The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-04


TO tho court.
II understand" ho said, "that tho pris-
oncr was sent away from homo only Il few
months ago to sink or swim. Ho had dis
oboyod his father, man of considerable
means who turned him out of doors. do
not envy that mars feelings when no
learns tho consequences of his unnatural
conduct and L maintain, gontlemcn of tho
jury, that 1t is ho who should DO standing
In tho dock and not his son."
Silns Marston cast down his cyos.
Tho prisoner" continued tho learned
gentleman, "when ON tho brink of stnrva-
ton, foil in with u man, whose nano has
been mentioned, and who may yet have to
answer for his share in this crimo. For
motives Of his own, this man took pity ON
him and fed him. 1t was ho who induced
him to apply to tho prosecutors for tho
situation of GRAND boy under nh alias,
and 1t was IN obedience to his command
that tho accused obtained tho blank checks
md letters bearing tho necessary sigma
lures. Tho prisoner could not refuse. His
gratitude forbade.
"Thnt the boys nature Is honorable and
scrupulous have proof. His father turned
him out of doors to starve, yet I havo
failed to persuade him to reveal that stony
hearted fathers nnmo and address. Ho
has refused to bring disgrace upon his I'M
natural parent by revealing his own name
to his counsel. I have nothing moro to
add, gentlemen, except to ask you to tako
into account all tho circumstances of this
case. If tho acouscd's father-tho real
criminal-could be called Us witness, it
would rcliovo my feelings to examine
him"
Ho sat down. Tho judge summed up
in n sentence and turned to tho jury, rs
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 tho discussion. Ho had
written his verdict on n slip of paper and
handed 1t to tho foreman. 1t was
guilty" Having done his duty he had
apparently no further interest in the mat
tor
well, gentlcmcn?" exclaimed the Judge
In some surprise.
''Wc can't agree" said the foreman.
Then you had better retire" was tho
curt rejoindcr
Tho jury at once filed out of tho box
and followed nh official to tho room set
apart for them.
Come, Mr.. Mayduc," said the fore
man, addressing an elderly gentleman of
benevolent appearance, you arc tho only
dissonticnt. We can add Il rider recon-
mcnding the boy to mercy, but on tho owl
dencc we must find him guilty"
Certainly" added Silas Mnrston in
his most severe tone. "The prisoner has
broken the law, and he must suffer tho
penalty. He ought to consider himself
fortunate that ho is living at tho end of
the nineteenth century. 1t is not so long
since tho penalty of forgery was death"
Mr.. Mayduo turned upon him in great
indignation.
For shame, sir! I thank God TINT
those horrible days arc past And you,
Sir, ought to thank your Maker for giving
you different father from the bruto who
brought this poor boy into tho world.
say hc ought not to DO made responsible
and L refuse to convict him. Gentlemen,
no went on, addressing tho jury generally
for Silas Marston avoided his gaze, ~ ask
you to acquit the prisoner in mercy to tho
miserable wretch who turned him adrift,
for If you do not nothing will save. that
man from condemnation when he stands
before tho Great Judge on tho last dny."
Pausing, ho laid his hand on Silas Mars
tons shoulder and again addressed him,
Arc you fathcr, sir5"
Yes, faltcrcd the wretchcd man. He
was not prepared for Mr. Maydue's sudden
attack, and the armor of cold self right
SS'''N"''' hi'N sui hDpTONul III WHICH ne
had so long incased himself was anything
but proof
II find 1t hard to believe YOU" Mr..
Mayduc rcjoined. "But If you really have
child picture it in tho prisoners place
ana let your heart incline to mercy"
ollaS Marston sat down and covered his
face with his hands. He was beginning
to awake.
Friends" Mr.. Mayduo resumed turn
ing to his fellow jurymon, ~ ask YOU to
lind this boy not guilty. Let him hnvo
another chance. BE moro merciful than
his miserable father. Let that wretch an
swcr for his neglect and cruelty himself
Don't let us do anything that may con-
strain us to stand beside him when no is
called TO account. Temper Justice with
mercy and let the boy co.
You plead well, sir" answered tho
foreman, "but I am of Mr. Marston's
opinion. The boy is guilty, and it is our
duty to find him SO. Mercy is tho judges
prcrogativc. The lHost wo can do is to rec
ommcnd it, Are you i'll, STRIP
Tho question was addressed to Silas
Marston. Hc lifted his head His mouth
and oyclids were twitching. Ho could not
answer. At last ho was awake
Mr.. Marston is i'll, the foreman won't
on. Comet Let us settle this matter and
go homo. Now, Mr.. Mayduo, IL of us are
in favor of n conviction"-
mo, nor interrupted Silas Marston in
great agitation,
What! Has he won you overp"
"Yos. God help and forgive me! 1 am
tho boys father. All Mr.. Maydue has said
is truo. drove him from home. failed
In my duty Lot him CO. implore youl''
The tears wcre streaming down Silas
Marston's face now. His stubborn will
was broken. Mr. Mayduo broke the long
silence which followed that amazing up
peal.