Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-05-15
THE JURYMAN'S STORY.

H. E. Nc Collum in Yankee Blade.
THE JURYMAN'S STORY.
We had been out of court twenty-four
hours, and stood eleven to one. The case
was plain-at least, we eleven thought SO.
A murder Of peculiar atrocity had been
committed, and though no eye had wit
messed the deed circumstances pointed to
the prisoners guilt with unfailing GER
tainty.
The recusant juror had stood out from
the first. He acknowledged the cogency
of the proofs, confessed his inability to
reconcile the facts with the defendant
innocence, and yet on every vote went
steadily for acquittal His conduct was
inexplicable 1t could not result from a
lack of intelligence for, while he spoke but
little, his words We're well chosen and
evinced thorough understanding of the
case.
Though still in the prime of manhood
his locks were prematurely white, and his
face wore singularly sad and thoughtful
expression. He might be one of those who
entertained scruples as to the right of So
ciety 30 infiict the death penalty. But no,
it was not that; for, in reply to such sug-
gestion, he frankly admitted that brutal
men, like the vicious brutes they resemble,
must be controlled through fear, and that
dread Of death, the supreme terror, is in
many cases the only adequate restraint.
At the prospect of another night of fruit
less imprisonment we began to grow i'm
patient, and expostulated warmly against
what seemed an unreasonable captious-
ness, and some not over kind remarks
were INDUCED in as to the improperly of
trifling with an oath like that under which
we were acting.
"And yet," the man answered, as though
communing with himself rather than re-
polling the imputation, cit is conscience
that binders my concurrence in a verdict
approved by my judgment"
''How can that be?" queried several at
once.
conscience may not always dare to fol
low judgment"
s'But here she can know no other guide. y
81 once would have said the same"
"And what changed your opinion?"
"Experience."
The speakers manner was visibly agi-
tated, and we waited in silence the ex-
PLANTATION which he seemed ready to- give.
Mastering his emotion, as if in answer to
our looks of inquiry, he continued:
'Twenty years ago l was a young man
just beginning life. Few had brighter pros
poets and none brighter hopes. An attach
ment dating from childhood had ripened
with its object. There had been no verbal
declaration and acceptance of love-no for
NAL plighting of troth, but when I took
my departure to seek home in the distant
west it was a thing understood that when
I had found it and put it in order she was
to share it, Life in the forest, though soil
tary, is not necessarily lonesome. The kind
of society afforded by nature depends much
on ones self AS for me, lived more in
the future than in the present, and hope is
an over cheerful companion. At length
the time came for making the final pay
ment on the home which had bought. It
would henceforth be my own; and in a few
more months my simple dwelling, which I
had spared no pains to render inviting,
would be graced by it's mistress.
Sat the land office, which was some sixty
miles off, I met my old friend, George
c.. He, too, had come to seek his fort
une in the west, and we were both delighted
with the meeting. He had brought with
him, he said. sum of money which he de-
sired to invest in land, on which it was his
purpose to settle. I expressed q strong
wish to have him for neighbor, and gave
him cordial invitation to accompany me
hame, giving it as my belief that he could
nowhere make a better selection than in
that vicinity, He readily consented, and
we set out together. We had not ridden
many miles when George suddenly recol-
lected commission he had undertaken for
friend, which would require his attend
ance at public land sale on the following
day. Eyacting a promise that he would
not delay his visit longer than necessary,
and having given minute directions as to
the route, [ continued my way homeWard,
while he turned back.
81 was about retiring to bed on the night
of my return when summons from with
out called me to the door A stranger
asked shelter for himself and his horse for
the night. I invited him in. Though a
stranger, his face seemed not unfamiliar.
He was probably one of the men I had seen
at the land Office. place at that time much
frequented. Offering hin & seat, went
to see to his horse. The poor animal, as
wei! as could see by the starlight, seemed
to have been hardly used. His painting
sides bore witness Of merciless riding. and
a tremendous shrinking at the slightest
touch betokened recent fright. On re-en-
tering the house / found the stranger was
not there. His absence excited no surprise:
he would doubtless soon return. 1t was a
little singular, however, that he should
have left his watch lying on the table.
cat the end of half an hour, my guest
not returning, went again to the stable,
thinking hs might have found his way
thither to give personal attention to The
wants of his horse. Before going out, from
mere force of habit-for we were as yet un,
infested by either thieves Or policemen
took the precaution of putting the stran
gers watch in q drawer in which [ kept
my owH valuables. l found theshorse aa
had left him, and gave him the food which
he was now sufficiently cooled to be allowed
to eat; but his master was nowhere to be
seen. As approached the house a crowd
of men on horseback dashed up, and was
commanded, in no gentle tones, to 'stand!
In another moment [ was in the clutches
of those who claimed me as their 'pris-
oner'
Il was too much supplied at first to ask
what it all meant. I did SO at last, and
the explanation came-it was terrible
My friend, with whom had so lately set
out in company, had been found muir
dered and robbed near the spot at which
I, bub alone, knew we had separated.
was the last person known to be with him
and | was now arrested on suspicion of his
nerder A search Of the premises was
~~led ,tely instituted. The watch was
found in the drawer in which had placed
Il and was identified as the property O.
the murdered man. His horse, too, wa
found in my stable, for the animal hat
lust put there was none other. l recog
nized him myself when saw him III the
light. What l said know not. My con
fusion vas taken IS additional evidence
And when, at length, / did command Ian
guage to give an Ineligible statement, i
was received with sneers and incredulity
The mob spirit is inherent in mana
| least In crowds of men. 1t may not Away
manifest itself IN physical violence: |
sometimes contents itself with lynching .
character. But whatever it's form, it !
ALWAYS relentless, pitiless, cruel.
ssAs the proofs Of my guilt one after an
other, came to light, low mutterings gradu
ally grew into a clamor for vengeance; am
but for the firmness of one MANTLE Office
who had me in charge-I would doubles
have paid the penalty of my supposed OF
| tense on the spot. 1t was not sympath
+bat actI1atnd my PROTECTOR His heart wa