Connecticut western news., 1882-09-13
O,CONNELL'S READY WIT.
How it won Him two Striking
 Victories.

At the Clare Assizes in Eunis, two brothers, named Hourigan, were ar rested for setting fire to @ police bar rack. the property of Darby O'Grady, Esq and it was stated the barrack had been ignited by means of 8 jar of pitch found half consumed near the burned barrack.
 O'Connell was employed for the de. fense, and by his desire skillet con- taining pitch was secretly placed near the witnesses chair, and over this O'Connell placed his broad -brimmed hat, so as to effectually conce al it. The principal witness for the prosecution swore ''that he discovered the barrack on fire, and knew it was set on fire by pitch, for he got the smell of it.
 'You know the smell of pitch, then P said O'Oonnell.
 "I do, well," replied the witness.
 You seem 8 man able to smell pitch anywhere ?" said O'Connell.
 Anywhere found it."
 "Even here in this courthouse, if it were here ?''
 "No doubt I would"
 "And do you swear you don't get the smell of pitch here ?" asked O'Connell.
 II do solemnly," replied the witness. "If it were here I'd smell it."
 Then O'Connell, taking his hat off the skillet of pitch which was placed beside the witnesses chair, cried:
 "Now you may go down, you per jured rascal P
 This saved the clients. The jury dis credited the witness.
 At Limerick O'Oonnell had & case to defend which presented slight hopes of his being able to obtain an acquittal. His two clients were indicted for rob- bery, and the case was substantially proved against them. They called a 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 poly syllable terms he could devise. Having stated that "their reputation for rectifi- cation of habitual propriety was ex- emplary and commendable, Judge Torrens, who chaied 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 honest ?"
 "As far as my experience of their de- pertinent. I am nnder that impression"
 "You think they are. That compre- hends good deal" said the judge, still displaying temper. Turning to the priest, he said: ''That will do-go down, sir"
 O'Conneli, assuming an air of great indignation, as the priest shuff1ed off 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 so ignominiously turned out of court, am in despair of being able to serve. Here's your brief and fec"
 He flung the brief aud the notes to the agent for the prisoners, and com- menced putting on his cloak, mutter ing "My innocent clients, I despair altogether 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 not carried into execution before the twelve judges meet, will bring this outrageous case before them"
 This had the effect intended. Judge Toyrens invited O'Connell to continue the defense 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 honesty given the prisoners by the priest so strongly that the jury almost instantly brought in their verdict. not guilty.