Beadle's Dime Novels No. 38: The Wrong Man — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VERDICT AND SENTENCE. 93 ask you, I say, to consider these, gentlemen. "Twere a vain ask. But, doubtless, beyond a peradventure, you have con- sidered them; and, without any further circumlocution, or debate, or ammadversion, I submit the case, knowing, gentle- men, knowing, gentlemen, I say, that your magnanimous con- Sciences will not allow you to deviate from the great and glorious path of rectitude.” Mr. Seroggs sat down in a halo of glory, slightly diluted with saw-dust, while the jury and audience looked upon him with as much reverence as they would upon George Washing- ton, bad he at that moment appeared among them. Dudley attempting no reply, the Judge arose to charge the jury. “Gentlemen of the Jury,” said he, “after the learned, elo- quent and forcible speech of Mr. Scroggs, the counsel for the prosecution, it is hardly necessary for me to say any thing. ou think the prisoner ain’t guilty of the crime laid against which I know you can’t think—why, all you got to do say so, and Jet him go about like a raging lion, seeking he may devour. But, if you think him guilty—which know you must—say so, and I'll sentence him on the spot. That's all.” The jury whispered together a moment, and then the fore- man arose. | “ Have you agreed upon a verdict ?” asked the Judge. “We have.” “Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty of the charge laid against him ?” “ Gurtry.” “Sounds right. Stand up, Charles Dudley, and receive your sentence. You have been found guilty, and I sentence you to be hung by the neck until you’re dead, three weeks to-day. In the mean time, you will be removed to prison.” The verdict and sentence had been so rapid, and, withal, there had been such an air of absurdity about the trial, that Charles Dudley never, for a moment, realized that he was Under sentence of death. When the sentence was pronounced, he felt a smile creeping over his face, which was not repressed #8 Nathan Dodge, at that moment, caught his glance, and gave & knowing wink and nod, as if to signify that the affair was bY no means settled. comcbooks.com