Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-05
CHAPTER XIII.
TIE TRIAL.

1t is not my intention to trouble the reader
with chapters full Of appeals I'D nniserjcO,-
diam, OF to pile up the agony in the manner
Of the expert manufacturer Of sensational
fiction: though. if chose to do 80, there is
plenty Of material ready to my han.i. have
my doubts perhaps, whether | am personal
IL interesting enough to sway the sympathy
OF the teuder-heartrd, in IT," character Of =
man unjuStIy accused of the most hOrT GJe OF
human crimes. But the mere fact that sIrY-
viye to write these lines i proof positive Of
one thing-that / was not hanged! SO. on
that score at least, the reader may be per
fectly easy in his mind.
The assIZes came on some six weeks after
the date of the inquest. and IN til. Interim
found that my darling did not TAIL to keep
her word. A firm Of solicitors instructed by
her undertook my defense; and though | at
first out of motives Of pride, declined their
good offices. was finally persuaded to re-
cept them. Through their managing c.c,&,,
more than once received kindly nr~~d-",
from Madeline: but not once did Sh" appear
upon the scene personally tn,ll III" G"T OF
the trial came, when, on entering the dock. |
saw her sitting by GrOryn R"drlths side III
the crowded court.
Ny aunt amt uncle were there, t,"--thc
latter 80 worn and changed that | ,hoUd
scarcely have recognized him. 80 wa, honest
john Rudd, together with other Old trends
and acquaintance. But before the TIN. I've
gan, all those who were called as witnesses
withdrew. George Redruth among the num-
Der. Ny darling remained in her place, close
to my counsel and solicitors in the well BE-
meath the Judges seat: and more than once,
in the course Of the proceedings, | saw her
to my defenders.
Thinking it all over again now, in the quiet
Of these artery ears. / am sure still, as | was
sure then that her face helped TO save me.
Its pathetic beauty and sympathy, | helieFe,
touched the heart Of the jury, and wrought
Wonders in my behalf Even the Judge Mo
had what is known as a changing reputa-
ton. looked down upon her with eyes Of Ia
VOr.
Early N the course of the proceedings, |
heard whispers among liz" crowd surrOupd-
inc me They Wcr" looking at Madeline,
and sem" one was asking who She might Nt.
\ voice replied chow well | remember it,
and how my pal" tace went red with proud
SurpriSc) that sEr was ''the prisoner sweet
heart Far away as | knew that iGpa Ia he
from the simple truth, / looked ut uy der
ling VITA new feelings of love aItd gratitude,
and almost forgot for a mUinVnt the great
and impa-Sabie barrier between us.
After Inc speech Ior the prosecution, in
which | was painted in vivid cOl0rs as .;
young man of violent habits, having It h0mi-
cdal hatred to the murdered man, tne first
witnesses depoSed to the finding of the body
and to The marks Of violence upon it. Then
George Redruth described my last quarrel
with Johnson, and my dismissal from the
OverSeCrShlp of the mine On this occasion,
| fear, X druth rather exaggerated than I'M
de. estimated the extent Of my hostility;
and Whrn asked if he personally thought
that the deceased had amy reason to fear my
violence. hCsitatcd and answered that she
was afraid he had" | saw Madeline start
and look appCa,ingIy at the witness, while a
low murmur ran through the court On the
whole, K 'druth 5 cVihCncc, though given
with a certain reluctance, was very hostile.
could not help feeling that it WAS none the
less SO because Madeline was seated there
with my defenders. and working 50 jealous
ly on my behalf.
My aunt next described my doings OF the
night Of my departure Gom st. Gurlott' sand
again admitted, as at the inquest that [ had
been at a late hour i'll the neighborhOod of
:he mine. Then my uncle entered the box
CHASTITY and wOe-begOne, clad III his Sabbath
clothes of black, he stood like a man daZed;
not once turning his eyes in my direction.
His evidence only cOTobOrated that of my
aunt; but unimpOrtant as it was, he gave it
with extreme reluctance,
After the prosecuting counsel was done
with him, he was questioned by my own
counsel, as follows:
ION the night of the murder you We're at
home with the prisoner"
''ISS, sir"
Did you see him go OutY'
Il diSremember. ! took nav note OF; and
ma memory'S failing me-"
"Ah; you have been i'll for some time"'
"Nawt just myself like, SIR
Had you any reason to imagine that the
prisoner bore any anmosity to deceased?
Did he ever in your hearing utter any threats
against him?"
Never, sir; nawt one ward"
$50 far as you know, he had no cause to
dislike deceased, beyond the fact that he had
taken his place as overSeer?'
| saw my uncle trembling violently; but
his answer came clear and firm:
''Nawt as | knaws on, sir; and l knaw
this, he neer meant to harm 'un."
"On the night in question did the prisoner
show any agitatiOn?"
Nav, Sll mo TIC NtlS Il bui Out az
gawing AVA fro home"
Did he show on his person any signs OF
violence, as of StruggleY'
Nav, sir; nawt he
THAT will do. You may stand down."
Still carefully averting his eyes from mine,
my uncle left the box
All that could be said was said in my de-
Tense. Ny witnesses to character included
John Rudd and other local worthless: but all
this testimony would have been of little
avail without that which followed. 70 my
intense surprise, Madeline herself entered
the box as witness ON my side; and though
what she had To say, was practically irrele-
want though II concerned chiefly my saving
of her life from ShipWreck, il worked won
derS for me. Never shall | forget the thrill
of JOY that went through ME as she said in
answer 10 a question:
No one who knows the prisoner believes
him capable Of this or any crime. He is tie
braveSt and truest man have ever met
1t was ut this point that the prosecuting
counsel rose, ana said, very suavelv:
Excuse me. Miss Graham-but you have
q great interest III the prisoner?
"a very great interest. replied Madeline,
looking him calmly in the face.
a tender interest. perhaps? Am l wrong
in believing that there has been an engage
ment between you?''
could have knocked the fellow down.
Madeline went crimson, but recovering her
self in moment, steldily replied:
That is not true. My engagement with
Mr.. Tre.awney is one of gratitude 10 the
man who saved my life at the risk OF his
own"
The counsel lost something BY this passage