man from the shelter and forced
her to wander in the night air with her sick child--her starving babes.
He--the _extortioner_"--continued Harry, with every feature expressing
the utmost scorn, "turned her from the wretched home she had found here,
and left her to die on the sidewalks, like the veriest beggar. No touch
of pity for the child, no feeling of sorrow for the innocent angel, no
thought of the patriot lingering in prison, ever entered the mind of the
extortioner. There was nothing but _self_ then, nothing but the
promptings of his own avarice, which could view with indifference the
miseries of others, so long as they should redound to his own benefit
and aggrandizement. I tell you that man dare not deny a word I utter. He
knows that every one is true, and if my language could wither him with
shame, could make him the detestation of the world, I would speak yet
stronger, for pity to him is but contempt for those he has injured.

"Thus thrust out of home and shelter, the helpless mother conveyed her
fainting child to a negro's cabin and there revived it. The next
morning she once more called upon her accuser and petitioned him for
help. He again refused to aid her, although informed that the money
was intended to procure medical aid for her sick child, until at last,
wearied of her importunities, he handed her the pitiful sum of _one
dollar_! This was not sufficient for the purpose she desired, and she
was about turning away in despair when her eye lit on a package of
notes lying on the safe. Remember, gentlemen, what I have told you.
She was penniless and friendless. Her child was ill and she had no
means to procure medical aid. Her appeal for charity had been
rejected, and can we blame her if she yielded to the tempter and took
the money lying before her? We cannot. Look not on the act, gaze only
on the provocation. If in hearts there dwells a shade of pity, an acme
of sympathy, you cannot return a verdict of guilty. She is not guilty
of theft! I unhesitatingly assert, that if to act as she has, and
under the circumstances she acted, be theft, then such a thief would I
become to-morrow; and in my own conscience, of the opinions of the
world and confident in the forgiveness of an Almighty Father, would I
commit such a theft as she has--just such an offence. I pleaded 'not
guilty,' and it may surprise you that in the face of such a plea, I
should acknowledge that she took the money. Again I repeat my plea.
She is