The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-08

esdine little bog BY Inc band sss~ss
she 90 10 the window she Hf&<G Ire 49,
UP ID ~ srms.
Here an. jennie called es:s s..e
prisoner. Il can - you. bat yon Gait
se< me back here In the shade
Have you hsa your breakfast get y she
asked srembIinsiy.
YES. and have eaten heartily. You
told me yon would End oszs whether our
neighbers believed me guilty; did ron do
uY''
The wife lowered her bead and Vas
siienL
Jennie. did you hear me :"
some do believe it and others won't
speak to me about Il"
He vas silent. and the panied look that
was setting on his face deepencd-
sJennie, nov 60 get your seat IN the
courtroom before the crowd comes They
will take me there ~ soon - the court
opens.n
A his wife walked away be rose on tip
toes to see her.
God knows I have done ali could to
teach my boy 10 be homes" he murmured
To himself. III they were TO convict me
today what . lessen IL would be to him!
As he grew up be would learn that his
father was . convict. No, they viii not
condemn me- shaiI speak TO the jury;
my words shall convince them il al else
fails"
A few moments later he sat on the pris-
oner's bench and scanued the faces OF the
inrors who had been chosen. They looked
like honest, feeling men-men who, like
himself. had wives. perhaps. and children
His face showed that be had not lost hope
even while the attorney for the prosecution
was citing the strong circumstantsal evi-
dence against him. But the accused could
not catch the eyes Of the jurymen. They
had looks for none save the speaker.
When the prosecuting attorney took his
seat there was . craning Of necks over the
vast crowd TO catch view of the prisoner.
He wondered why they were looking at
him 20 fxediy and so pitvingiy. He looked
ct bis wife; she was regarding him with
such a look OF hopeless misery that his
heart sank within him. He saw his lawyer
move over to her and whisper in her ear.
She nodded her head and then they both
came to him.
There is not chance left" said the
lawyer. Judge, jury and spectators are
against US II you plead guilty your pun
ishrnent will be lighter. | bring your wife
to plead with you"
do IL, John. said she. sobbing in an
swer TO his startled glance of inquiry.
II know you are innocent, but the lawyer
knows best what you ought TO do.
Confess that my boy is the son Of
feIon. and that you are the wife of . con-
vict? will not do IL. Go back to your
seats. Let me speak TO the jury"
The lawyer employed by the defendant
rose and made q weak argument. Nothing
he said could refute the evidence advanced
by the prosecution. He sat down. Again
all the eyes save the jury were cast upon
the accused. bearing looks pregnant with
sympathy. Some looked 1T the pale-faced
woman and the little boy and sadly shook
their heads.
YES" said the judge. 'the prisoner is
entitled To make statement"
The voice Of the prisoner was very un-
steady when he began to speak. He said
that he hoped all would pardon his en-
barrassrnent inasmnch as he had never
spoken in public before. He went on
plaIntiveIy to tell about how he was at
work In the room from which the money
was stolen; how he had left his coat in
leaving the room but once, and
that was 10 go TO the well in the yard
to get drink of water. He thought that
some one entered while he was out, had
taken the money and put the empty purse
In his coat pocket. The money he had
changed was some that he had been saving
for several years for fear that he might be
taken sick and not be able TO earn q sup
port He seemed to want to say more, but
his voice broke down and he began to shed
tears.
The jury withdrew 70 a private room to
make up their verdict. after the Judge had
charged them to do their duty. They
handed each juryman small slip of paper
or the words mot guilty." When all had
written he took No the slips in q hat.
After be had read them all over he said:
1T Is unanimous. Every ticket con.
tains but single word"
They slowly returned to the court room
and reflled the twelve chairs made vacant
by their withdrawal. The foreman stood
up and announced that they had found the
prisoner guilty.
The prisoner had the eyes of the whole
Eb1ii- N Wuus uuDtca tttAs ita WaiCu lay
the shadows OF q strange, sudden deter
mination, came into ais face and eyes. He
thrust his hand into the breast of his coat
and held il there. Many thought his hand
Was pressed against his heart but IL was
not. for he had taken hold OF something in
bis breast pocket and was elutching ii with
a grasp of iron.
The house was as still rs q grave. for he
had risen to his feet He was deathiy pale
and his lips were twitching as II he were
in srasni. He faced the jury, then he
turned 10 the wondering judge.
II have something to ssyi" he gasped.
He paused and looked toward his wife and
child and continued: II would not care
to--ssy IL before them. May ask them to
retire.
The judge hooded his head and the pris-
oner went to the woman. He kissed her
tenderiy on the iips and then he kissed bis
how AMI motioned them TO leave. The
vile wept freely and her sobbing could
be heard through the court room as she
went across the court yard.
"He intends TO confess now. man said
10 a woman az his side.
Yes" she answered in whisper, "and
loved his wife so much that he could not