I thought those reasons sufficient, and have seen no cause for changing my opinion." After the evidence for the prosecution had been given, the counsel for the defence pointed out that there was, in fact, no evidence whatever connecting Reuben with the robbery, beyond the discovery of his tools on the premises; and that, as to this trumpery story of the poisoning a dog, four years before, apparently only for the purpose of showing some sort of animus, he regarded it as altogether contemptible.

When a man meant to commit a burglary in a house, he did so in order to obtain possession of the goods, and not from any spite against the owner.

Had this young fellow felt any malice, for this ridiculous charge on which he had been dismissed, he would not have allied himself with burglars to rob the house; but would probably have vented his spite in the usual fashion, by setting fire to a stack or outhouse; but so far as he could see, there was no foundation for the charge brought against him, and they had already heard Mr.Ellison declare that he regretted he had suspected him, and that he believed him to be innocent.
But even had it been proved, up to the hilt, that the prisoner had poisoned the dog, he should still hold it as wholly unconnected with the present matter.

If he had poisoned the dog, what then?
It was not a heinous sin, nor would it affect his moral character.

No boy likes having a piece taken out of his calf by a savage dog, and there would have been nothing so very dreadful had he revenged himself.