The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-02-12

0 q roof of back building, and thence
0 the ground.
ADMITTING IIlT0n As 4 WITNESS.
Rare Description OF u Memorable
Brooklyn Correspondence (Feb. lstO Chicago |
An immense crowd awaited Judge
Nelson's decision as to the admissibility
# Tilton's evidence, it being generally
recognized that upon that decision the
plaintiffs case principally hinged. The
of the Court House was densely
thronged, and the current of debate al
most entirely ran upon the prospect of the
plaintiff being allowed to testify.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE COURT ROOM.
The most punctual people to arrive were
the Beecher party; directly after them
came Mrs. Tilton, as usual escorted by
Mcsdames Field and Shearman. She was
much excited, and deep
crimson flush mantled on each cheek.
Beccher looked excessively pale and anx-
ious when he first took his seat. His wife
was cold, stern and silent. Both sons
were present. The younger of them
wept quietly with Bonded head during
most Of the subsequent proceedings. Til.
ton appeared to be in much better health,
with e. es clear and resolute and face suf.
fused with some color.
HOW JUDGE NELSON'S DECISION WAS RECEIVED
All parties seemed to be fully aware Of
the gravity of the question to be decided
by Judge Nelson, and every face wore an
expression of anxiety. His Honor's rul-
ing that plaintiff might testify under Ger.
tain restrictions was greeted by a loud,
popular murmur, in which general ap-
prevail was signi6ed. Beecher leaned
backward in his chair, and pressed his
right hand to tho back of the
head, and looked wistlully out
Of the window. Mrs.
Beecher opened her mouth in q fixed,
sardonic smile, which she did not relax
all day. Mrs. Tilton's color became
deeper, and she drew her veil over her
face. 1t was several minutes after the
reception Of the decision before Tilton
proceeded to the stand. After His Honor
had uttered his decision, there was dead
~ stiffness, like the silent presage Of a
thunder storm. Mr.. Tilton still leaned
back in his chair, and his face grew whittier
and whittier. Then Mr.. Beach rose, and
in deep, low voice, as if he were speak
ing by q ath.bed, desired positive in.
structions from the bench. The Judge
had just finished the last decision, when
MIR. Evarts also supplemented his argu-
ment with few words of exception.
TILToN IN THE WITNESS CHAIR.
There was another painful hush, and
Mr.. Tiltoa proceeded to the witness chair.
His back was turned to the audience, and
he stood bolt upright as the usher admin.
istered the oath. That solemnity over,
no turned and liesurely sat down in the
chair. At this prodig ious murmur ran
round the Court. Tilton's face was
ashen gray, his eyes deep and melan.
choly, and his whole expression that of
profound detection. When Judge Fuller
ton began questioning him, in voice full
of feeling and consideration, Tilton hest
tated for a moment, and then commenced
to reply in voice low and tremulous.
Afterwards it deepened into more audible
volume.
PROBING THE WOUND.
The earlier questions Of Judge Fuller
ton had reference principally to the his
tory of the plaintiff 8 relation to Ply
mouth Church and his editorial career; Of
forwards he proceeded to examine into
Mr.. Tilton's financial standing. The audi
ence buzzed again when it came out that
Tilton, far from being a bankrupt or in
poverty, was worth almost $4,000. At
last, the witness was gently and dexte-
riously led from the description Of his
financial status to q statement of the in
terview which he held with Mr.. Beecher
at Mr.. Moqlton's house. Mr.. Tilton
seemed to suffer exquisite anguish during
the recital Ct that scene. He frequently
moistened his lips, his mouth twitched,
and his head punctured every sentence
with motion. Breathless silence occu.
pied the court.
THE LAGOON.
Mr.. and Mrs. Beecher sat side by side
as usual. When there was hush before
Tilton's proceeding to the stand, Mr..
Beecher looked at the window, and his
wife's face resumed the strange smile
which occupied it during the former
days Of the trial. On each side of the
devoted pair were their two sons. The
elder was as pale as his mother. The
younger bent his head and leaned it upon
his hands. When Tilton was finally
seated, Beecher's face became pale, and a
Perceptible anxiety contracted his brows.
He did not remove his gaze from the
window until the plaintiff was led from
describing his pecuniary condition to
picture the famous interview between
himself and Beecher, which took place in
Moulton's house. Then Beecher pressed
his right hand to the back of his head
and looked up at his adversary.
4 DREADFUL STUDY IN FHYs1oGNoNY.
Mrs. Bcecher did not relax her features
from her peculiar smile, though her hus.
band was rapt IN attention to the testi.
mony Of Mr.. Tilton. He did hot abapd.
on his custom Of frequently whispering
with and consulting his. lawyers. Every
once in while, he would rise from his
seat and earnestly suggest something
either to Mr.. Hill, Judge Porter, or Mr..
Sherman. Once more leaning back in his
chair, he nodded his head backwards
and forwards. Beccher's face, during the
recital Of that interview with Tilton was
dreadful study. He pressed his right
hand to the back of his head, and stared
painfully at the sunlight in the roof of
the court. At every point of Tilton's
testimony relating to the character of his
intimacy with Mrs. Tilton, its freedom
from first to last, and its pure parentage
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