The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-03-29

neighbors believed me guilty; did you
do it?'
The wife lowered her head and was
silent.
''Jcnnie, did you hear me?'
"Some do believe it, and the Others
won't speak to me about it,"
He was silent, and the panied look
that was settling on his face deepened
Jennie, now go to your sent in the
courtroom before the crowd comes
They will take me there as soon as the
| court opens"
As his wife walked away he rose OF
tiptoes to sec her
"Gcd knows have done all could tt
teach my boy to be honest he muir
mured to himself. "If they were to con.
vict me to-day what lesson it would be
to him! AS he grew up he would learn
that his father was convict. No; they
will not condemn me. l shall speak to
the jury, my words shall convince Them
if all else fails"
A few moments later he sat on the
prisoners bench and scanned the faces
of the jurors who had been chosen.
They looked like honest feeling men.
men who like himself, had wives, per-
haps, and children. His face showed
that he had not lost hope, even while
the attorney for the prosecution was
citing the strong circumstantial evidence
against him. But the accused could not
catch the eyes of the jurymen. They
had looks for none save tho speaker.
When the prosecuting attorney took
his seat, there was craning of neclks
over the vast crowd to catch view of
the prisoner. He wondered why they
we're looking at him so fiXedly and so
pityingly. He looked at his wife; she
was regarding him with such 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
lawy er. Judge, jury and the spectators
are against us. If you will plead guilty
your punishment will be lighter. | bring
your wife to plead with you"
do it, John" said she, sobbing in
answer to his startled glance of inquiry
II know you are innocent, but the law
yer knows best what you ought to do"
Confess that my boy is the son of
felon, that you are the wife of u convict?
| will not do it. Go back to your seats.
Let me speak to the jury"
The lawyer employed by the defend
ant rose and made weak argument.
Nothing he said could refute TIE evil
ience ad yanced by the prosecution. He
sat down. Again the eyes of all save
the jury were cast upon the accused,
bearing looks pregnant with sympathy.
Some looked at the pale-faced woman
and the little boy, and sadly shook their
heads.
Yes said the Judge, "thc prisoner
IS entitled to make statement"
The voice of the prisoner was very
unsteady when he begun to speak. lie
aid that he hoped all would pardon his
inasmuch as he had
lever spoken in public before. He went |
m plaintively to tell about how he was |
1t work in the room from which the |
money was stolen. How he had left his |
cat in the hall. He could not rcmem-
Der leaving the room but once and that
vas to go to the well in the yard to get
drink of water. He thought that some
me had entered while he was out, hau
aiken the money and put the empty |
,urse in his coat pocket. The money |
ie had changed was some that he had |
,acn saving for several years for fear |
hat he might he taken sick and not he |
bic to earn support. He had not told |
lis wife Of the savings. He seemed to |
want to say more, hut his voice broke |
own and he began to shed tears.
The jury withdrew to private room |
o make up their verdict, after the Judge |
lad charged them as to their duty. They |
hut themselves IN, and the foreman
landed each juryman small slip of pa
,er and told them to write the word |
guilty" or the words mot guilty"
When all had written, he took up the
lips in hat. After he read them all,
Ie said:
1T is unanimous. Every ticket con-
aims but a single word"
They slowly returned to the courtroom
nd rofilled the twelve chairs made va
ant by their withdrawal. The fore
nan stood up and announced that they
idu lOlhu bllt pFl9OHcI gullJy'
The prisoner had the eyes of the
yhole room. A wild, haunted look, in
which lay the shadow of strange, sud-
en- determination came into his face
nd eyes. He thrust his hand into the
roast of his coat and held it there
lany thought his hand was pressed
.gainst his heart, but it was not, for he
lad taken hold of something in his
reast pocket and was clutching it with
grasp of iron.
The house was still as a grave, for he
ad risen TO his feet. He was deathly
ale and his lips were twitching as if he
'cre in spasm. He faced the jury
hen he turned TO the wondering judge
II have something to say" he gasped.
lie paused and looked toward his wife
nd child and continued: 81 would not
are toto say it before them. May ]
SIX them to retire"
The Judge nodded his head and the
risoner went to the woman. lie kissed
er tenderly on the lips and then he
issed his boy and motioned them TO
cave. The wife wept freely and her
obbing could be heard through the
ourtroom as she went across the court
ard
'lie intends to confess now," man
aid to woman at his side.
"Yes," she answered in whisper,
and loved his wife so much that he
ould not do it before her. He has
ood spot in him He must have been
tronplv tomntnd -