Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-05-25

riedly, as he heard his name called. 'Mrs
Laroche's life will be endangered if you don't,
and he was hurried away to the stand without
my being able to ascertain the nature of the
testimony he had to give.
During the direct examination, it disclosed
nothing new. 1 felt there was still something
behind, which the questions of the prosecution
failed to elicit, and when the witness was
turned over to me, in regard to the facts which
my questions might call out, might, by some
awkward enquiry, draw from him some fact
that might destroy the case of my Client An
old lawyer of many years. experience, who felt
a sympathy for me in my management of this
difficult case, was shrewd enough to see that
the witness had some important disclosure to
make, and from the anxious and troubled
glances that Houser cast towards the prisoner,
he was led to infer that his testimony would
damage her case.
s'IIave a care, Richards whispered he to
me. ''Don't you see from old Houser's coun-
tenance, that you are. about touching off a
mine Take care, or his testimony will blow
your case sky high"
was perplexed; for Houser gave me an en-
treating look, and glanced significantly toward
my client, as if to impress upon me the impor-
tance of attending to the warning he had
given me.
Influenced by his look of anxiety, request
ed permission of the Court to allow Mrs. La
roche to withdraw from the crowded room for
a brief space, alleging her delicate health and
the severe trial to which she had now for
many hours been subjected.
To my surprise, theprosecution Immediately
objected and insisted that she should not be
suffered to evade the consequences to which
her crime had subjected her, one of which was
the confronting of the witnesses introduced
to fasten the guilt upon her.
Before I could rise to utter word in rejoin-
der, my client had risen to her feet in the pris-
oners dock and in low, sweet voice, Which
was nevertheless heard throughout the cham
, ber, waived the indulgence for which [ had
asked, and proclaimed not only her willing
ness, but strong desire to hear all that could
be alleged.
Guilt never spoke in such tone as hers.
There was 50 much modesty and quiet self
possession in her tone and manner, so much for
titude in the midst of circumstances that
would have tried the nerves of strong man,
that an evident and lively sympathy was ex-
cited in her behalf DR.. Houser's face wore
troubled and panied look, and as was now
deprived of all pretext for urging my request,
it was withdrawn and I went on with the
cross examination.
! "You say, Doctor" asked 1, ''there was
arsenic in the cup submitted to your inspec-
tion by Mrs. Laroche ?"
'Quite enough, sir, still remaining to have
destroyed the lives Of two or three strong
men,"
"And Mrs Laroche admitted to you that
she passed this cup to her husbands plate and
took his in exchange because the cup first
served him was turbid %
ssThat was her statement, sir, and thought
it showed a consideration and kindness Of
heart quite in keeping with her character, as
had seen it,"
'sHer statement, then, did not excite your
suspicious of any criminal motive On the part
of this unfortunate lady ?"
"Oh, not at all ~ answered DR.. Houser ; she
is not woman who could possibly perpetrate
such a crime as that. Inexplicable as the
whole affair was, the thought of her guilt
never entered my mind"
The prosecution looked blank and discon-
certed, and was as much surprised as over
loved at the tenor of his testimony. was
somewhat perplexed, too, to conceive what he
had to add to his testimony that would prove
so trying to my client. However dreadful it
might be, was sure it was something that
would fully exonerateher from all suspicion.
"Well, Doctor, believing in Mrs. Laroche's in
nocence, " continued I, ''what conjecture have
you formed as to the manner in which the poi
son came into the cup ?"
IL object to that question:" interposed the
leader of the prosecution, rising to his feet
eve wish no conjectures from the witness we
can form them for ourselves to any extent and
of every variety. We insist that the witness
be confined to statement Of facts, and let
the counsel for the defence have the whole
field of conjecture to himself"
''The counsel for the prosecution" said l,
have already taken possession of that field,
and this whole case is based upon conjecture
that violates the spirit that pervades the law
and assumes innocence until guilt is proved.
The witness is professional man and a chem
st. We simply ask him to say if he can in
any way account for the presence of this dead
ly poison found in the cup. The question in
that shape is certainly admissible.
The Judge ruled in my favor and l awaited
the answer of DR.. Houser who stood silent for
a while and hesitating.
''It is a sad affair and there is no conjecture
about it, said he, looking down, with trou-
bled face-"and 1 had hoped never to be
obliged to tell what know about it but, un-
der such necessity as this, l am bound TO
reveal the truth painful as it is
'sWhen reached the house found Mr.. La
roche suffering the keenest agony from the
poison he had swallowed. I knew it was
case of poisoning and suspected arsenic as the
agent as soon as 1 had an opportunity to note
the symptoms. Then, also, Mrs. Laroche
brought the cup from which he had drunk, IN
which the drug showed for itself. There were
at least three or four grains remaining at the
bottom She explained the affair, so far as
she was able, as you have already heard from
this stand. Laroche was soon delirious and
unconscious. At my request DR.. Bliss was
Immediately called in. | saw the case must
have fatal termination and wished some
brother physician to share with me in the re-
sponsibility. We exhausted all the resources
of our profession to prolong the patients LIE
and mitigate his sufferings. 1 remained at
his bedside until death ensued, which was at a
few minutes past five in the afternoon. Dr.
l. 4l,N