Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-08-15

OF conversation than ofatory-tne c0HNer-
saton of an enlightened, well-educated,
thoroughly disciplined lawyer. In replying
to Hamiltons splendid legal speeches, he
would select the vulnerable, yet vital points,
and quietly demolish them, leaving all the
other points untouched. In twenty-min-
ute speech he has been known 10 complete
ly neut ralize the effects of one of Hami-
toms long, elaborate and ornate addresses.
Hamilton and Burr occasionally assoclat-
ed in the trial of cause. On such occa-
sons they were almost irresistible. 1t Is
related that on one occasion they were re-
tanned to defend man indicted for MUIR
der, and who was generally believed to be
guilty, though the circumstances under
which the crime was committed rendered
it deeply interesting case Of circumstan-
tial evidence. During the progress of the
trial, as the circumstances were developed,
suspicion began to attach to the principal
witness against the prisoner. Burr and
Hamilton brought all their skill in cross
examination to bear on the witness, in the
hope of dragging out of him his dreadful
secret. But with singular sagacity and
GOODNESS he eluded their efforts, though
they succeeded in darkening the shadows
of suspicion that fell upon him, and
strengthening their convictions of their eli
ent's innocence.
Before the cross examination of the wit
ness was concluded, the court adjourned
for tea.
az believe our client is not guilty, but 1
have no doubt that Brigham, that coming
witness, is really the guilty man but he is
so shrewd, cool and deep, that l am fearful
his testimony will hang poor little Blair,
our client, in spite of all we can do" said
Hamilton TO Burr, while on their way from
the court house to their hotel.
az agree with you that Blair is not guilty,
and Brigham is, and 1 believe we can catch
him. 1 have plan that will detect him, if
am not wonderfully mistaken" said
Burr. lie then proceeded to explain to his
associate the nature Of his plan.
"You may succeed" said Hamilton, af-
ter list ening TO his plan. "It's worth try
ing, at any rate though you have man of
| iron to deal with"
After tea, Burr ordered the Sheriff to
| provide an extra number of lights for the
SOsSiOi, anu W uiihhSo ihChi 81
that their lays weuld converge against the
pillar in the court loom near the place &C.
cupied by the witness.
The evening session opened, and Burr
resum ed the cross examination of the wit
ness 1t was test of the profound skill
and subtlety of the lawyer-the self-pos-
session. courage and tact Of the witness,
sta nding on the very brink of borrid
gulf, camly and intrepidly resisting the eff
| forts of the terrible man before him to push
him over. At last, after dextrously lead
| ing the witness to the appropriate point,
| Burr su ddenly seized lamp in each hand
and holding them in such n manner that
| their light fell instantaneousy upon the
| face of the witness, he exclaimed in start
| ling voice, like the voice of the avenger OF
| blood: "Gentlemen of the jury, behold the
| murderer p
With wild convulsive start-a face of
asby pallor-eyes standing from their sock
| ets-lips apart his whole attitude evincing
terror, the man 81 rang from his chair. For
moment he stood motionless, struggling
to regain his selfpossession. But it was
only momentary struggle the terrible
words of the advocate "shivered along his
arteries" shaking every nerve with palsy
ing fear. Conscious that the eyes of all in
| the court room were fixed upon him read
ing the hidden deeds of his life, he left the
witness-stand and walked shrinkingly 10
the door of the court room. But he was
| prevented from making his escape by the
Sheriff. This scene, so thrilling and start
| ling, may perhaps be imagined, though it
cannot be described. Like the fall of Da-
vid Deans, in the court room, before judg-
es, juror and lawyers, when the doom of
Effie, hisyoungest daughter, was pronounce
| ed by the testimony of her eldest sister,
Jessie Deans, ii struck the spectators with
silent awe; changing the whole aspect of
the trial, overthrowing in an instant the
hypothesis which the Attorney General
was confident would send his prisoner to
the gallows-saving an innocent man from
the beautiful hands of bold and skilful
perjurer.
Tho false witness was arrested two in
dictments found against him, one for muir
der, another for perjury. He was acquit-
ted on his trial for murder, but subsequent
ly convicted Of perjury and sentenced to n
long imprisonment.
The high toned lberality and generosity
with which Hamilton and Burr conducted
the contests Of the bar caused no bitterness
or animosity. They continued friends I'M
Ill they became great partisan leaders-un-
til the poluting influences of politics
their collision as rival statesmen, created
that relentless antagonism which culmin-
ated in the tragic scene when Hamilton
fell by the hand Of Burr, in the most IA
nous duel in history-a duel which DOOM
ed its survivor 10 obloquy and reproach
which he never outlived, and which, with
the alleged treason for which he was tried
and acquitted in 1907, ostracised him from
his rank among erea men of the nation.
At the time Burr is introduced to the
reader he had long drank of the Marah OF
the waters of disappointment and SORROW
had long abored at the task of Sisyphus-
The mountain and rock.
1t was Theodosia, his daughter, so lovely,
so pure, so intellectual, SO naughty, aud
yet so soft and gentle, that opened to Aar-
on Burr the brightest page in this blotted
volume of his life. "She was nearly a COM
pete realization of his ideal of woman
Upon her he lavished the wealth of soul
that OVERLOOKED with tenderness. Long at.
ter his fall from power she was the solitary
star shining in beautiful cluster over the
darkened and rough pathway of his life.
During his trial for high treason, at Rich
mond, 1907, Theodosia, then the brilliant
leader of society in the most aristocratiC
| aityy in ba ba xrif Of A
ston, distinguished citizen of South Car
| o1i H., Il To-, Il n