The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-23
PORTLAND. OREGON, FRIDAY, ss:s, o.

circumstantial evidence could be, in
common Western vernacular, made to
stick
The depositions of Jason Andrews
The could not come to the court because
of his illness), relative to the missing
man, the threats he had overheard, the
meeting he had almost witnessed be-
tween the supposed deceased and the
accused, the cast-off clothing found in
the Molalla, which had been exhibited
till every man, woman, and child in
the community could swear clearly as
to its quality without again seeing it,
all failed to elicit anything new; but
the suspicion of the prisoners guilt had
wrought conviction in the minds of the
multitude, who were eager for the
shedding of human blood; the jury
Joined in the popular feeling, and There
seemed to be scarcely a ray of hope for
his acquittal. Madge had stolen the
! little time wherein she dared to leave
her patient at the farm to attend the
trial as a spectator, resolved to volun-
teer nothing herself unless it were found
necessary to thus attempt to save her
friend. Closely, though furtively, she
watched the eyes of the jurors, and could
read nothing but decisive condemnation
there. The last witness had endured the
! inquisitorial torture of divers cross-ques-
tionings, and then, with all eyes upon
her, Madge walked through the aisle,
leading Sara Perkins by the hand. A
few words were whispered in the ear OF
the opponent of Esquire Lawmaker,
which gave that dignitary a new idea
that he acted upon at once.
Sara Perkins was sworn. With beT
testimony the reader is already ac-
quainted. She had met George Hanson
and talked with him two weeks after
the time of the alleged murder. HeT
statement was given in an unwavering,
modest way that charmed the judge
and jury. Then came the cross-ques-
tioning. The witness took her turn
upon the rack.
"You are married lady, believe ?''
mo, sir"
Sara blushed scarlet.
"Pardon me, l hear that you are 8
mother"
Alas, the wronged mother of mans
child had no manly protector to appea
to. So she only blushed in silence.
"I learn also that there were tender
relations at one time between you
madam, and the prisoner at the bar
Am rightfully informed ?"
The prisoner looked daggers at the at
torney, and bit his lips till the BLOOD
ran, in endeavoring to refrain from
knocking him senseless with his mana
cles.
"Answer me-yes or now
"None O. your business !" was the as
tonishing reply.
The lawyers were convulsed will
laughter. They hid their faces in hand
kerchiefs; they filled their mouths will
the heads of canes; they guffawed unde
their breath, until the judge, forgettin!
the dignity of the ermine in the sublime
audacity of the girl upon the rack, burs
forth in a guarded haw, baw, haw Th
witnesses and lockers on stamped thei
feet, and it was many minutes befor
order was restored.
Then the attorney for the prosecution
made speech, charging the young gir
before him with being a secret accom-
; plice in the murder, and the way b
} scored her for having dared to fulfill tn
natural functions of motherhood with
out any man having been indirectl.
concerned, or, at least, accused in tn
case, was enough to make every boy il
the court room rejoice over the supe
, riOritY of masculine virtue.
The girl tainted under the attack, an
, was carried from the halls of justic
where women are so specially protected
! and the judge said solemDly, throug
his smiles:
"Call the next witness"
: ITO be continued