Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-25
HE FOUGHT AT WINCHESTER.
Found Warm Friends When Ar
raigned as a Prisoner.

Found Warm Friends When Ar
raigned as Prisoner.
In the case OF the State VS.. John
Stuart, Indictment for larceny, the
prisoner appeared in the court room,
shutting along. scarcely able to walk.
He wore a soiled checked shirt, very
much worn suit, and a battered hat
Appearing as state witnesses were
two well-dressed, sleek-looldng men
who were determined TO send the old
man TO the penitentiary.
HAS the prisoner any counselg"
asked Judge Phillips.
Il have none" answered Stuart. 81
am a poor man and unable to pay an
attorney"
The Judge saw by his looks that his
WAS an unusual case, and said: well,
20 on and tell your story"
"Well, sir, i was in the confederate
army, and at the battle OF Winchester
/ was shot through both hips. Since
then it has been exceedingly hard for
me TO support myself. l went to work
for this man upon his word TO pay me
what my services were worth. During
that time he paid me 10c. with which
I bought tobacco. At the end of eight
months he refused to pay me any mon
ey, and refused TO give me any clothes,
saying my services were worthless
Then | went into his wardrobe. took a
suit OF clothes TO hide my nakedness
and left. He had me indicted for
larceny, and have been in Jail ever
since"
As the old man finished murmur of
indignation was heard throughout the
court room.
you say you were shot at Winches-
ter?" asked Judge Phillips, who was
himself an officer in the splendid and
memorable charge.
Eyes. sir"
Were you in the second charge to
the left, on the other side of the
town?n
The prisoners face frightened.
"Yes," he said" | was there
Rhodes division-and was shot VIII lie
crossing the ravine just below the
hill"
The Judge was certain then tn at the
old veteran was telling the truth. but
TO be certain he called the states
witness.
While this witness was giving in his
testimony, which was 10 the effect that
the old mans story was about right,
but that he refused TO pay him any
thing because his services were worth
less, Stuart leaned over to Solicitor
Settle. Mr.. Settle" he said. ''your
father and | were friends. / lived in
Rockingham county, and your father
persuaded me TO enlist in his company.
| received my wound while following
him. Since then ii has been hard
for me 20 keep out OF the poorhouse.
BY this time Judge Phillips and
Solicitor Settle and everybody else in
the court room were satisfied that the
old soldier had been pitiless!y persecut-
ed. and the faces OF the onloOkers
showed the deepest pity and sympathy
for the unfortunate MN and the
blacklist Indignation for his en-
ployer.
MIR. Solicitor" said the Judge.
change your bill OF indictmen from
larceny to trespass. This was willingly
done by Mr.. Settle.
Now" he continued. Judgment is
suspended and the prisoner discharg-
ed
Scarcely had the last word been
spoken before every man in the room
applauded, and great tears were roll
ing down the cheeks of strong men.
As the old man who, half an hour be-
fore had been friendless. hobbled out
Of the court room. hundreds OF men
drew round him to shake his hand. .
Our townsman, w. u. Glen, volunteer
ed to secure him pension. Mr..
Hollyfield offered him a position as
miller and in less than five minutes a
purse was male up TO buy the old
soldier a suit OF clothes. -Leesburg
Mirror.