The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-01-01
S GTITY OF AN OATH

end of desult0Fy argument with
some of the other clerks in the San
Francisco Mint, and NOT one wit
ness in dozen would speak the truth.
AS. for their oaths-baEl They don't
care that for rthem"-snapping my I'm
gers like the cluck of q hen.
"I don't know, boys" Raid John
Fleming, who had taken no part in
the discussion, laying down his pen
and sgt 3 ing about On his stool 81 don't
know that can say snything on this
subject worth listening 10, but If you
will stop YOUR cOnfoHnded figuring a
moment III relate little experience
of mine that may be of service to this
young gentleman who knows so very
much about the nature of an oath and
most other things"
There was general swapping to-
gether of ledgers and all manner OF
books Government clerks do not re-
quire much of pretext 70 stop work.
We all gathered about John like bees
about Hymettns, and he began:
IsWas a witness, once, in murder
case at PinkertoH's Bluff, om4he North
Sandy, just above the falls. Bob
4 D., friend of mine-kneW him in
the States-was charged with having
killed Daye Thatcher, known ia ali
that region as Bet-yOu Dave. He had
been born debafer, had Dave. He
was never known to agree with, the
opinions Of any man at The Bluff, up
on any question under heaven; and
he made use of but one argument
81 bet you five dollars ~ o
j The moment he heard any: one make
an assertion, express belief, or hint q
rnmor-frequently before possessing
his mind ofthe speakers full meaning
he'd bet him five dollars Il wasn't
| sol When nobody was talking be
would try in all indirect ways to en-
trap someone into indicating an opin-
ion upon some subject, and then he
was down upon him with that ever
lasting wager. He would put up the
money, too, and whats more he would
commoMly win, unless there was a
dead sure thing against him but this
was so frequently the case that 1t kept
| him poor. If, in Dawes presence, q
man dared to affirm that his dog was
yellow, quick as lightning came an
offer to bet him five dollars he wasn't !;
and it came with such positive energy
that if the man hadn't seen bis dog
since morning il was ten chances 10
one that he would back squarely down
or haggle for some time to go and
take another look. never saw Dave
myself; it was after his time that /
came to The Bluff but the fame of his
extraordinary wagers, and the no less
extraordinary way in which he some
times won them, was in every ybodyis
mouth.
On the fifteenth day of July. in 58,
Daye and my friend Bob D. passed
the whole evening together in the bar
room of the Spread Eagle Hotel, and
during the time Bob lost three straight
bets with him. About nine .olclock
they departed together, quarrsling
about the manner in which Bob had
been silenced but not convinced.
Dave was never afterwards seen
alive; but the next spring q dead
body. almost past recognition, was
discovered hidden away in ckdpparal,
near the side of the road over which
the two must have passed to reach
their houses, about two miles from
town. Nearly everybody said the
body was that of Dave, and as 1t had
bullet in it--not some old bullet,
such as anyone might have somewhere
in his system, but a comparatively
fresh one, which had passed through
the heart-Bob was taken into custo-
dy, charged with the deed. In the
meantime had moved up from be-
low the falls, and as the whole town
had taken the other side determined
to stand by the friend whom / had
known in the States.
AT the trial the courtroom was
packed with people, and the tide of
public opinion set so strongly against
tile prisoner that the Judge had to
draw his six-shooter a dozen times to
keep order. After score of Witness
es for the prosecution, every one of
whom made things look very black
Tor Robert, the State rested its case.
Then the attorney for the defence
arose and simply said
= our honor, / shall make no pre-
minary statement, and / shall call !
but one witness. BY him l shall prove |
an alibf, or give up the case.
"EhI What's that T' shouted the |
District Attorney, hopping upon his
.feet--as fussy little rascal as ever
snorted law before deaf Justice of
the Peace. VIII yon prove that the
prisoner was not on Spanish Town
road the night of the alleged murder z"
mo; I'll prove that the deceased |
was not"
There was a marked sensation in
court as my name was called, and
was solemnly sworn to tell the truth |
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth.
"At ten O'Clock, on the night OF
July 18th, 1857 began, circumstal-
TALLY, II was walking along the river
bank, on the side OF town opposite
tho Spanish Town road, and just above |
the falls. ! wouldn't trouble myself, |
if were you"-turning to the Dis
taict Attorney "to ask what l was
walking there for, because it isn't any |
body's business"
g / appeal to the Courtf screeched |
the little rascal, springing 10 his feet, |
stif l am to be insuIted in this way
"Keep still, will you," said Lis
Honor, sand let the witness proceed |
had made favorable impression at
the start, and it gave me confidence.
/ resumed
sit was a warm, moonlight eve |
ming, and the mist rising above the
cataract was less dense than usual so |
could see toIerably well. just at the |
brink, on an overhanging rock, saw |
a tall, bent figure in gray clothes, /
/ don't see more than q hundred /
worse ones in this room," There was
a smile all round, and the District |
Attorney asked me if l had known |
the deceased, Mr.. Thatcher, in his life |
time. replied that | had not--had
never seen him.
Remember that, gentlemen Of the
jury" said he with conceited smile
remember the witness had never seen
or heard of the deceased. We don't
mean to controvert the witness's state
ment on that point, sir" he added,
addressing the counsel for the
defence, and smirking as if he had
got hold of a good thing which he
would hold In reserve as final crush
or.
'sCuss You l"roared the Judge, keep
vour mouth shut, will you? The wit
,.,.o ~.,sH SD,sonan1