The Black Forge Mills

by William P. Chipman

Mr. Eaton sprang to his feet. "Wait a moment, sir," he said to Mr. Woodhull. "I believe you are a witness for the prosecution, and as such I have my right of cross-examination." As no one could deny this right, he proceeded:

"You have stated, sir, that the boy, from his arrival home on Saturday, until his arrest in the evening, seemed troubled about something. Do you know any reason, apart from participating in this burglary, why he should have seemed so?"

"I object to that question," cried the little attorney, struggling to his feet.

"Your honor," said Mr. Eaton, "the prosecution has taken care to show us that this lad was not himself on his return home; that for some unknown reason he seemed troubled and agitated. Of course, their inference is that he was guilty of the crime he now stands charged with, and that this accounts for the strangeness in his appearance and demeanor. I only wish to show that there was sufficient reason for this behavior without any such supposition as that of his guilt."

"The objection is not sustained," said the judge; and Mr. Woodhull gave his answer:

"I believe there was a threefold reason why the boy should have been troubled. First of all, he was chagrined that I was obliged to do his work that morning, a thing that had never happened before since he came to Long Point Farm; again, he was troubled because he had lost his coat in a way wholly unaccountable to himself or any one else; and, finally, he had recognized the piece of cloth in Captain Gardiner's hand as extremely like the material of which his lost coat was made. And as his name was on his coat, he thought it more than probable, if it were found about the wharf where he had last seen it, it might lead to his arrest. And even if he were innocent, he had no desire to be arrested for the crime, and have half of the town of Afton believe him guilty. I don't wonder the boy was troubled. I should have been in his case."

"One more question, sir. You have employed the lad for some time; what has been his character since he has been with you?"

"Unexceptionable; I do not know how any one could have done better. Several times he has been trusted with sums of money twice the amount of this theft, and under circumstances when he could, had he so chosen, have run away with it beyond hope of recovery; but there has never been any indication or act on his part that has led me for a moment to distrust him," replied Mr. Woodhull, warmly and emphatically.

The prosecution now rested its case, and the defense began. The first witness called was Ray himself. He promptly took the oath, and then, in clear and distinct tones, told his story. He admitted that he wore on Friday evening a coat of the same material as the one presented there in the court room; "but," said he, "I can readily convince you all that this is not the coat. As Mr. Woodhull has said, my coat had my name on it, and was not mended on the right side, as this is. Again, it does not fit me, as you see." And with a quick movement, he raised the coat from the table, and slipped it on over the one he was already wearing. Then, turning so that all could see how it hung in folds about him, and holding up his hands, over which the coat sleeves fell, completely hiding them, he asked, with a smile: "Did I look like that when I entered the prayer room Friday evening, or even when I came into your store, Mr. Shephard?" The effect of this object lesson was irresistible, and a hearty laugh was heard all over the room.

He now, with the whole audience suddenly brought into sympathy with him, went on with his story. He told how he had lost his coat, and was obliged to go up to Mr. Carleton's with the old ragged one on that he was seen wearing the next morning. He spoke in detail of his coming down to his boat about midnight, and of his falling asleep in his cuddy. "How I slept through the night without hearing anything of the burglars, I can only explain," he said, "by stating that I was very tired, and by the fact that they probably made as little noise as possible. It was after six o'clock when I awoke, and I did look around the pile of lumber, as Captain Gardiner has testified, but I was looking for my lost coat. I also went up to the store when I heard the commotion, and was there when the piece of cloth so like the material of my coat was found. I admit I was frightened, for I thought the robbers had perhaps found my coat and used it as a blind. This was what troubled me; but I did not dread the arrest so much for myself, for I knew I was innocent." Then, with some hesitation, "I did dread it, however, because I knew a great many in Afton did not believe I was a Christian, and would at once say I was a hypocrite, and thus I should be made to dishonor Christ, or, at least, would become a stumbling block in the way of some who might otherwise accept him, and I couldn't bear that." And the boy burst into tears. Nor were his the only wet eyes in that audience just then.