Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-16
Her solemn Oath.

der of his own child, Arthur Berkeley,
the prisoner, had married Edith Gran
ger, wealthy heiress. whose father had
died, leaving her his whole fortune, to
the exclusion Of a prodigate son, whom
be had disinherited and driven from his
home.
Mrs. Berkeley died within year after
her marriage, leaving an infant few
weeks old, feeble little creature, re-
curing constant and sssidaous care.
Indeed. DIR. Baldwin almost took up his
quarters in the house, often passing the
night there. that he might be at hand
u case of need.
One of these nights the doctor, as he
sfterward stated in his evidence, after
retiring to bed, feeling solicitous about
his little charge, got up and stole softly
TO the nursery to see if everything was
all right.
He found the door ajar and q dim
light burning within. As he advanced
he distinctly saw Arthur berkley stand
ing by the cradle, holding to the child's
mouth the bottle from which it was ac-
customed to receive its food. At the
sound of tue doctors footsteps he put
down the bottle and stealthily left the
apartment.
Not a little surprised at these move
ments the doctor approached and lald
his hand upon the child's face, which
be found in violent commissions, which
we're followed in few seconds by the
stiffness of death.
a post -mOrteN examination placed II
beyond doubt that prussic acid had
been administered, and an examination
of the bottle proved that the milk in II
contained a large quantity OF the same
deadly poison.
On this evidence Berkly was arrested
and indicted for murder. An incentive
to 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.
Berkeley's previous character was
good. He had always appeared gentle
and kind; had been devoted husband,
and during the brief period OF his life
had shown the tenderest attachment 70
his child.
In my conferences with him he seem
ed overwhelmed with grief, but strenu-
ously denied all impstations of guilt,
asserting that he had not gone to tie
nursery after retiring that night till
called by the alarm of the child S death.
DR.. Baldwin was the first and chi,f
witness. He told his story clearly and
methodically; and it was easy to see il
carried conviction to the jury. Ms
rigid Gro s examination only served 10
bring out the evidence with more dis
tinctness of detail. elected the fact,
for instance, that the child's nurse lay
In the same room; that she was aslet p
when the doctor entered, and that it was
to her he first attributed the child :
death.
The doctor had only recently settlel
among us, but his conduct had been 50
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.
interrogated as TO his past career, but
brought out nothing to his discredit.
The evidence of the chemist who
made the analysis was next put IN, and
the States Attorney rested"
81 have brought the nurse here" he
said, "but as sue was asleep when the
prisoner entered her evidence is unIm
portant. l thought it my duty to have
her here, however, to 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.
She WAS mIddle-aged woman of not
un-preposseSsing appearance. Her agi-
tation was visible, and Loticed that in
taking the oath she laid her hand beside
the book instead of upon it. 81 ask that
the witness be sworn with her hand on
the book" | said, calling attention to
the omission
The Judge so ordered. and the wit
ness hand shook violently sshe reluc-
tantly obeyed the direction, and the oath
was readministered.
asked few preliminary questions
as to the hour of Ter retiring, her fall
ing asleep, etc.
What Is the next thing you remem-
beTt' ! then asked.
The witness Lesitated.
ANSWER the question:" said his
Honor.
IL heard noise as of some one
coming into the roOm," she faltered.
''DId you see any one enter?"
Another pause.
repeated the inquiry.
Il did" was the answer.
What did the person dop'
The wOman's face grew paler, and it
was with difficulty she found utteranee.
He came to the side of the cradle"
she said, with the bottle of milk in his
hand, and put it to baby's mouth"
The Judge and States Attorney both
bent forward in eager attention. TIE
latter, it was evident, had not expected
this testimony.
l felt that my questions, thus far had
only served to draw the halter closer
about my clients neck. But had gone
too far &c retreat. Ny voice trembled
almost as much as that of the witness
as proceeded.
Did you recognize the person?"
II did, was the answer, scarcely
audible.
My clients life hung on the answer
to the next question. The silence in the
court room was death-hke. | dreaded
to break it. The sound of my own voice
startled me when / spoke.
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, adjure you to
speak the truth" | SAID earnestly.
Her agitation was fearful to witness.
a deadly pallor overspread her face
Slowly raising her trembling hand, and
pointing at DR.. Baldwin:
THAT is the manln she almost Shrek
ed.
Then, in quick, wild accents, she
went on to tell that on finding himself
discovered by reason of her waking, the
cuiprlt who was none other than George
Granger, Mrs. Berkeley's prOfligate
brother, Lad disclosed TO her that his
purpose was to regain his lost inherit
ance by putting out of the way those
who stood between him and it, promis-
ing the witness to provide for her hand.
somely if she kept his secret, but when
put to the test She had found herself