The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1895-07-05

CHAPTER vI.-(Continued)
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
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 Htna 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 a loving and
ilbNl 40 oiAS Nhof obohNCA~O
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 un-
justly. But Vivette insisted, declaring
she could be happy nowhere else.
When Moliers case came up for trial,
the first charge-that for murder in the
second degree-was tried first. The
indictment charged that he had felon-
iously burned his own house, knowing
that il 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 n desire to
secure the insurance money on his
property, but produced no direct evil
dence 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
a trial. .
Vivette appeared before the jury.
sad but self-composed 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 a most effective manner. She
was plainly dressed, but in good taste,
and her fine person appeared to excel
lent advantage. There was sensa-
ton when she rose to take the oath,
followed by profound silence.
Vivette 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 Ia
the room above, where the burned girl
slept, cutting off all escape. She de-
clared 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
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
vorite of her father and of herself, and
that she slept elsewhere more thar
half the time, which periods of alb
sence might have been chosen as q
time to commit arson.
1t was quite evident the state was
not going to get verdict when the
states attorney inquired whether there
was any supporting testimony as tc
the invoice of new and uninsured
goods. The attorney for Molier ap
peared disturbed at this question. He
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 wills
pered.
"Put Mr.. Gust upon the sand
swear Mr.. Gust as a witness, Mr.
Clerk" said the attorney.
Counsel for the state Jbjected; bu
as it was apparent to the court tina
the defense had not before been awar,
of such witness he was permitted t.
testify.
Mr.. Gust testified that on the day o.
the fire he had been in the store of Mr.
Molier, had seen him unpacling
large lot of silverware and watches
spoke to Molier about it, and learned
that there was more than a Thousand
dollars worth, and that Molier haC
resolved to enlarge his business by thu
addition of articles not kept before.
The states attorney merely askeC
the witness whether he was frequen
Il