Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-17
AN ALTERED VERDICT.

OHenSeS were puHlsIduIe W "S"OH'
stranger who was staying at the Lion
Hotel, Chester, hearing that a some
what remarkable trial was to come off
at the assize courts, said he should
like very much to get into the court if
possible.
81 am captain in the royal navy,
he added, land perhaps that may ena-
bic me to gain some favor.
The landlord offered to help his
guest, and was successful in obtaining
for him seat on the bench.
The first case on the list was one Of
burglary. The prisoner, who gave his
name as Thomas Wilson, denied all
knowledge of the burglarious charge
upon which he was arraigned, and
stated that he was sailor, and had
just been paid off.
When requested to explain how GER
tain articles came into his possession,
he said that he had purchased them OF
poor man. This explanation was
childish in the extreme.
His answers to other accusations
were equally simple and unsatisfactory.
The evidence against him was over
whelming.
After brief summing up from the
Judge, the jury found verdict Of
guilty without leaving the box. Then
the clerk of arraigns put the formal
question:
Prisoner at the bar, you have heard
the verdict of the jury. Have you
anything to say why sentence of death
should not be passed upon YOU
The prisoner, who was a tall, pow
erful, fne-looking man, drew himself
up erect-he was evidently suffering
from great emotion--but, hastilybrush-
ing his coat-sleeye across his eyes, he
turned to the Judge, and said, in a
gruf but not unpleasant voice
"Well, cap'n, it's hard to be hung
for nothin', but l can see this yere is
a yardarm business. knows no more
O this ere burglary nor babby but
these witnesses ha'n't told no lies, |
s'pose. And what can | say agin EN- ?
When this thing came off l was fight
ing the slavers on the Gold Coast.
But you've got no call to believe that,
so there's an end OF.
There was something bluff and man
ly about the prisoners manner which
impressed the Judge, who said, not un-
kindly:
"But surely, prisoner, if your story
is true, you must have friends and
comrades with whom you could have
communicated? If you had thought
they could do you good, you would
have done this. 1t is too late now.
You're right, cap'n, it is too late
But it's all very well to say let EN-
know, when man is locked up in
Jail and can t read nor write, and don't
know where they are. They may be
in Ameriky, and they may be at the
cape, and how could let EN- know
Leastways, not in time. No, It's nc
use, cap'n, and you'd better order me
to be run up to the yardarm at once,
Everyone in court stared in amaze
ment at the man who thus coolly urgec
the Judge to hasten his execution
while at the same time protesting hi
innocence. The Judge was evidently
touched and perplezed, for after {
moments pause he said;
"But, prisoner, the court has n'
wish to hang a man who may be lnno
cent. Is there no one who could speal
for you?'
Thomas Wilson looked in a hopeless
sort of way round the court.
Not likely" he began, but sud
denly he stopped short, a look of as
topishment came over his face, h
leaned eagerly forward, his eyes seeme'
starting from their sockets. Every
one in court instinctively turned am
pazed in the direction in which tn
prisoner was staring. Slowly Thoma
Wilson raised his arm, and, pointini
solemnly to the stranger from the Lao
Hotel, who sat on the bench, said, i
a voice half choked by emotion:
"Ye-es, there's gentleman ther
who might speak for me, if he would.
The Judge turned sharply round
"Do you know the prisoner" he asked
"NO, my lord, was the reply. 6
never saw him before in my life.
A deep grOan burst from the prs
oner, and it was echoed by sOmethin
very much like sigh of disapPOint
ment from the people in the court.
"Well, Cap'n Sharpe, if you put tn
rope round my neck, give in. e