Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-08-01


God to witness the truth of what le'aid.
And then, as TO Mr. Thompson, he vas per.
feet stranger to him. How should he know
what article of value he had' he did not |
know. If he had such articles at HnRhe might
have lost them on the road, or, whlchEas more
probable, have otherwise disposed n them.-
And if he died by means OF the tataldrug, he
must have administered it himself
lie begged the Jury to rcmemboi that his
premises had been repeatedly and infinitely
searched, and not the most trifing gicle that
belonged to the deceased had been dscoyered
in his possession. The stopper Of ahial had
been found-but of this he could ony say he
had no knowledge, and had never scent before
it was produced in Court
One fact had been proved and only ohe.-
That lie would explain, and his honekeeper
would confirm his statement. witness had
testified that some one had gone to the bd dlroom
of the housekeeper on the night 10 question:
He was ready to admit that it was he himself
He had been subject, for many years of his
life, to sudden fits of illness he Ind been seiz.
ed with one on that occasion, and had gone to
herto procure her assistance in lighting fire.
She had returned with hun to his ioom for that
purpose, he having waited for minute in the
passage while she put on her cGhes. This
would account for the momentary lisapperance
of the light After remaining Il few minutes in
his room, finding himself better, he had dismiss
ed her, and retired to bed from wiich he had
not risen, when he was informed of flhe Geath of
the guest.
Such was the prisoners address which pro-
duccd powerful effect. 1t was devered in
very firm and impressive manner, md from the
simple and artess manner of the nan, perhaps
no one present doubted his entire innocence.
The bDusekecper was now inttduced, and
examined by the counsel for the prioner She
had not heard any part of the satement Of
Smith, nor single word of the trial Her story
confirmed all he said.
To this succeeded her cross examination, by
the counsel for the prosecution. One circum-
stance had made deep impression on his mind
this was, that while the prisonet and the
hOusekeeper were in the room of The former.
something like door had obstructel the light
Of the candle, SO that the witness tetified to th'
fact, but could not see it. What wa she ob
structiaa p a here ssss Go do,p--a.s. "a.
room which could account for this. Yet the wit
ness was positive that something like door
did, for moment, come between the window
and the candle. This needed cxplabation.-
The housekeeper was the only person that coulC
give it. Designing to probe this matter, in til,
end, to the bottom, but not wishing TO eXcitt
her alarm, he began by asking her few unim
portant questions, and among others, where tn,
candle stood while she was in Mr.. Smith room
ain the centre of room," she replied
"Well, was the closet or cupboard Or what
eyer you call it, opened once Or twice while
stood there"
She made no reply
"IWnl help your recollection" said tn
counsel. "Aftcr Mr.. Smith had taken the med
icne out OF the closet, did he shut The door, o
did it remain opon?"
"He shut it,"
, "And when he replaced the bottle in tn
h closet, he opened it again. did he y
Q "Ie did"
And how long was it open the fast time :"
= Not above a minute"
$ Well, and when open, would lho door b
d exactly between the light and the findow?"
e 1t would"
$ :" forget" said the counsel, 'fhciher yo
d said the closet was on the rlghtIOr left han
if side of window"
,. "On the left hand side"
d Would the door of the close make m
a noise in openng"
Il "None."
|. "Are you certain ?"
81 am"
Have you ever opend it yopscf Or onl
l. seen Mr. Smith open it z"
5, 81 never opened it myself"
$ "Did you ever keep the key?'f
e "Never."
T. "Who did?"
g "Mr Smith always"
At this moment the housekeepar CHANGED t
e cast her eyes towards Smith, tie prisoner
IS His countenance suddenly charged. A cole
if damp sweat stood upon his brow and his fac
rt had lost all lis color; he aPpearfd living in
ir age of death.
Is She no sooner saw him, than she shrcke
and tainted. The consequence pf her answer
J. flashed across her mind. She had been s
d thoroughly deceived by the maj hner of tho NJ
s. vocate, and by the little imp9Hnnce he ha
1T seemed to attach to her statements that she ba
.. been led on by one question to fOother, till sh
e had told hem all he wanted to know.
h She was obliged to be taken from the Cour
e and physician, who was present, was request
n ed to attend her. At this time the solicitor "a
= the prosecution answering to our States ato
is ney) left the Court, but no one knew for wh,
1t purpose. Presently, the physician came int
the Court, and stated that it would be impossible
t, for the bousekeeper to resume ber seat in tb
-. box short of an hour or two.
K 1t was almost twelve in the day. Lord Man,
d field, having directed that the Jury should h
/, accommodated with room where they coul
?. be kept by themselves, adjourned the Court tw
It hours. The prisoner, inthe meantime, was r,
Y manded TO Jail.
e 1t was between four and FIVE O'clock, wbe
~ the Judge resumed his seat upon tho hanob