Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-09-21
O,CONNELL,S READY WIT.
How it Won Him Two Striking Vic.
torres.

At the Clare Assizes in Ennis, two broth
ers named Hourigan, were arrested for set
ting fire to police barrack, the property o.
Darby O'Grady, Esq, and it was stated the
property had been ignited by means of a ja1
OF pitch, found half consumed near the
burned barrack.
O'Connell was employed for the defense
and by his desire skillet containing pitch
was secretly placed near the witness chail
and over this O'Connell placed his broad
brimmed hat, so as effectually to conceal it
The principal witness for the prosecution
swore "that he discovered the barrack on
fire, and knew that it was set on fire by
pitch, for he got the smell of it."
"You know the smell of pitch, then ?" said
O'Connell
II do, WELL" replied the witness.
"You seem man able to smell pitch any
where ?" said O'Connell.
Anywhere found it,"
Even here in this court house, if it were
here"
mo doubt would"
"And do you swear that you don't get the
smell of pitch here ?" asked O'Connell
81 do, solemnly," replied the witness. IF
it were here I'd smell it."
Then OConnell taking his hat off the
skillet of pitch which was placed beside the
witness chair, cried:
Now you may 60 down, you perjured ras-
cal! Go down."
This saved his clients. The jury discredit-
ed the witness.
At Limerick OConnell had a case to de-
fend which presented slight hopes of his be-
ing able to obtain an acquittal. His two
clients were indicted for robbery, and the
case was substantially proved against them.
They called young priest for testimony as
to their character for honesty. He thought
to make parade of his learning by the use
of big words, and his replies to the usual
inquiries were in the most pollsyllabic terms
he could devise. Having stated that their
reputation for rectifcation of habitual pro-
priety was exemplary and commendable,"
Judge Torrens, who chafed with irritation
as the young priest rolled out each jaw
breaker, at last cut him short with:
"Come, sir, no more of this. Say shortly
what you know of these men. Are they hon
est? ?"
"As far as my experience of their depor-
ment, am under that impression
"You think they are. That comprehends
a great DEAL" said the Judge, still displaying
temper Turning to the priest he said "That
will do-go down, sir"
O'Connell, assuming an air of great indig-
nation, as the priest shuff1ed off the table,
the prisoners in tone of deep
commiseration, said: my poor fellows, big
otry is on the bench, and when your excel
lent young priest has been so ANONYMOUSLY
turned out of court, am in dispair of being
able to serve you. Here's your brief and
fee."
He flung the brief and the notes to the
agent for the prisoners, and commenced put
ting on his cloak, muttering: "My innocent
clients, dispair altogether now of your ac-
quital. You'll be hanged, and never were
men hanged more unjustly. The only hope
I can look to is that, if your sentence is not
carried into execution before the twelve
Judges meet, I will bringt his outrageous
case before them"
This had the effect intended Judge Tor
rens invited O'Connell to continue the de-
fense of his clients, and to this, after some
pretended reluctance, O'Connell assented.
The case went on, and the Judge, to show
he was no bigot, put the character for hon
esty given the prisoners by the priest so
strongly that the jury almost instantly
brought in their verdict not guilty.