Alexandria Gazette

Generosity of the Philad. Bar.

Yesterday a case of extreme hardship was brought to the notice of Judge King. A young girl was convicted of the larceny of a sum of money under peculiar circumstances. Nearly two years since a boarder in her father's house missed a small sum of money out of his trunk, which she confessed to have taken under the supposition that it belonged to her father. The parents of the defendant had promised to restore the property, but were prevented most probably from doing so in consequence of their poverty. A short time since the girl was married to a respectable young man, when the prosecutor commenced proceedings against her. The mother of the girl was forced to appear against her in the performance of a sacred but painful duty, and it was most likely her testimony that influenced the jury in rendering a verdict of guilty.

Judge King said that he had reflected deeply upon the case, and had determined upon passing a nominal sentence, believing that the ends of public justice would be better satisfied than if the severity of the law were inflicted upon her. He then decreed that she pay a fine of one cent, restore the property, and undergo twenty-four hours' imprisonment. A member of the bar arose and said, that he was sure that his brethren around him would raise the money on the spot, if the Court would withhold its sentence for the present. The sum was about $50, and the whole of it was in the space of three minutes obtained—the officers of the Commonwealth throwing off their costs at the same time. After the money had been thus raised, the prosecutor stepped forward, and positively refused to touch a penny of the money, and desired that the utmost leniency be extended to the unfortunate prisoner—Phila. Ledger.