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

which no one would think of rejecting, hat
escaped the death which had fallen to the lot O.
her husband, by wonderful providence Sup
pose she had not made an exchange of cups
and had herself become the victim, on whom
would the suspicion have fallen? 1t was {
frequent question and one that I shuddred tt
consider.
The day of the trial at length came, but
with all my efforts had not been able to un
ravel the mystery. A strong impression hat
been made against Mrs. Laroche, which
knew would find it next to impossible to re-
move The aristocratic set into which she
had married, but which had declined receiving
her among themselves, very sincerely believed
her guilty. It was what very naturally might
have been expected, they argued, from one OF
her class.
There were, however, many of another class
in life, to whom she was we'll known, who ut
terly refused to entertain the thought of hel
guilt They undertook her cause with enthu'
siasm, and were ready to stake their lives
upon her innocence.
sought an interview with the physicians
who had attended Laroche upon his deatl
bed. Old DIR. Houser had been summoned
from the side Of the dying man by news OF the
serious illness of sister who lived in distant
community and had not yet returned. DIR.
Bliss, the consulting physician, could add
nothing to what had already learned.
| was left to fight the case alone, while the
relatives of the deceased man retained for the
assistance of the prosecuting solicitor two OF
the shrewdest and ablest lawyers on the cir
cult.
Notwithstanding the array against her, my
client was calm and composed. Not even hel
hand trembled when she was called to raise it
at the bar to plead nor did her tongue hest
tate or falter when clearly and distinctly she
answered, s'Not Guilty" to the bill of indict'
ment She had nerved herself up to some.
| thing of almost superhuman endurance to
battle, not for her life that was staked upon
the issue of the trial, but for the good name
that was so bitterly assailed. 1 began to trem'
BILE for her, for 1 had learned that morning,
not from herself, but from a kind-hearted
and considerate matron, that she was in toe
delicate and critical a condition to undergo
so dread an ordeal as that to which she was
exposed, without fearful risk to another
life than her own. I saw that her presence
and manner had made most favorable impress
sion on the presiding judge, as well as on the
Jury, and knew that, 50 far as he was con-
cerned, he would exert every proper influence
in securing to the prisoner fair trial, with
humane and merciful construction OF the
facts in the case.
1t was with grand flourish that the prose
cution proved her admission, that, during the
brief absence of Laroche from the breakfast
table, she Lad replaced his cup by her own.
When the answer had been drawn from DR..
Bliss, with dramatic effect the prosecuting
attorney raised his hands in horror and sur
prise, looked around at my client, then at the
jury, and as if overcome by the full proof OF
an enormous crime, folded his arms and stood,
glaring around him with horror
"Your Honor, 1 have nothing more to ask
nothing" said he, in a suppressed tone, and
he sank into his seat and covered his face with
his hands as if to shut out some fearful sight.
The audience seemed awed and impressed
by this capital bit of acting. 1 was on my
feet in moment and could not repress smile
at the stage trick of my opponent.
cdr Bliss how did you happen to learn the
fact that the cups at the table were exchanged
by Mrs. Laroche? Was it not from her
own voluntary and unsolicited statement -
asked l.
''It was an altogether voluntary statement
onher part,' answered the witness.
''Did you ever BEFORE" continued /, "com-
municate to the prosecuting attorney the
substance of her statement %
81 believe l did, and in the same terms,
in which l have Just given it from this stand"
''Did he manifest any great emotion OF
horror at that time, Doctor, or did he re-
ceye YOUR statement with calmness and COM
posure 20
eHe listened to it quite calmly thought
sir" was the reply.
''Well, then, do you not think, he has given
us here quite choice bit Of fine acting, to
make an impression on his audience ?" The
witness looked down and smiled. He saw
nv question was not one which required an
answer from him, but rather from the jury
and audience. l motioned to him that he
might retire and he left the stand.
1 had no witness to put up except my client
herself had concluded that it would be too
severe trial to one in her condition and that
she could bring forward no new fact in the
case. determined, therefore, to offer no tes-
timony, since really had none that would
avail and was well satisfied since this manage
ment would secure ME the closing argument
in defence of my client. 1 was waiting to see
what further testimony the prosecution would
offer, and gave no indication Of the course /
intended to pursue.
The prosecuting lawyers were consulting
together and 1 was patiently waiting their ac-
ton, when I felt tug at my elbow, and look
ing around saw Doctor Houser, who had just
forced his way to my side, putting and blowing
with the effort. He was red-faced, impul-
sive, energetic man, and had just entered the
Court room, having reached home but a few
minutes before. He was evidently laboring
under some strong excitement.
"You haven't closed your case yet Rich
ards, have you ?" askedhe, in an excited whis-
per.
'sNo I have not called my witnesses yet.
l am waiting OH the prosecution, answered l.
''They have not closed their testimony yet, |
| believe.n
"Well, for mercy's sake, whenever I am
called have Mrs Laroche withdrawn from the
courtroom"
''That won't do, doctor /; this is trial for
life, and it would be quite irregular to hear
testimony in the absence of the prisoner. She
will have to remain.''