Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-11-04
Her Solemn Oath.

prisoner, had married Eultn Granger,
wealthy heiress, whose father had died,
leaving her his whole fortune, to the
exclusion of a profigate son. whom he
had disinheritsd and driven from his
home.
Mrs. Berkley died within year after
ner marriage, leaving an infant few
weeks old, feeble little creature, re-
auiring constant and asSidu0us care.
Indeed, DR.. Baldwin almosl took up his
quarters in the house, often passing the
night there, that he might be at hand
in case of need.
One of these nights as he afterward
stated in his evidence, after retiring to
bed, feeling solicitous about his little
charge, got up and stole softly 10 the
nursery to see if everything was all
right.
He found the door ajar and dim
light burning within. AS he advanced
he distinctly saw Arthur Berkley stand
ing by the cradle, holding TO the chlld's
mouth the bottle from which 1t was
accustomed to receive its food. AT the
sound of the doctors footsteps he put
down the bottle and stealthily left the
apartment.
Not little surprised ct these move
ments the doctor approached and lald
his hand upon the child's face, which
he found ia violent commissions, which
were followed in a few seconds by the
stiffness of death
A post -mortem examination placed II
beyond a doubt that prussic acid had
been administered, and an examination
of the bottle proved that the milk in 1t
contained a large quantity of the same
deadly poison.
On this evidence Berkley was arrested
and indicted of murder. An incentive
10 the crime was found in the fact that
as heir to his child he would inherit the
fortune which had descended TO the
latter through the death of its mother.
Berkley's previous character had been
good. He had always appeared gentle
and kind; had been a devoted husband,
and during the brief period of his life
had shown the tenderest attachment 20
his child.
In nv conferences with him he SEEM
ed overwhelmed with grief, but strenu-
ously denied ali lmputations of guilt,
asserting that he had not gone to the
nursery after retiring that night TIL
called by the alarm of the child S death.
DR., BALDWIN was the first and chief
witness. He told his story clearly and
methodicalIy; and 1t was easy to see it
carried conviction TO the jury. ny
rigid cToSS-eXaminatioD only served 10
bring out the evidence with more dis
tinctness of detail. i elected the fact,
for instance, that the child's nurse lay
in the same room; that she was asleep
when the doctor entered. and that it
was to her lie first attributed the chlld'S
death.
The doctor had only recently settled
among us, but his conduct had been so
exemplary that he had made many
friends. He had especially won the
confidence of the prisoner, as may be
seen from. the facts already stated. L
interrogated as TO his past career, but
brought out nothing 10 his discredit.
The evidence of the chemist who
made the analysis was next put in, and
the states attorney ''reSted."
AZ have brought the nurse here, he
said. "but AS she was asleep when the
prisoner entered her evidence Is unlm-
portant. l thought it my duty to have
her here, however. 10 afford the other
side the opportunity to call her If they
desire.n
Nothing could render the prisoners
case more hopeless than it was already.
while something might come out TO his
advantage.
81 will call the witness,' | said.
Sic was a mlddle-aged woman of not
unprepossessing appearance. Her agi-
tatlon was visible, and | noticed that IN
taking the oath she laid her hand beside
the book and not upon it. 81 ask that
the witness be sworn with her ha d on
the book" L said, calling attention to
the omission.
The Judge 50 ordered, and the wit
ness hand shook violently as she relHc-
tantly obeyed the direction, and the
oath was readministered.
| asked a few preliminary questions
as TO the hour of her retiring, her tall
ing asleep, etc.
"What is the next thing you remem-
ber?'' / then asked.
The witness hen hesitated.
ANSWER the question:" said his
Honor.
IL heard 4 noise as of some one
coming into the rOOm," she faltered.
"Did you see any one enterp'
Another pause,
repeated the inquiry.
81 did" was the answer.
"What did the person dor"
The woman's face grew paler, and 1t
was with difficulty she found utterance.
"He came to the side of the cradle"
4. la L.4+1n of milk IN nlQ
hand, and put it to baby's mouth. "
The judge and s,1te's attorney both
bent forward in eager attention. The
latter, 1t was evident, had not expected
this testimony.
! felt that my questions thus far had
only served to draw the halter closer
about my clients neck. But had gone
too far TO retreat. My voice trembed
almost as much as that of the witness
as proceeded.
''Did you recognize the personP"
81 did, =" was the answer, scarcely au-
dible.
My clients life hung on the answer
II the next question. TIE silence IN the
court room was death-l;ke. | dreaded
TO break it. The sound Of my own voice
startled me when | spoke.
"WhO was it?'' | asked.
Her lips moved, but no sound came.
BY the solemn oath you have taken on
that sacred book, and by your hopes of
salvation hereafter, allure you to
speak the truthl'' | said, earnestly.
Her agitation was fearful To witness.
\ deadly pallor overspread her face.
Slowly raising her trembling hand, aud
pointing at DR.. Baldwin:
THAT is the manl' she almost
shrieked.
Then. in quick. wild accents, she
went on Ia tell that on finding himself
discovered by reason of her waking the
culprit VINO was none other than George
Granger. Mrs. BeIkley's protlisate
brother, had disclosed to her that his
purpose WAS TO regain his iOst Inherit
auce 10y putting out OF the way those
who stocd between h n and It, pTOmis-
ing the witness TO provide FOR heI hand
somely if she kept his secret, but when
put TO the test she had found herself
unable to violate her solemn oath.
George Granger, alas DR.. Baldwin,
would have left the courtroom, but an
officer was ordered to detain him, and