St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1881-04-16
coVFGToN ST. TAMMANY PARISH, SATURDAY, 49, 1881
A WOMAN'S VICTIM.

. | OoaAS AoA % ASN hiotASilSs ouIu 7
legal friend of mine as we were pass
sing the locality of this famous Lon
don tribunal. "You can easil,
amuse yourself for a short time
while I speak to Mr.. Poland" We
went in. The business was evidentl,
very dull The trial then going or
was clearly not sensational. There
were only very few spectators. The
Judge was leaniHg back with Ian
guild air. Mr.. Justice Hawkins was
the judge. The jury was just be-
ginning to consult as to their ver-
dict. In the dock stood straight,
well-built fellow of about five and
thirty He was fair man and pale.
He looked anxiously hound the
court for moment as my friend
began speaking to Mr.. Poland, the
counsel who had been conducting
the prosecution against the prisoner.
"AIy Lord" suddenly said the
prisoner, Il would like to say few
words"
1t was a very earnest application.
There was something peculiarly
impressive in the tone of the mans
voice. So much SO that the jury
suddenly ceased their suppressed
talking and looked first at the priso-
her, then at the Judge.
"You had an opportunity of ad-
dressing the court; the case is now
closed" said the judge.
MAY l ask one question, my
Lord, only one ?" said the prisoner.
1T is out of order," said the
judge, "but if"
My Lord" said Mr. Poland, ris-
ing in response to a glance from
the judge, II have no objection
whatever.
The learned counsel spoke rs one
who, knowing that the prisoner
could do neither good nor harm,
dld not wish to appear ungeuerous.
The jury resumed their seats.
"Ioui question" said the Judge.
st is the policeman to whom I wish
10 put the question:" said the
prisoner. with o sort of strange
as if he bad had stugsle
with himself befure concluding to
address the court. The evidence
upon which he WIS to he convicted
was that of a policeman, and the
sentence was certa. n to be heavy, AZ
Il previous conviction for coming
had been proved against him.
1t was for the grave offence of coin
ing that he now stood ut the bar.
Policeman, stand forward" snid
the judge. An officer stepped iato
the witness box
"What is your question? You
may put it through me-" said the
Judge.
Il wish to ask him." said the
prisoner, upon whose informatioD
ne arrested me?" slr. Poland OBJ
ected. The answer might lead
70 a revelation of police secrets
which belonged to Scotland Yaro
md pot to the public. There was
l brief discussion upon tins
point, and the Judge overruIed tn,
objection
May I put the question in an
,ther shape?" asked the prisoner,
st NAV save m |;
Put it" said the judge. i
"Was it woman who gave You
he Information upon which you ar (
ested me?" Again counsel object
ii. Scotland Yard lad it's meth
IDS of hunting down criminals, and
low the police obtained information s
S to the movements of persons like |
ho prisoner was not necessarily C. {
Importance to the court Il the PUB !
Ic, wnile it was of great moment 1
hat the police should not be called
pom to expose tue detective secrets :
1 the force. The prisoner had been
iken with spurious money III his +
osse. sion aud had been previously '
of coming and had under e
one seven years penal servitude b
,r the offence. Released from b
t4son, he had gone back to his il
,rmer criminal habits; it was IN il
Id story, and SD on. But again
lie Judge ruled that he should per "
lit the question to be put. 8
WAS it a woman who gave You a
ne information The policeman b
e
Answer" commanded the judge. n
cit was" said the officer. Ii
DO you see her IN comt?" asked N
le prisoner. The officer looked
bout vaguely.
''Is that the woman?" asked the
4