Daily globe., 1882-11-09
O'CONNELL'S READY WIT.
How Il Won Hin, rvvo Striking vic

How Il Won Elim rvrO Striking vic-
| tories.
| at the Glare assizes In Eaais. tmc
brothers, named Hourigan, were arrnst,,t /
for setting ire to a police barr;csz, ll,,
property of Darby O'Grady, ESD, ais:
1t was stated the barfack lad h,.,... ~
nlted by means OF a jar of pitch, foun.l
half consumed near the burned barrach.
OConneu was employed for the de
fense, and by his desire skillet con.
tanning pitch was secretly placed near
the Witnesses chaiT, ard over this
! OConnoli placed his broad -i}ri.nncd
hat, SO as effectually to conceal it. The
principal witness for the prosecution,
swore "that he discovered the barrack
on fire, and knew it was set on ire by
pitch, for he got the smell of it, :
"You know the smell of pitch, then?s
said O'Connell.
4 dc. WELL" replied the witness.
" You seem a man well able to smell,
pitch anywhere" said O'Conneu.
Anywhere I found it,
"Even in this court house, if it were
here"
"No doubt I would"
"And do you swear you don't get the
smell of pitch here ?" asked O'Connell.
"I do solemnly," replied the witness.
"lf it were here I'd smell it.
Then O'Connell, taking his hat off the
skillet of pitch which was placed beside
tie witness chair, cried:
"Now you may go down, you perjured
rascal Go down! /"
This saved his clients. The jury dis.
credited the witness.
At Limerick O'Connell had a case to
defend which presented slight hopes OF
his being able to obtain an acqUittal.
His two clients were indicted for rob-
berry, and the case was substantially
proved against them. They called 3
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 polvsyl-
Liable terms he could devise. Having
stated their reputation fer recsification
OF habitual propriety was exem plary and
commendable, Judge Torrens. who
chafed with irritation as the young
priest rolled out each jaw-breaker, at
Come, sir, no more of this. Say
shortly what you know OF these men.
Are they honest!"
GAS far Us my experience of their
department, am under that impress.
sion."
"You think they are. That conpre
Eends grea; deal, said the Ju.iae. sttl
displaying temper. Turning to the
priest, he said: 'That will do-go down,
sir"
O'Connell, assuming an air of great
Indignation, as the priest shuftied of the
table, addressing the prisoners in tone
OF deep cOmmiseration, said {: "My poor
fellows, bigotry is on the bench, and,
when your excellent young priest has
been soignominiousiy turned out of court
l am in despair of being able to serve
you. Here's you brief and fee.''
He flung the brief and the notes to
the agent for the prisoners, and COM
menced putting on his cloak, mutteriug:
"My innocent clients, I despair alto
gether now Of your acquittal. You'll be
hanged, and never were men hanged
more unjustly. The only hope I can
look to is that, If your sentence is rot
carried into execution before the twelve
Judges meet 1 will bring this outrageous
case before them"
This had the effect inten2ad. Judge
Torrens invited O'Conneil to continue
the defense Of his clients, and to this.
after sonie pretended reluctance, O'Con-
nell assented. The case went Oh, and
the Judge, to show he was no bigot, put
the character for honesty given the pris-
oners by the priest so strongly that the
Try, almost instantly, brought in their
verdict, not guilty.