o
mention the matter. This testimony explains where the defendant obtained
his money, and why he declined to tell where he got it. The material
facts are all elicited."

Not only Squire Ward, but many others in the room, were very anxious to
know why this silence had been imposed upon me. There was something dark
about it, and the people were not satisfied. Squire Fishley was
troubled, and, though my lawyer, who seemed to understand the matter,--I
had told him nothing,--had influence enough to save him from any
exposure, yet he was not content to leave the dark point in its present
obscurity.

"There does not seem to be any good reason for this concealment," added
the justice.

"All the essential facts have come out, your honor," said Squire
Pollard.

"I wish to explain it fully," interposed the senator, very much to my
surprise. "Since this event, I have been elected president of a total
abstinence society. I took the pledge two months ago, on my return home
from Torrentville."

"What has this to do with the case?" demanded the justice, impatiently.

"I will explain," resumed the senator. "I had never been in the habit of
drinking more than one glass of intoxicating liquor in a day; but
meeting some friends on the steamer, I exceeded my limit. In a word, I
was somewhat intoxicated when I fell into the river, and this was the
reason why I wished to conceal the facts. The events of that night made
me a total abstinence man, and with God's help I will never taste the
intoxicating cup again."

"Ah, indeed!" said the magistrate.

Squire Fishley stepped down from the stand, wiping the perspiration from
his brow. After this humiliating confession, I think there was not a man
present who did not respect and honor him for his manly acknowledgment.

"There appears not to be a particle of evidence against the defendant,"
said Squire Pollard. "I move that he be discharged."

I was discharged.

My friends gathered around me, as the court broke up, to congratulate me
on the happy event. Clarence was satisfied, and how warmly Emily
Goodridge pressed my trembling hand! In my heart I thanked God for this
issue. Captain Fishley seemed to be stunned by the result; and Mrs.
Fishley, who came in after the examination commenced, "wanted to know!"
Ham was confounded; and as he was moving out of the office, the
post-office agent placed a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

My junior tyrant looked ghastly pale when he was conducted