The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-05-27

The crier cried "silence," the Judge,
frowned and the counsel soon after closed
by demanding s triumphant acquittal
for his client
There was no rebuttal. Here pro-
scouting counsel would bring experts to
prove that the idiocy was feigned, but
in Ireland, where the assizes seldom last
over week, there was no time for such
nonsense. Had Hayden, of Connecticut,
been tried there his fate would have
been decided in few hours. This trial
was over in an hour.
The judge presented the case very
fairly 10 the jury. With regard to the
idiotic plea, he said:
Gentlemen, the point taken by
counsel as to such man as the prisoner
being capable of writing. SO we'll worded
letter is worthy of our serious atten-
ton. One would, indeed, think it i'm
possible that a man presenting such an
appearance as the prisoner did to-day
before you could be the suther of such
letter as you have heard read. How
ever, that is entirely for you to deter
mine, gentlemen. have only. to add
that if you have doubt as to the guilt
OF the prisoner, you must give him the
full benefit of that doubt"
Will your lordship," asked the fore
man of the jury, "permit the prisoner to
hand up specimen of his writing for
the inspection of the jury?"
No, gentlemen" replied the Judge,
that cannot be. Because, gentlemen,
it is a we'll settled principle of law that
no man can be compelled to testify
against himself." -
The jury then retired and returned in
about fifteen minutes. The crier raised
his rod to the box, and the foreman
placed a large sealed package tied up
with red tape thereon. This was handed
to the clerk, who having openedit, said I:
Gentlemen of the jury, hearken to
your verdict. You say that Patrick
Mulready, the prisoner at the bar, is not
guilty, and so say you all"
The jury responding affirmatively, the
prisoner walked out of the dock smiling,
aod was soon surrounded by friends,
who sheok his hand warmly.s-I was in
troduced to Mr.. Bourke by one of the
other barristers who knew me, and he
introduced me to Mr.. Mulready.s col
begorrala said the latter, don't care
to be talkin' to sogers; they're danger
GUS cattle.Y He was assured, however,
that might be relied on, and he then
said: !" Well, ] want to put few miles
between me and Castlebar as soon as
possible, for my wife and family will be
anxious. But here is my address ;-come
and see me, and Pll entertain you
WE'LL"
I took him at his word, and when the
ass zes were over went to seq him. He
had handsome wife and two beautiful
children. He brought keg of whisky,
which," said he, "was never seen by
the guager," and heyand his family
treated me like prince. was sur
prised at his superior knowledge, and
| yentured to refer to it at parting.
Ah," said he, laughing, You re-
member that farce, do you? Well, /
think it was well done, but faix, Coun-
seIlor Bourke an mesep practiced it for
a week. .-.5ss-s-s,
Then you wrote that letter." said I.
Easy, my boy" Then resuming his
idiotie look and changing to one of ex-
treme cunning he said. The Taste said
is soonest mended. One thing / may
say, and that's not two about it is, that
my friend, the landlord, has learned q
lesson that he won't soon forget. Al
ready he has lowered my rent, and ]
think he'll do the same with others. So
although I was put to considerable
expense and trouble that letter didn't dc
any harm. And now God be with
you" 9
We shook hands and parted, and ]
never saw him again.