He who hath formed the heart, knoweth its intent and purpose, and to Him I felt willing to commit my cause.

True, the court might convict, imprison, and transport me away from my helpless family of five small children; if so, I was determined they should punish an innocent man.

Nevertheless, it was a dark time; I was not only saddened and perplexed, but my spirit was grieved, and I felt like one "wounded in the house of his friends,"-- ready to cry out, "had it been an enemy I could have borne it," but to be arraigned, for the _first_ time in my life, as a _criminal_, by one of the very people I had spent my substance to benefit, was extremely trying.

Guiltless as I knew myself to be, still, I was aware that many incidents had transpired, which my enemies could and would construe to my disadvantage; moreover, Lewis had money, which he would freely distribute to gain his point right or wrong, and to get me out of his way.
In due time the trial came on, and I was to be tried for _theft_! Lewis had reported all through the settlement that on a certain time I had called at his house, and from a bundle of papers which his wife showed me, I had purloined the note, which had caused me so much trouble.

To prove this it was necessary to get his wife to corroborate the statement.