Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-01-30
THE CRUCIAL TEST

Late at night the two boon companions
staggered from the saloon along the road
where one of them was found killed the
next morning.
The other was afterward discovered
sleeping under a haystack his hands COW
cred with blood, his face cut and bruised,
his Jacket torn down the front. The jail
soon had him within it's walls, charged
with the committal Of the crime, and the
good folks of the village were ON the tiptoe
Of excitement until the day of the trial ar
rived. The murdered man was dissolute,
idle character we'll known in the place
and there was but scant sympathy for his
untimely end. Wray WAS stranger to the
place and was apparently tramp.
In due course the term of court came on
and Saul Wray stood arraigned before
jury Of his countrymen.
Judge Grayson, who was trying the
case, was we'll known jurist of consider
able eminence, and had reputation for
strict impartiality. The court was crowded
when the case began, and many eyes were
directed to the prisoner, who, 1t was no
ticed by some particularly observant indi-
viduals, seemed considerably startled on
seeing Judge Grayson take his seat on the
bench A strange CLEAN came into his
eyes, while an unearthly pallor crept over
his swarthy oountenance.
In a low tone he pleaded "Not guilty."
Of course the evidence was purely cir
cumstantial, but, nevertheless, sufficiently
weighty to remove any doubts which
might have existed regarding the prison
er's guilt.
There was a solemn hush in the court as
the prosecutor rose to his feet and prepared
to address the jury.
The prisoner leaned over the railing
front of the dock, still with his eyes fixed,
not on the speaker, but on the judge, who
leaned back in his seat, and with his hands
loosely clasped in his lap, his eyes half
closed, listened attentively to counsel's
speech Occasionally the court opened and
closed his fingers or toyed with his thumbs
abstractedly, but the prisoner at the bar
did not move muscle or alter his keen
curious gaze
He was an uncouth looking individual.
Tall and loosely built there was u Ger
tain SLOUGH in his attitude that bespoke
the genus "loafer. He had a swarthy,
sun burned face, the lower portion of
which was entirely concealed by rough
tufts of tawny beard and whiskers, shaggy
and unkempt. His high, massive fore
head was crowned with iron gray hair,
which looked as If O comb were altogether
stranger to it.
His teeth were firmly clinched; he
breathed heavily; his eyes glowed with a
weird light as they remained fastened on
the face Of the judge, who evidently did
not notice the flxity Of their gaze. Ono
hand of the prisoner was tightly graspine
the rail in front OF him; the other was
thrust into the breast Of his coat.
1t was easy to forecast the verdict wher
the prosecutor sat down after speaking fol
just half an hour. The jury had theil
minds made up.
When Judge Grayson directed them tt
retire and consider their verdict, the fore
man got up hurriedly and intimated that
they had already arrived at a decision.
"We find the prisoner guilty, your hon
orr
All eyes were now centered on the pris
oner, who drew long breath as the judge
turned toward him and in clear tones
asked If he desired to say anything before
Judgment was pronounced.
Saul Wray started, his eyes cleaning
with liyid intensity; he drew himself VI
to his full height, crossing his arms on hi
breast. There was a breathless pause, ant
then there came but one word from tin
olinched teeth Of the prisoner at the bar:
"Brother!"
Judge Grayson started violently, open
ing his keen gray eyes full on the speaker
his face paling, his hands tightly claspint
the arms of his chair.
Brother William!"
Judge Grayson half rose to his feet, witt
on exclamation of mingled horror and sur
prise, then sank back in his seat, trem
bling visibly.
In deep tones the prisoner at the ba
spoke to him:
"You do not recognize me, Brothe
William, and do not wonder, for itwoul'
be hard indeed to know me now, 8
changed am from that brother who lef
you years ago to seek his fortune in Call
fornia. Yes, William Grayson, am you
brother Saul. l went to the bad long ago
am at the end of my tether now I d
not ask your sympathy. do not deserv
1t. Do with me as you will. y
There was low, indefinite murmur \
the crowded court as he stopped and bowe
his head, as IL evoking judgment.
Plying eyes turned on the judge, VIII
appeared crushed by the shock of the reve
lation, and the prosecutor started up him
self as If about to speak.
Judge Grayson motioned him to desis
and rose to his feet, leaning heavily on til
tahIa IN front If him His face was white