Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-13

with the deed. In the mean time
had moved up from below th'
falls, and as the whole town haC
taken the other side, / determined
to stand by the friend whom l haC
known in the States.
At the trial the court room was
packed with people, and the tide
of public opinion set so strongly
against the prisoner that the Judge
had to draw his six-shooter a dozer
times to keep order. After score
of witnesses had been examined fol
the prosecution, every one OF whom
made things look very black foI
Robert, the State rested its case
Then the attorney for the defence
arose, and simply said:
"Your Honor, / shall make nc
preliminary statement, and | shall
call but one witness. BY him
shall prove an alibi, or give up the
case"
"Eh! What's thatp shouted
the District Attorney, hopping up
on his feet-as fussy little rascal
as ever snorted law before a deaf
Justice of the Peace. "Will you
prove that the prisoner was not on
Spanish Town road the night OF
the alleged murderl"
"No! I'll prove that the deceas-
ed was not"
There was q 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, 1878" | began, clrcnm-
stantially, 81 was walking along
the river bank, on the side of town
opposite the Spanish Town road,
and just above the falls. wouldn't
trouble myself, if l were YOU
turning to the District Attorney
ITO ask what / was walking there
for, because it isn't anybody's bust
ness"
81 appeal to the Court screech-
ed the little rascal, springing to his
feet, "if I'm to be insulted in this
way"
Keep still, will you," said his
Honor, land let the witness pro-
ceed." ! had made a favorable i'm
preston at the start, and it gave
me confidence. resumed:
at was a warm moonlight even
ing, and the mist rising above the
cataract was less dense than usual I;
so could see tolerably well. Just
at the brink, on an overhanging
rock, saw a tall bent figure in
gray clothes, wearing a SLOUGH hat
"a very bad hat; l don't see more
than hundred worse ones in the
ROOM" There was smile al
around, and then the District At
torney asked me if / had known
the deceased, Mr.. Thatcher, in hi:
lifetime. Ireplied that / had not
had never seen him.
Remember that, gentlemen o
the jury" said he, with a conceit
ed smile; remember the witness
had never seen nor heard OF TIN
deceased. We don't mean to con
trovert the witnesses statement OIL
that point" he added, addressing
the counsel for the defence, ant
Sinking as if he had got hold o
a good thing which he would hol'
in reserve as final crusher.
"Cuss you," roared the Judge
"keep your mouth shut, will you
; The witness will proceed"
: 81 approached this person on tn
; rock" l continued, "and sai'
! Good evening""
2 "'Bet you five dollars it amt,
e said he, turning sharply about.
e At this there was general sniI
+; ner from the spectators, and Da'
e Thatcher's widow, who sat nee
s looked up with sudden hope
II her face that was cheerful to Sc
L / resumed my testimony:
'e "Do you see that oak on {
n other bankF continued the IN
BE on the rock, pointing to consp
20 uous pine.
ne 81 thought the fellow must b,
g. maniac, and l did not know j
u what to answer; but presently
I; piled that was not certain whe