The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-10

feel1ng ran 30 nigh That IL was actually
necessary to guard them through two
counties with detachment of military
as they went to prosecute, and 1t was
hailed by the decent section of Irish So
ciety as a remarkable triumph of JUS
tice when the offenders were found
guilty and hanged.
In such circumstances it was not per
haps surprising that Sir Henry Hayes
could not be made amenable. He was
we'll known man; he was criminal;
he had incurred the pains and penal
ties of outlawry; rewards amounting to
nearly g1, 900 had been offered for his
apprehension, yet he walked about open
ly in the streets of Cork among his
friends and acquaintance, enjoying
himself to the top of his bent at balls
and festivals and races, like fine old
Irish gentleman all of the olden time.
Not only so, but the hapless young lady,
whose life he had rendered miserable by
his villainy, was forced for her personal
safety to take refuge in England, away
from her family and her home.
Two years elapsed. The gallant
knights sister and accomplice was now
dead, and he himself DESTROYS of bring
ing 1.-The Pike affair to a conclusion
possibly owing to the depleted state of
his exchequer. AT all events, he wrote
letter to Miss Pike, half appealing,
half threatening. The poor prosecuted
man stated that his conduct had been
honorable and delicate throughout; that
no lady with spark of humanity in
her bosom could thirst for his blood;
that if she did indulge in such an I'M
ladylike thirst it would be worse for
her. and that he was willing to abide
his trial in the city of Cork, where, he
thanked heaven, he stood as high as
any man in the regards of rich and poor
So this pious, honorable and eminent
ly delicate knight at last appeared in
court. The sentence of outlawry was
reversed without opposition, as the pros
ecutors wished the trial to take place
on the original charge of abduction. A
motion for change of venue on the
ground of the prisoners popularity in
Cork was made by counsel for the pros
ecution, but the judges dismissed it,
stating that they believed a Cork jury
would remember what they owed to
| their oaths, to their families and to
I their country and would do their duty
without fear, favor or affection.
The friends of Miss Pike spared no
expense to secure a conviction. Cur
ran, then at the zenith of his fame, was
brought down especial" to Cork to pros
ecute. Besides being the most brilliant
advocate that the Irish bar ever pro
duced, he was the darling of his coun-
trymen, and to do him justice few men
better deserved their affection. AS he
passed into the courthouse an old fish
woman, who had known him in earlier
days, saluted him with:
"Hooray, counselor dear! l hope you
will gain the day"
Take care what you say, my good
woman, answered the counselor, smil-
ing, for if l gain the day you'll GER
tainly lose the (k)night'
Curran was more used to the defense
of prisoners than to their prosecution,
but in the present case he produced
profound effect by speech at once lu-
minous, eloquent and pathetic, worthy
to rank among the best orations that
| even nc Quu ever uellVeTcu.
The evidence and the eloquence were
alike overwhelming. The jury, much
to Sir Henry's surprise and horror,
brought in verdict of guilty, and the
prisoner was sentenced to death. Con-
sternation fell upon his friends at this
unexpected result Was it possible that
a real Irish gentleman should suffer the
fate of a vulgar croppy for such an
amiable weakness? The thing was alb
surd, outrageous, incredible. Sir Hen
rvs friends set to work and made siren
uous efforts on his behalf. Owing to
their exertions, Sir Henry Hayes, like
that other eminently moral knight, Sir
John Falstatf, remained unhung, the
sentence of death being committed into
one of transportation for life.
Time ran on. After passing some
years in Punishment Sir Henry got his
sad case brought to the notice of the
prince regent, who obtained pardon
for the delinquent, and Sir Henry was
restored to that select circle which had
80 long mourned his loss.
But when he returned to his native
land times had changed, deathblow
had been given to the abduction of
young girls, more enlightened public
sentiment was gradually growing up in
Ireland, and to adopt the lines of Mrs.
Hemans:
His banner led the spears no more
Among the hills of Cork.
| h.