The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-03-03

utu Uttu cuUScu, duu TIC WITNESSES WoAo
all present save 0ne-Blake's widow.
Pretty soon there was . stir at the
door, then q murmur of surprise ran.
through the crowdedroom.
ssMay be cursed" said Jake Smith,
audibly." if she hasn't brought her
babyrs
What reason she may have had for
not leaving the little thing in charge Of
some sympathizing woman-and there
were plenty who would have been glad
of the trust-was not apparent; however
that might be-. there is was, clasped
firmly in her aims, its bright red cheeks
contrasting with her whiteness, and its
fathers sunny hair nilngaing with her
dark locks.
With some difficulty way was made
through the throng to her seat, which
had been placed on one side Of the
Ju lge, directly opposite the candie.box
on the other, where Antonio sat She
took her place and never moved during
the whole of the trial. excepting as she
was required to testify, and once when
the baby tugged at some glistening
thing that lay hidden in the folds Of her
dress, at which she took pains to distract
its attention with a chip from the floor.
As for the baby, it sat there with its big
blue eyes open to there fullest extent,
entirely absorbed in the novel scene,
save at the moment when that irresistible
glitter caught its eye.
Every one being now present, the trial
went on in good earnest. A number. OF
witne sses were examined, whose testi-
monv s.>owed that Gueldo had had
trouble WITH Blake, and more than once
threatened his life; that Gueldo's pistol
had one charge e.ppty on the evening Of
the day of the murd,,r, whereas in the
morning it had been flu; that ne was
seen that morning around .hak :, 8 mouse;
and more than that, Blake 8 svit'ow naa
heard Gueldo's voice just befcr. inc
fatal shot, and had seen his retreaA ns
form as she ran out
At this last point the Galveston lawyer /,
asked the witness a few questions re-.
garding how she knew it was Gueldo's,
and how she had recognized the voice
for his. She didn't know how exactly,
but was none the less sure for that.
There had been a rumor about that
some one had heard Antonio make a
boast Of having ssdone for Blake this
time, but if there were q witness for
this he could not be found now.
And so the prosecution closed.
The Galveston lawyer began by involv-
ing in a whirlpool of hopeless contradic-
lion the witness who had sworn to hav.
ing seen Gueldo near Blake's house.
Then he expatiated on the ease with |
which one person may be mistaken for |
and brought a witness to show |
how Gueldo had already been said TO |
some one in the village. |
Finally he produced three Of the i'll con-
1itioned fellows before referred to, who |
wore that Antonio was with them on q /
lunting expedition during the whole Of
he day on which the murder was COM
nitted.
1t was clear case Of alibi. Jake
smiths establishment at the ease with
which the thing had been accomplished
vas unbounded. He threw disgusted |
COX towards Pitblado, bat the Judge was
lonplussed and didn't seem to b |
with things in Jake's vicinity.
Gentlemen of the jury said he,
things has took turn I didn't
Iltogetherexpec'. Idon't know as there's
much to be said. s'pose you've got to
70 by the evidence, an that don't need
my explainin', Ef you kin make out,
'ccordin' ter that. that Antonio Gueldo |
Tiled Jem Blake, why. jest recollect
hats what yer here fur S
Jake Smith fidgeted about on his box
nd cast anxious glances through the |