Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-30

this character varies according to the part
from which it is taken-an important cir
cumstance as will appear from my story,
which is this: once received letter by
post, containing few hairs with the re-
quest that 1 should examine them, and
adding that they would be called for in a
few days. Accordingly, [ submitted the
hairs to the microscope, when l discovered
that they were from the human eyebrow ),
which had been bruised. l made note 10
that effect, and folded it within an enlelope,
ready for the person who sent them. In
few days stranger called and inquired
whether | had made the examination.
"Oh yes,' said /; ''there they are, and
you will find them and their description in
this envelope. handing it to him at the
same time"
He expressed himself as being much
obliged and offered me fee, which how
ever, l declined, telling him l could not
think of taking money for so small matter.
1t turned out, however, to be Of more
consequence than l had imagined; for
within week | was served with sub
pena to attend as witness in a trial Of
murder. This was very disagreeable as |
have said; but there was no help for it
now. The case was this: A man had
been killed by blow from some blunt
instrument on the eyebrow, and the hairs
sent to me for examination had been taken
| from hammer in possession OF the sus-
pected murderer. l was put in the witness
box, and my testimony, that the hairs were
from the human eye brow and had been
bruised, was just the link in the chain oi
evidence that sufficed to convict the prls-
oner. The jury, however, were not easily
satisfied that my statement was worth any
thing; and it required the solemn assur-
ance of the Judge that such conclusion
was within the reach of science, to convince
them that they might act upon it. One ju
ryman in particuler-au old farmer-wa!
very hard to satisfy.
docs thee mean to say said he, " that
thee can tell the hair of an animal?"
| answered l would not take upon
myself to assert positively that L could dc
so, thong gh | believed | could.
WELL said he, "I'll prove thee
The prisoner, as l said. was convicted
and | went home. In busy life o
extensive practice, 1 forgot all about the
obstinate old farmer. About two year
afterward person, an entire stranger tC
me- called on me with few hairs screwed
up in piece of paper, which he asked me
to examine and report on.
Is this another murder case inquired
for if SO, | will have nothing to do with it
| have had enough of that sort OF work.
: No-no,' said be, % it's nothing of tn
kind. It's only matter of curiosity
which L would be very much obliged tt
you if you would solve; and if you will d
, it will call or send for the result of you
examination in a few days. Having re
ceived this assurance, | undertook the in
vestigation. When he was gone [ ha'
: leisure. [ put the the hairs under tn
microscope. and soon discovered that the
were taken from the back of a Norway RAJ
Two or three days atterwa rds as L wa
sitting in my room, an old tarmer-lookin
man was ushered in.
"Well." said he. ." has thee looked a
them hairs? -
" Yes" | answered, "and L find tha
! they are from the back of a Norway rat. y
"Well.' he exclaimed, " so they ar,
e Thou hast forgotten me, but | have not fol
: gotten thee Dost thou recollect the trial {
D murder at l. assizes? | said | woul
!. prove thee. and so | have. Them hail
i came from the back of rat skin my so
sent me from Norway
S So the old gentleman was quite satis6e
f with the proof to which he bad put m
b and l., as you may suppose, was We
| pleased that my skill and sagacity ha
s stood such queer proof as this. and mol
convinced than ever of the value of tt
/ microscope.
! Here the doctor ended his history whic
e | have given as nearly as possible in h
own words, and on which l believe
+ thorough dependence could be placed.