The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-09
New York TimCs.I

II sDDli ibtut WIN SIifdh w
We went in. The business was evidently
very dun. The trial then going on was
clearly not sensational There were only
very few spectators. The Judge was lean
ing back with a languid air. Mr.. Justice
Hawkins was the judge. The jury was
Just beginning to consult as to their verdict.
In the dock stood a straight, well-built fel-
low OF about FIVE and thirty. He was fair
man. and pale. He looked aDXi0usly round
the court for moment as my friend began
speaking 10 Mr.. Poland, the counsel who
had been conducting the prosecution against
the prisoner.
"My Lord" suddenly said the prisoner,
% would like TO say few words"
II was very earnest application. There
was something peculiarly Impressive in the
tone Of The mans voice. So much so that
the jury suddenly cea-cd their suppressed
taking and looked first at the prisoner and
then at the Judge.
"YOu had an opportunity Of addressing
the court; the ease is now closed" said the
Judge.
"May ask one question, my Lord-only
one?" said the prisoner.
" II is out OF order,' answered the Judge,
"but if"
MY Lord" said Mr.. Poland. rising in
response to glance from the Judge,
have no objection whalever.'
The learned counsel spoke aS one who,
knowing that the prisoner could do neither
good nor harm, the evidence having already
convicted him, did not wish TO appear un-
generous. The jury resumed their seats.
"YOur question:" said The Judge. at
is the policeman TO whom | wish TO put Il
question:" said the prisoner. ith sort Of
Il, Ha1 ba1 a 81
Gle with himself before concluding 10 adj
dress the couit. The evidence upon which
he was to be convicted was that OF the po-
liccman, and the sentence was certain 10 be
heavy, as a previous cQny Teton had already
been proved against hi1-a previous con-
vic,ion for coming. Il was for the grave
offence Of coming that he now stood at the
bar.
Policeman. stand forward" said the
Judge. An officer stepped into the witness
box.
"What is your question: lou may put
it through me? 2" said the Judge.
Il wish to ask him." said the prisoner,
"upOn whose information he arrested me :"
Mr.. Poland objected. The answer might
lead 10 a revelation Of police secrets which
belonged to Scotland Yard, and not TO the
public. There was brief discussion upon
this point, and the Judge oycrruled the OBJ
lection.
"May | put the question in another
shapei' asked the prisoner; " ii may save
time"
Put it," said the Judge.
"Was il Il woman who gave YOU the in-
formation upon which you arrested me-"
Again counsel objected. Scotland Yard
bad its own methods OF bunting down
criminals, and how the police obtained in
formation rs to the movements OF persons
ike the prisoner was not necessarily Of im-
portance to the court or the public, while it
was OF great moment that the police should
not be called upon to expose the detective
secrets OF the force. The prisoner had been
taken with spurious money IN bis posses
sion and had been previously convicted of
coming, and had undergone seven years
penal scrvitude for the offence. Released
from prison lie had gone back to his former
criminal habits it was an old story. and so
on. But again the Judge ruled that he
should permit the question 10 be put.
"Was it woman who gave You the in
fOrmation?" The policeman heSimed.
answer" commanded the Judge.
"It was" said the officer.
"Do YOU see her in c0uItE" asked the
prisoner. The officer looked about vaguely.
is that the woman" asked the prs
oner, pointing TO a rather sbowily.dressed
woman with handsome features, but cold,
diSdainful expression OF face.
1T is" replied The officer.
"My Lord" said the prisoner. with a
slight tremor in bis voice, ''that woman is
my wife," a buzz OF surprise followed
The announcement, and the woman turned
her head away from the dock.
81 would like to say few words, my
Lord" continued the prisoner.
81 have no objection, your lOrdship,"
said Mr. Poland.
"The Court will hear you," said Mr..
Justice Hawkins.
Thank you, my Lord" said the pri-
sOner, 10 longar Letraying any emotion.
but speaking in clear, firm tones: "I
have served seven years on similar charge
to that now preferred against me. Ii am
again convicted you will give me at least
one and twenty years, and that will end NIX
life. Before YOU do so | would like YOU to
know the whole truth OF this affair. mar
ried young. My wife uneXpecl edly showed
eXtrayagant tastes and very expensive
habits. was very fond of her, and did all
/ could to content her. Honestly could not
keep pace with her desires. and we took TO
coming. She was with me III all nv opera
tiOnS, aided in the work, assisted in pass
ing the money. When we were taken the
evidence was just as strong agans; her as
against me. In answer 10 questions | put |
to my counsel, | was told that if | pleaded |
guilty and said had compelled her TO help !
me she would get off. | did so, and she was |
acquitted. | was sentenced TO seven years |
penal servitude. | served my full time, and |
came back to London, determined to lead |
an honest life, and 10 restore my wife 10 an |
honest home. 1t vas some time before |
found her; but had obtained work at 80
shilings week. had only one wish-io 7
make a new home for my wife. Eyentu.
ally | found her. She was living with |
another man. His name is Foster. She told |
me that she had been Obliged to accept his |
assistance, OF she would have starved.
Foster was fellow workman OF mine.
was willing TO believe all she said and TO
forgive her. 1t twas Il bitter struggle, but | |
did il. Come home | said to her, 'and |
let bygones be bygOnes.' She said she could |
not come immediately. II would take Il
little time TO break of with Foster; but
she would do il. | walled, and every week
rs | received my wages took El TO her.
and gave il 10 her that she might have money
without asking Foster for any. At last
.he appointed a night when she declared
she would leave Foster. | was to meet
rer at the corner OF Raihbone Place. did
20. She said Foster bad come ont with her
nd was q street or so oil, but that she
xsuld 90 and tell him now that she had
naile up her mind TO leave him. Il love
,ou STILL she said, 'betier than any other
nas in the world, and would never have
eft you OF my owa free viii; hold this I'M
ii Leone back; l will only be few
ninuLex.' waited, aOd almost immediately
policeman came and took The into custody.