The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-04-02

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envy that mans feelings when he
learns the consequences Of his unnat-
i ural conduct, and / maintain, gentle.
men of the jury, that it is he who
should be standing in the dock and not
1 his SON.
Silas Marston cast down his eyes
s'The prisoner" continued the learn
/ ed gentleman, when on the brink Of
starvation fell in with a man, whose
name has been mentioned, and who
| may yet have to answer for his share
in this crime. For motives of his own
this man took pity on him and fed
him. 1t was he who induced him to
! apply to the prosecutors for the situa-
ton of Grand boy under an alias, and
it was in obedience to his command
| that the accused obtained the blank
checks and letters bearing the neces-
sary signatures The prisoner could
not refuse; his gratitude forbade.
! That the boys nature is honorable
and scrupulous I have proof. His
father turned him out Of doors to
starve, yet 1 have failed to persuade
him to reveal that stony-hearted faith
ers name and address. He has re-
fused to bring disgrace upon his un-...
natural parent by revealing his own
name to his counsel I have nothing
more to add, gentlemen, except to ask
you to take into account all the circun-:
stances of this case. IF the accused's:
father-the real criminal could be
called as a witness it would relieve;
my feelings to examine him"
He sat down. The judge summed
UP in a sentence. and turned to the
jury, as if expecting an immediate
verdict of guilty"
1t was not forthcoming. Whispers.
passed to and fro in the jury box.
Silas Marston took no part in the dis
scussion. He had written his verdict;
on a slip Of paper and handed it to!
the foreman. 1t was guilty" Hav-t
| ing done his duty, lie had apparently
no further interest in the matter.
| swell, gentlemen 2" exclaimed the
| judge in some surprise: Il
1--WE can't agree" said the foreman.
''Then you had better retire." was
| the curt rejOinder. .- III
The jury at once filed out of tire box
and followed an official to the room set
apart for them.
:'Come, Mr.. Maydue.' said the for
man, addressing an elderly gentleman
| of benevolent appearance, you are the
| only dissentient. We can add a rider
recommending the boy to mercy, but,
| on the evidence, we must find him
| guilty."
:Certainly," added Silas Marston. in
| his most severe tone. 1.-THE prisoner
has broken the law, aud he must suf-
fer the penalty. He ought to, consider
himself fortunate that he is living at
the end of the nineteenth century. 1t
is not so long since the penalty for
forgery was DEATH"
Mr.. Maydue turned upon hira in
great Indignation.
''For shame, sir! I thank God that
those horrible days are past. And you,
sir, ought to thank your maker for
giving you different father to, the
brute who brought this poor boy into
the world. I say lie ought not to be
made responsible and refuse to con-
vict him. Gentlemen" he went on
addressing the jury generally, for Silas
Marston avoided his gaze, II ask you
to acquit the prisoner in mercy to- tho
miserable wretch who turned him
adrift, for it you do not, nothing will
save that man from condemnation
when he stands before the Great Judge
on the last day" PaUsing, he laid his
hand on Silas Marston's shoulder, and,
gain addressing him, said: ':Are you
a father?' ...
''Yes,'' faltered the wretched man
He was not prepared for Mr.. Mayaue's
| sudden attack, and the armOr of colo
self-righteousness and self-approwal i'm
which he had so long encaSed' himself
was anything but proof.
II find! it hard to believe you,'' Mr..
Mayfue rejoined. s'But if you really
have child, picture it in the prisoners
and let your heart incline to mercy
Siias Marston sat down and covered
his face with his hands. He was be-
| ginning to awake. tE-
''Frends,'' Mr.. Maydue resumed,
turning to his fellow-jurymen, Il ask
you to find this boy not guilty Let
him have another chance. Be more
mercifnI than his miserable father.
Let that wretch answer for his neglect
and cruelty himself. Do not let US do
anything that will constrain us to
stand beside him when he is called to
account. Temper justice with mercy,
and let the boy 60"
you plead we'll, SIR" said the fore
man of the jury, "but I am of Mr.
! Marston's opinion. The boy is guilty,
and it is our duty to find him so. Mer-
| cy is the judges prerogative. The
most we can do is to recommend it,
Are YOU i'll, sir?"
The question was addressed to SilaS
Marston. He lifted his head. His
mouth and eyelids were twitching The
could not answer. At last lie was
| aWake:.
| 'sMr:, Marston is Ill., the foreman
| went ON. Comet Let US settle this
matter and go home Now, Mr.. May
due, eleven of us are in favor Of con-
! Viction--''
mo. no. Interrupted NIr. NIars1on,
in great agitation.
What! Has he won you over?"
eyes. God help and forgive me! I
am the boys father. All Mr.. Maydue
| has, said is true. drove him away
from home. I failed in my duty Let
him CO.. I implore your
The, tears were streaming down Silas
Narston's face now. His stubborn will
was broken. Mr.. Maydue broke the
long silence which followed that
amazing appeal.
What is the verdict to be?' he
asked.