Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-08-06
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CHAPTER Xxx.


court had convened. Throngs of
people had assembled to witness the
trial. The judge was seated in his
accustomed place, robed in his long,
flowing gown of black, and each law
yer occupied his respective position.
Immediately after the opening OF
the court the sheriff, accompanied by
couple of his deputies, entered with
the prisoner. The sheriff presented
quite an imposing appearance, his
erect form robed in handsome suit
of block, wearing a cooked hat, and
clasping a glittering sword within
the grasp of his right hand. Arnold
appeared the same handsome boy OF
former days; but his happiness was
now buried in the depth of humilia-
ton. He entered the apartment
with slow and measured tread, and
the sheriff ushcrcd him into the
criminals dock, where he was
guarded by officers of the law. Ere
long he became the object of thou
sand curious eyes. Every heart was
affected at the sight of the heart.
broken lad when they observed
the expression settled on his pale
brow, coming from the realization of
the disgrace over shadowing the life
of his aged parents and beloved Her.
When Arnold beheld the great con-
course of people assembled to wit
ness his trial and observed many
familiar faces present.-some his sin
cerest friends, others his bitterest
enemies-his nerves failed him and
his head sank upon his bosom and he
gave way to violent grief. After
covering his face with his pale, white
hands he wept bitterly over his mis-
fortune: "Oh, my dear Heavenly
Father! God of love, of mercy and
justice, why should this shame and
aif1lction fall to my lot? Is it to
punish me for attempting to deprive
myself of the life which now re-
mains one of misery and humiliation ?
Thou, O God, knowest my hands are
not stained with the blood of Irby
Wallace. l am not guilty; there
fore, kind Heavenly Father, l plead
with Thee that Thou mayest put it
into the hearts of Thy people to
realize the truth-that / am inno-
cent. Wilt Thou, O God, permit
me to suffer such intense agony
for the affection | have manifested
toward one Thou hast made so pure,
innocent and beautiful? | have
been taught that Thou, o God, art
love, and protecteth those who in
dulge in such God-like attribute
then wilt Thou not have mercy on
me, Thy most humble servant? |
pray Thee, do not forsake me in my
great afiliction! Shall l, the inno-
cent, suffer to appease an outraged
populace? Why didst Thou not
permit me to die ere this severe
trial ?" Bitter tears flowed in great
streams down his cheeks. "Thc
court Is not aware of the truth as it
is, but Thou, O Father, knowest all
things. | pray Thee reveal the
truth to the world and prove to these
people my innocence"
Her arose from her resort in the
ladies' apartment, connected with the
main court room, and deliberately
crossed the building and proceeded
to the dock, where she sank upon
her knees beside the cage which en-
closed her unfortunate lover. Here,
trembling with emotion, and with
great tears chasing each other down
her cheeks, Her Stephens rendered
a fervent prayer to the God of the
innocent, that her lover might be
delivered from the awful calamity
about to befall him. When the
court observed this lovely creature,
pleading with her God in the agony
of prayer, and heard her rich and
melodious voice, every heart was
touched. Not an eye remained dry
The hearts of stern men relaxed, and
many who had not wept for years
now gave way to grief. Handker-
chiefs were drawn from the pockets
of both gray-bearded men and
youths; but, above all, the heart.
rending sobs of Mr.. and Mrs
Edrones were audible. This was q
scene seldom witnessed in a court OF
justice.
The clerk arose, and, trembling
with emotion, dried the tears from
his moistened cheeks, and with sup.
pressed grief said "Arnold Edrones
if thou answerest to that name, hold
up thy right hand"
Arnold was silent not muscle
did he move, not syllable did he
utter.
The command was repeated; still