Sartaroe; A Tale of Norway

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 edition. Excerpt: ...might arrive. If they thought there was any reasonable doubt of the guilt of the prisoner, he need scarcely inform them that it was their duty to give the prisoner the benefit of that doubt, and to lean to the side of mercy. With the former good character and disposition of the accused, they had nothing to do. It was not to be taken into consideration by them. But as this testimony in favor of the prisoner's character had been given by several persons, who had known him from childhood--among others, by his (the baron's) revered and esteemed friend, the pastor of Tunes--it would be taken into consideration when sentence came to be pronounced--supposing that a verdict were found against the prisoner. If, on the contrary, they should, after due consideration, come to a conclusion favorable to tho accused, ho (the judge) would rejoice at it, inasmuch as not only would a painful duty be spared him, but a vast amount of domestic misery would be spared the prisoner's friends. With these remarks, he dismissed them to their consultation, bidding them remember that they had a duty to perform to God, and to the laws of their country, as well as to the unhappy prisoner at the bar. The jury retired to the room appropriated to them, and the judges entered into conversation together respecting the case which had just been tried. The low buzz of whispered conversation resounded in a continuous hum throughout the courtroom. The general impression was, that the prisoner would be found guilty of murder, and the subject of whispered conversation was the penalty which would be attached to his crime. Some of the sterner spectators regretted that the death-penalty had been abolished. A crime such as that committed by the prisoner, apart from its great atrocity, would...