The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-04-18

800, ueClluB lne sun
EESYspStpsS rays. The district
G&S. MIN attorney summing
&sMSNSM~$M%pSN up had been forci-
%N@NSESSss9| BILE and convinc-
N%NN ing; that Of the de-
!ense weak and wavering The Judges
charge clearly indicated his unfalter-
ing belief in the prisoners guilt and
orr duty in rendering verdict ac-
cording to the facts.
But twenty-four hours had passed,
and we still sat in the close jury room.
through the hottest July weather.
Eleven to one. So it had stood on
the first ballot; SO, despite entreaty
and reproach, it stood on the last.
The evidence in the case-that of n
man accused of brutal and blood
thirsty murder for gain-was purely
circumstautial, yet with every proof
fitting into each other with such ex-
actuess, so overwhelming i'll iniuutin
OF detail, that had one witnessed the
deed 1T would scarcely have been more
convincing
From our window we could see the
sun sinking a second time to his king
Iy rest, hot and lurid in the heavens,
giving promise of another torrid night.
Great drops of perspiration stood on
the mems brOws, where angry fruwns
had gathered; inpatience was rising
almost to threatenings, when the
twelfth man who had stood out so
long-a man whose hair was gray.
though he could not yet have mum
beled forty years-rose in his seat.
and all eyes turned-expectantiy upon
him.
Gentlemen" he began, 'the I'M
fortunate ciTcum stances in which |
am placed compel me TO unclose q page
In my history upon which | had for
ever set seal. [ have been already
forced into a position which leads You
to suppose me almost criminnlly oh.
stinate, aud nave tried yUnr patience
to an uubeara5le degree; yet L ask
you to be patient little longer; as
laying aside my own feelings in the
matter, I will state as briefly as pos
sible the solution of the enigma.
Fifteen years ago, l started for
tho Far West, believing that, with
honest, energetic industry, 1 could
find no better field for therealizIng of
my youthful ambitions. Disappoint-
ment after disappointment met and
overlook me. The crops I sowed
failed; the fruits l planted early frosls
bli8hted; cat sickened and died.
and | grew hOme-sick and weary OF
the struggle.
at was at this time"-for n mo-
ment he paused, and in the twilight I
fancied the pallor deepened on his
face-'that ] met the woman destined
TO be my fate She was the daughter
OF the physician in our little settle
ment, "a bright, cOmely girl, whose
beauty won all hearts, since it was
the beauty Of the soul, her azure eyes
it's windows.
she had been unused TO luxury.
but comforts were not wanting in her
fathers home; and J, a'asl / could
not even offer these.
Day after day I learned to love her.
until I begrudged every hour spent
out Of her presence, though these
were necessarily many. those baskinQ
IN the sunshine OF her smiles the few.
Sometimes I fancied her eyes
frightened at my coming, or saddened
when ] left her; but no confession OF
ny love escaped my lips. knew
too we'll its hopelessness. grew
jealous Of her every smile, morbid i'm
my lonely musings, and recalled, with
apathetic wonder the ambitions
which once bad stirred me. aud my
belief in their becoming reality.
1T was at this juncture that re-
ceived q letter from an old school
friend. stating his intention Of comins
20 Join me, exchanging his capital foi
my experience.
"Once more my ambitions and my
hopes revived. With money 7 coul,
bring many plan TO successful exc
cution, and perhaps, ere long, be abb,
20 provide q nest for tho bird I wonl,
capture.
''A few weeks later, returning from
long walk, / found my friend await
ing me, and our bands met in that cor
dial haud-clasp which means so much
Midnight still found ms c'oseted 90
gether, eagerly discussing our future
aud when at last, we babe each othe
goodnight, it was with a silent re