the thought restrained mi
that it would redouble Heien's nnguish 10 know
whose hand has caused it. And so 1 held M
peace, even while another was tried and con
domned for my own rash act. While Helel
] lived, had not the courage TO ayow the truth
/ But now she is gone. and conscience will no
suffer me to see the consequences of my Grim
. fixed upon another"
The silence which followed this recital va
2 thus broken By Charles Avon
= L am aware" he said, :" of the dut
now resting upon yon. It is, fret, to say
E the life ofthe unfortunate wretch condemne
: to die tomorrow, and next 20 bring the rea
culprit to justice. OF tho latter task sha
relieve you."
? And before couId interpose to stay hi
e hand, he raised to his lips small phial, whie
he had held concealed, and drained the cor
tents.
Instantaneously, as If a bullet had pierce
his brain, he fell back in his chair. a few "
olent commissions followed. and before bel
could como in answer to my summons he wa
dead.
Ihasteued to telegraph to the Governor. an
reprieve came in tune to prevent the add
ton of another to tho already swollen list {
judicial murders
Many Persons
Arc broken down from uveTwork or household