Off-Hand Sketches
OFF-HAND SKETCHES A little dashed with humour By T. S. Arthur PHILADELPHIA: 1851. PREFACE.
things, the knowledge of which has just come to me. It seems I was
poisoned, but of course that doesn't matter. I feel no resentment
against the wretch who did it. But the terrible thing is that my wife
has been arrested for the crime, and I have just learned that her own
lawyers actually believe her guilty."
"That fact," said Ferris, calmly, "will not interfere with their
eloquent pleading when the case comes to trial."
Brenton glared at the man who was taking things so coolly, and who
proved himself so unsympathetic; but an instant after he realized the
futility of quarrelling with the only person who could give him advice,
so he continued, with what patience he could command--
"The situation is this: My wife has been arrested for the crime of
murdering me. She is now in the custody of the sheriff. Her trouble and
anxiety of mind are fearful to contemplate."
"My dear sir," said Ferris, "there is no reason why you or anybody else
should contemplate it."
"How can you talk in that cold-blooded way?" cried Brenton, indignantly.
"Could you see _your_ wife, or any one _you_ held dear, incarcerated for
a dreadful crime, and yet remain calm and collected, as you now appear
to be when you hear of another's misfortune?"
OFF-HAND SKETCHES A little dashed with humour By T. S. Arthur PHILADELPHIA: 1851. PREFACE.