Year: 1861

ohCL sOhClHilS III ''"'9'''Hh VI ms pun
ishment.'


That Is true replied the Judge, ant
for that purpose l will grant you the ad
'journment'


80, sir, I beg you will not cried the
prisoner very earnestly, rising to his feet
and extending his hands toward the bench
entreatingly. My previous life is be
yond reproach. My parents and friends
are honest and high-l1i led. Ny con
nections are all honorable


Then you need not be ashamed o.
them,' said the prosecutor, sarcasiically


Ashamed of them' repeated the
young man with an accent Of surprise
I desire, sir, not to have them ashamed
of me- And for that reason | would not
avail myself of their aid, if l knew it
would diminish my punishment to the
shortest period-nay, not even if it would
insure me a suspension Of judgment.


L am thinking he would not object II
the inquiry were likely to result in any
thing to his credit, said the officer of the
district, directing his remark to the Court.


Il have no desire to retort in my cir
cumstauces, replied the prisoner, also ad-
dressing the Court. Bat do assure
your honor that | would rather drag out
five of the best years of nay existence in
a lonesome dungeon, than have one of
my friends know tha. | had ever been
even suspected of crime


AT first felt little chagrined because
of this unexpected Interruption, when
my desire was to gain time for prepara-
ton, which if it failed to secure the ac-
quit.al Of the prisoner might rebound
greatly TO my own advantage. My yex-
alton was only momentary, however, fer
l perceived that the earnest protestations
of the prisoner had made deep impress
sion upon the spectators, and that | bad
only to keep up their sympathy to the
end of the trial, however it might termi-
nate, 10 realize all the advantages that
could have resulted from a preparation.


4 think you had better proceed said
the Judge, who comprehended my mo-
tives and perceived the state of feeling
among the auditory. He was one OF
those men who delight to AID young men
in their laudable aspirations. Alas
there are too few such upon the bench at
the present day.


Your honor will at,,least allow me a
few moments conversation with the pris-
oner?' l inquired with despairful ac-
cent


Undoubtedly


In making this request I had in view
no definite object beyond a desire to at
tract the attention Of the speciators.-
But as / turned from the Court to the
prisoner, my eye caught glimpse of the
humorous countenance Of Father Miles,
and ! instantly thought of what he con-
sidered the first duty of a lawyer.


Immediately cast my eyes around
the bar as if in search of place where
might converse with the prisoner un-
heard but it was everywhere fall and in
some places crowded. There was not
the slightest opportunity. Perceiying
this, | motioned the young man to follow
me, and walked directly into the lobby
But here the crowd was even greater than
within the bar, and curiosity much more
intense. The only vacant space was at
the door, which was double, opening
lengthwise at the middle, one half OF
which stood open and the other halt
closed.


When passed into the lobby looked
on each side of the passage, as if in
search of a suitable place for conversa-
ton, My purpose, had it not been an
nounced, could not have been mistaken.
But every person, even the Court con-
stables, seemed to be too much engaged
in thoughts or remarks of their own TO
observe any approach to the entrance
In truth, 1t alone afforded the desired OPP
portunity, and all appeared to regard my
action as necessary.


AT the door placed myself between
the prisoner and the people, and opened
a conversation, the purport of which was
plain enough to all whose position could
command view of the door Father
Miles was among the number, and man
ifested such delight as to divide the at
tentiOn Of the curious spectators between
US and himself


"What is your name 2" l inquired.


You DO not hope to effect my liberia
ton"


Hardly" Ireplied.


"Then it is John Smith" he answered.
81 have no other if l am obliged to un-
dergo punishment"


Where do you reside ?" / continued.


"For the same reason that has induced
me to withhold my name," he replied, 81
must also decline TO answer this qaes-