Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-12-26

was acted over again. but 1t was utterly
impossible, from the cause above mention
ed to assert, when the light disappeared,
whether the parties had gone into Thomp-
sons room. As if, however, to throw still
deeper mystery over thus extraordinary
transaction, the witness persisted In adding
a new feature to his former statement
that after the persons had returned with
the light into Smiths room, and before 1t
was extnguished, he had twice perceived
SEINE dark objctc to intervene between the
light and the window, almost as large as
the surface of tho window itself, and which
he described by saying it appeared as II
door lad been placed before the hight.
Now, in Smiths room there was nothing
which could account for this appearance !;
his bed was in a different part, and there
was neither press nor cupboard In the
room, which, but for the bed, was entirely
empty, the room in which he dressed be-
ing at distance beyond.
lie would state only one fact more,
said the learned counsel, and having done
his duty, it would be for the jury to do
their s. Within few days there had been
found in the prisoners house the stopper
of small bottle of a very singular ap-
pearance it was apparently not of Eng
lish manufacture, and was described by
the medical men rs being used by chemists
to preserve those liquids which ale most
likely to lose their virtue by exposure to
the air.
Such was the address Of the counsel for
the prosecution and during its delivery
had earnestly watched the countenance Of
the prisoner, who had listened to it with
deep attention. Twice only did | perceive
the slightest emotion. When the disap,
pearance of the housekeeper was mention
ed, smile, as of scorn, passed over his lip;
and the notice of the discovery of the
stopper obviously excited an interest, and
| thought an apprehension but 1t quickly
subsidized. | need not detail the evidence
that was given for tl) rosecution it
amounted in substance. hat which the
counsel stated, nor was it varied in any
particular. The stopper was produced
and proved TO have been found in the
house but no attempt was made to trace
it to the prisoners possession, or even
knowledge.
When the case was closed, the learned
Judge, addressing the counsel for the pros
ecution, said he thought there was hardly,
sufficient evidence to call upon the prison.
er for defence and if the jury were OF
opinion thoy would at once stop in the
case. Upon this observation os the Judge,
the Jury turned round for a moment and
then minated their acquiesence in his
lnrlcbtn nf tha Tho
counsel folded up their briefs, and ver-
dict of acquittal was about to DO taken
when the prisoner addressed the court
He urged the Judge to permit him to state
his case to the jury, and to call his house
keeper, with much earnesmess, and was
seconded so strongly by his counsel, that
Lord Mansfield though very much
against his inclination, and contrary to his
usual habit, gave way, and yielded to
their request.
| The prisoner then addressed the jury,
and entreated their patience for short
time. lie repeated to them that he never
could feel satisfied to be acquitted merely
because the evidence was not conclusive,
and pledged himselfin a very short time,
| by the few observations he should make,
to obtain their verdict on much higher
grounds--upon the impossibilty Of his
being guilty.
OF the stopper which had been found
he disowned all Knowledge declared
most solemnly that he had never seen it
before it was produced in court and he
asked could the fact of its being in his
house onlya few days ago, when hundreds
of people had been there, produce upon an
/ impartial mind even a momentary preju-
disc against him ? One fact, and only one
/ has been proved, to which it was possible
| Tor him to give an answer-the fact OF his
having gone to the bedroom of his house
/ keeper on the night in question.
He had been subject for many wears of
his life to sudden fits of illness he had
been siezed NTH one on that occasion, and
had gone to her to proc IRE her assistance
in lighting fire. She had returned with
him to his room for that purpose, he hav-
ing waited in the passage while she put
on her clothes, which would account for
tho momentary disappearance of the light
and after she had renamed III the room
for lew moments. finding himself better,
be had dismissed her. and retired again
to bed, from which he had not risen when
he was informed of the death of his guest.
1t had been said that, after his commital
to prison, his housekeeper had disappear
ed. He avowed that, finding his enemies
determined, if possible, to accomplish his
ruin, he had thought it probohle they
might tamper with MS servant: he had
therefore, kept her out of the way; but for
what purpose ? Not to prevent her testi-
mony being given, for she was now under
the care OF his solicl'or, and would instant.
ly appear for the purpose of confirming,
as far as she was concerned, the state
mani no ha 4 ;uSt p,oIa