The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-07-28

r a witnesss testified that some one had
gone to the bed room of the housekeeper
: on the night in 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 had been seized
with one on that occasion, and had gone
) to her to procure her assistance in light
: ing fire. She had returned with him
to his room for that purpose, he having
waited for minute in the passage, while
she put on her clothes. This would ac-
count for the momentary disappearance
Of the light. After remaining few min
utes in his room, finding himself better,
he had dismissed her and retired to bed,
from which he had not risen, when in
formed of the death of his guest.
Such was the prisoners address, which
produced powerful effect. 1t was de-
livercd in a very firm and impressive
tone, and from tho simple and artless
manner of the man, perhaps not one pres
ent doubted his entire innocence The
housekeeper was now introduced and cx-
amined by counsel for the prisoner. She
had not heard any part of the statement
of Smith, nor single word of the trial
To this succeeded her cross examina-
ton by the counsel for the prosecution
One circumstance made deep impression
on his mind-this was, that while the
prisoner and the housekeeper were in tho
room of the former, something like a
door had obstruted the light of the can
die, SO that the witness testified to the
fact, but could not see it. What was the
obstruction? There was no door-noth-
ing in the room which could account for
this. Yet the witness is positive that
something like door did, for a moment
come between the window and the candle.
This needed explanation. The house
keeper was the only person that could
give it. Designing to probe this matter
in the end to the bottom, but not wishing
to excite her alarm, he began by asking
her few unimportant questions; and a.
mong others where the candle stood while
she was in Smiths room?
In the centre of the room,' she replied.
well, and was the closet or cupboard,
or whatever you call it, opend once or
twice while it stood therc!'
She made no reply.
4 will help your recollection, said the
counsel.
after Mr.. Smith had taken the medi-
cine out of the closet, did he shut the
door, or did it rem ain open!'
'He shut it.
and when he replaced tho bottle in
the closet, he opened it again, did he?'
HE did
and how long was it open the last
timer
Not above minute
well, and when open, would the door
be exactly between the light and the
window?'
1T would
Il forget said tho counsel, whether
you said the closet was on the right hand
or the left hand side of the Window"
'On the left hand side'
would the door of the closet make any
noise in opening?
None
Are you certain
Il am
Have you ever opened it yourself, or
only seen Mr.. Smith open it,
4 never opened it myself
Did you never keep the key?'
Never
'Who did?'
'Mr. Smith always
At this moment the housekeeper chan
ced to cast her eyes towards Smith, the
prisoner. A cold, damp sweat stood up
on his brow, and his face had lost all its
color; he appeared living image of death.
She no sooner saw him than she shricked
and tainted. The consequences of her
answers flashed across her mind She
had been so thoroughly deceived by the
manner of the advocate, and by the little
Importance he seemed to attach to her
statements, that she had been led by one
question to another, till she had told him
all be wanted to know.
She was obliged to be taken from the
court, and physician who was present
was requested to attend to her. At this
time the solicitor for the prosecution left
the court, but no one knew for what pur
pose. Presently the physician came into
court and stated that it would be impos-
sible for the housekeeper to resume her
scat in the box short of an hour or two.
It was about twelve in the day. Lord
Mansfield having directed that the jury
should be accommodated with q room
where they could be kept by themselves,
adjourned tho court two hours. The
prisoner in the meantime was remanded
to jail.
1t was between four and FIVE o'clock
when the judge resumed his seat upon
the bench. The prisoner was again
placed at the bar and the housekeeper
brought in and led to the box. The court
room was crowded to excess, and IN aw-
ful silence pervaded the place.
The cFoss-examining counsel again ad-
dressed the houaekeeper.
Il have but few more questions to
ask YOU said he; take heed how you an