The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-08-04
CHAPTER vI.-tContinued.)


burned, the two-story house and con-
tents entailing loss of few thou
Sand dollars On the next day after
the fire the secret place of deposit of
some of Moliers money was discovered
on clearing away the ruins from the
cellar An old well was found there
in which, suspended by chain, was a
bag of gold weighing many pounds.
Calling an officer for witness and pro-
lection, Molier drew up the gold, car
ried it to the Lafayette bank (where
he had more) for deposit, and then
went to the Office Of the Etna Insur-
ance company on Front street, and de-
manded the money on his policy for
the burned house and contents. But
instead of getting his money, he was
arrested on a charge of arson and
murder, and without bail committed
to the Hamilton county Jail. There
he lay for month awaiting indict-
,ment and trial.
But though in prison, Molier was not
deserted. Vivette, like loving and
dutiful daughter as she was, abandoned
her school and devoted herself TO her
imprisoned father. She had his room
fitted up in comparative comfort, car
ried his meals from the hotel, and
spent the idle hours reading to her
father and cheering the tedious days
by her cheerful society. The old man
at first endeavored to prevent this self
sacrifice, saying he would soon be free
and she should not suffer for his own
bad reputation. whether justly or I'M
Justly. But Vivette insisted, declaring
she could be happy nowhere else.
When Molicr's case came up for trial,
the first charge-that for murder in the
second degree--was tried first. The
indictment charged that he had fclon-
iously burned his own house, knowing
that it might result in the death of the
girl asleep in an upper room, and that
it had also resulted. The prosecution
showed probable motive in desire to
secure the insurance money on his
property, but produced no direct evil
dencc of the crime
When the defense began. the attor-
ney offered the testimony of the daugh-
ter. Vivette. This had been anticipated,
and large audience had gathered to
hear her testify-among whom were a
number of law students anxious to
watch the proceedings of so important
n triaL
Vivettc appeared before the jury.
sad but sclf-composcd. Her eyes gave
token of recent tears her face was
pale at first, but soon flushed with
moral courage, and set off her touching
beauty in most effective manner. She
was plainly dressed, but in good taste.
and her fine person appeared to excel
lent advantage. There was a sensa-
tiQn when she rose to take the oath,
followed by profound silence.
Nivctte testified that she herself had
burned the house by accident; that she
had been studying her French lessons
until late hour by candle-light; that
she had fallen asleep in her chair and
woke to find the candle had fired the
window curtain, run up the wooden
ceiling which was blazing above her
head, and up the narrow stairway to
the room above, where the burned girl
slept, cutting off all escape. She de-
elared that her father and herself es-
capped with difficulty. losing even their
clothing and everything but few
small articles carried out by her father.
AS to the insurance. she testified that
her father had that very day received
n large invoice of watches and silver
ware not covered by insurance. and
worth half the amount of the policy.
1t was also shown by her testimony
that the girl who persisted was IA ia
voritc of her father and of herself, and
that she slept elsewhere more than
half the time, which periods of alb
sence might have been chosen as a
time to commit arson.
1t was quite evident the state was
not going to get n verdict when the
states attorney inquired whether there
was any supporting testimony as to
the invoice of new and uninsured
goods. The attorney for Molier APP
peared disturbed at this question. lie
could have had proof of the purchase
and delivery on the day of the fire, but
he had neglected that matter, and the
testimony of Vivette was unsupported.
At this moment young man from
among the law students mentioned
rose, went to the attorney and whis-
pered.
''Put Mr.. Gust upon the ssan6---i
swear Mr.. Gust as witness, Mr..
Clerk" said the attorney.
Counsel for the state objected; but
as it was apparent to the court that
the defense had not before been aware
of such witness he was permitted TO
testify.
Mr.. Gust testified that on the day of
Che fire he had been in the store of Mr..
Molier, had seen him unpacking
large lot of silverware and watches;
spoke to Molier abont it, and learned
that there was more than a thousand
dollars worth, and that Molier had
resolved to enlarge his business by the
addition of articles not kept before.
The states attorney merely asked
the witness whether he was frequent
visitor at Molier's, and was an
"