Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-08-25
NO. 46.

able, and Lord Mansfield, contrary to bis usual practice, granted it.
 The prisoner went on with his statement.- He sad he wished to go out of the court. re- iieved from the suspicious which were resting upon nm. As to the poison, by means of which the stranger was said to have died, he knew neither the name of it, nor even the existence Of It, until made known by the counsel. He could call God to witness the truth of what he said.
 And then, as to Mir. Thompson, he was per- feet stranger to him. How should he know what article of value he had? He did not know II he had such articles at Hull he might nave lett them on the road, or which was moro prooaoie, have otherwise disposed of them And II he died by means of the fatal drug he must have administered it himself
 lie begged the jury to remember that his premises had been repeatedly and minutely searched, and not the most trifling article that belonged to the deceased had been discovered Tn his possession The stopper of vial had been found--but of this he could only say, he had no knowledge, and had not seen it before it was produced in court
 One fact had been proved, and only one.- That he would explain, and his housekeeper would confirm the statement witness had testihed that some one had gone to the bed | room o1 the housekeeper on the night in ques- ton. He was ready to admit that it was him. self He had been subject for much of his life to sudden fits of illness; he had been seized with one on that occasion, and had gone to procure her assistance in lighting 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 account for the momentary disappear ance of the light. After remaining a few min- uteS in his rom, and 6n1ipr bip,valf bo..or bo had dismissed her and retired to bed. from which he had not risen when he was informed of the death of his guest
 Such was the prisoners address, which pro- duced powerful effect It was delivered in nrm and impressive manner, and from the simple and artless manner of the man, per- haps not one present doubted his entire inno- cence.
 The housekeeper was now introduced and examined by the counsel of the prisoner She had not heard any part of the statement of Smith, nor single word of the trial Her story confirmed all he had said To this succeeded cross examination bv the counsel for the prosecution One circumstance had made deep impression on his mnd-that was, that while the prisoner and the house. Keeper were ln the room of the former, some- thing like door had obstructed the light of the candle, so that the witness testified to the fact. but could not see it. What was this obstruc- ton! There was no door-nothing in the room--which could account for this But the witness was positive that something like door dld for moment come between the window and the candle. This needed expanation.- The housekeeper was the 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 a few unim- DOrtant and tbor ,,l the candle stood when she was in Mr. Smiths room?
 !" In the centre of the room," she replied. WeH was the closet, or cupboard, or what ever you call it, opened once or twice while it stood there?"
 She made no reply "l will help your recollection" said the counsel; "after MT. Smith had taken the me- dicne out of the closet, did he shut the door, or did itreman open?'' He shut it''
 "And when he replaced the bottle in the closet, he opened it again, did he?''
 He dido
 "And how long was it open the last timeH' About minute"
 "Well, and when open, would the door be exactly between the light and the wndow?,
 "It would"
 l forget" said the counsel, "whether you said the closet on the rig ght or on the left hand side of the window!"
 con the left hand side"
 Would the door of the closet mako any noise in opening?''
 "None."
 Are you certain?''
 "I am"
 Have you ever opened it yourself, or only seen Mr. Smith open it?'
 never opened it myself"
 Did you ever keep the key?'
 "Never"
 "Who did?"
 "Mr. Smith, always"
 At that moment the housekeeper chanced to cast her eyes towards Mr. Smith, the priso- her. A cold, damp sweat stood upon his brow. and his face had lost all its color he appeared living image of death She no sooner saw him than she shrieked and tainted. The con- sequence of her answer flashed across her mind. She had been so thoroughly deceived by the manner of the advocate, and the little i'm por- tance he had seemed to attach to her state ments, that she had been led on, by one oues- ton to another, till she had told him ali he wanted to know.
 She was obliged to be taken from the court and physician who was present was requested to attend her. At this time the solicitor for tho prosecution (answering to our States attorney) left the court, but no one knew for what pur- pose. Presently the physician came into court, and stated that it would be impossible for the housekeeper to resume her seat in the box short of an hour or two.
 It was almost twelve in the day. Lord Mansfield, having directed that the jury be ac- commodated with room where they could be kept by themselves, adjourned the court two hourS The prisoner, in the meantime, was remanded to jai
 It 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 an awful silence pervaded the place.
 The cross examining counsel again addressed the housekeeper "I have but few more questions to ask you," said be- "take heed how you answer, for your life hangs upon a thread"
 Do you know this stopper?"
 q do."
 "To whom does it beong?"
 "To Mr. Smith,"
 "When did you see it?'
 At that moment the solicitor entered the court, bringing with him upon tray, watch. two money bags, jewel case, and bottle of the same manufacture of the stopper and hay. ing cork in it. The tray was placed on the table in sight of the prisoner and the witness, and from that moment no doubt remained in the mind of any man present of the guilt of the prisoner.
 A few words will bring this melancholy tale to its ciose The house where the murder had been committed was between nine and ten miles distant The solicitor, as soon as the cross ex- animation of the housekeeper had discovered the existence of the closet, and it's situation. had set off on horseback, with two sheriff $ of ficers, and after pulling down part of the wall, had detected this important concealment. The search was we'll rewarded The whole of the property belonging to MT. Thompson was found there, amounting in value to some thou. sand pounds: and to leave no room for donht q