Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-06-05

"YOu had nOtl Indeed! And vet, as
it appears that the prisoner is a man
from your own neighbOrhood, you must
have known all about the case-alI
about it, Sirp'
Il did; in common with all those who
keep their ears open, or who read the pa
pers."
"Then why, Sir, may 1 ask, did you
not speak out ?"
Because, until 1 came into court to
kill time, had not the least idea that
could be of any use in it. l knew no
more than that the defence was an alibi.
But when heard what his lOrdship said
as he was summing up, that light came
to me, and at once spoke out"
Il need scarcely remind you," said the
Judge to the counsel, "that it was not
until you made your speech, and was
proceeding to sum up, that the facts
came out"
THAT is so, my lord, replied the coun-
sci, as he felt he was sat upon. But, re-
turning to the attack, he resumed.
Then your coming here into court at
the last moment was purely accidental?
Do your really wish US to believe that"
Il have no wish in the matter" was
the response. zone way or other; SIM
ply state fact. viii you be good enough
said the Doctor, taking paper from his
pocket, "to hand that to his lOrdshipY
and giving a telegram to the usher it
was handed to the Judge.
"As this telegram, gentlemen. has beeI.
given to me will read it to you, though
/ do not" his lordship remarked, "cOn-
slider it necessary. 1t is dated to-day,
March S, and it is from Miss Minnie
Brown, Paddington Station. She says,
so sorry, Papa Missed my train. Shall
take the 2:15, and car on. So don't wait.
With love-"
"That is the through train for our line,
my lOrd-the Severne Valley-I came
on here to attend a meeting. Had she
came as arranged, by the ten train,
should have met her at the station; and
we should have been at home by now.
The delay seems proyidential"
"Just so" said the Judge. And the
telegram was handed to the Jury, and
passed on to the Doctor
But the counsel, determined to make
last struggle for it, returned to the
charge.
THE prisoner was in your employ,
presume? He shOd your horses ?"
No, he did not" was the reply. "I
wish he had; but he lived too far off,
unfortunately"
"Still, you were acquainted with him ?"
Not the slightest; no more than am
with you"
"Are you hunting man?"
"I hunt as every man should do who
can deep good horse and ride him."
"Then, as this man." said the counsel,
"was a runner with hounds, you must
have met him frequently?"
81 have seen him often; and have
heard him, too"
"And he has been Of use to you, pre-
sumo, on many occasions, in shifting
bundles and in making gaps?"
"Gapsp cried the Doctor, who was
known good gOer. II never wait for
gaps, and fly the hurdles. / always
take it straightp
| AS litter ran through the court at
the Doctors answer, the foreman of the
jury stood up, and, turning to the Judge,
said:
UNLESS your lordship considers that
further evidence is necessary, we are
quite satisfied, and can give our YER
derdict."
"And that"
as Not guilty, my lord"
\ AS the verdict was given loud cheer
that could not be suppressed, rang thrO'
the court; and his lordship, turning to
the prisoner, said:
"Ralph Perks, you are a free man,
and you leave this court without stain
on your character. After the unexpect-
ed evidence we have heard, and which
has SO entirely corrOborated your own
statement, it was impossible for the ju-
| ry to come to any other conclusion. We
must therefore, as your name alone was
mentioned, accept the theory for the de-
Tense; that the cause of the mans death
was an accident, and not a murder. But
for yonr own well-known persistence in
pOaehing, circumstantial evidence would
have been less strong against you Let
it be warning to you, and at once give
it up, or some day it may go hard with
you. DR.. Brown, but for your evidence,
justice might have miscarried- We
have to thank you"
And as the clock just then struck four,
the court broke up.
"Not guilty, not guiltyE' was the cry.
as Ralph's many friends streamed on to
those outside. "Hurrah for Brown the
DoctOrp
At six the Doctor was at the station,
and demonstration awaited him; for
Perks and his friends were there, wait
ing the arrival of the train-the through
train from London, to take them also to
their destination; and as the train came
up, and the porters hustled about during
the ten minutes stoppage the cheering
was incessant.
20, what noise, papa" said Minnie
Brown. "Why, they are cheering you'll
What is it for? What have you done?
"a good days work, my girl" was his
reply, have proved the innocence Of
that man there-Ralph Perks the
poacher."