The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-03
only feasible itioa that crcpt into tny head
was the Impeachment OF Smith. But ho"i


worth wor,ipc nns As have before stated,
didn't ike Smiths looks ut all. hut VINO
cared II | didn't lie must be iinpeachcd -
that's ali there was in that END OF u. \
younc man. life was at siake-probably -
pair of them, for II failed 10 secure that
81 900. had about made up my nlnd that
Texas soil wou!d hide my carcass from we"
soon after the adjournment OF court
The day arrived Tor the trial Court com
noncod. the case was brought before the
crapd inry. and true bill found against
Brown. "a every one exIected, and on the
third day OF the session the case was taken
up in court, the house being crowded with
anxious spectators
The indictment recitea that, "On the night
of the 18th Of February the defendant, John
Hrown did by force aud arms and with
malice aiorethought. shoot, eiii, murder ana
assassinate one Reed, III the peace OF Go1 ana
the state etc a Jury was soon Impane!ed,
and the examination OF witnesses commenced
--oll of which WIS uuimportant circumsian
tiaI evilrnco but ali pointing 70 Browns
guilt The state was relying principally
upon Smiths testimony, and Ae was placed
upon the stand
lie took his place with more alaorty,
thought. than was becoming under the cir
rums,ances. and determined 70 jerk some
of the conceit and self Importance outoi b!n,
az any rate. before turned him loose
After the usual preliminary questions alb
ruptly asked.
Now. sir. where were you on the night in
question:
Hesitating a moment, be answered; AT
Squire Jones'"
"What were you doing thereT was my
next query
"Guess that's my business" be Appantly
answered
Guess its mine. tool retorted. What
we're you doing therer
g, decline 10 answer" be insolently re-
turned.
| deliberately appealed 10 the bench. His
honor. who had apparently gone to sleep
thinking, suppose that the case was too dead
against my client 10 require any watchful-
ness on his part--opened the eye next 70 tue
witness and storned out;
ANSWER the question"
Thus unmistasably urged, Smith answered:
Il was paying visit to the 'squires
daughter"
All you were. ehl Who elss was there"
The family, Of course"
no doubt Who elsef'
81 will not answer, and the witness began
10 show signs Of rest!essness.
arose TO my feet. If your honor please,
IL the defendants life is TO be triNe1 With
in this manner, shall make motion TO
Guash the indictment without further pro
ceedings"
This impertnent little speech had the effect
to open both eyes OF the court and bis mouth
at the same time
"If tho witness hcs1tates to answer another
question propounde1 10y the counsel, I'll
have him sent to tail so quick 1t will give him
collie"
who else was theref' again asked.
John Brownp
The defendant heref
Certainly
Are you both addressing the young lady
IN question:
81 suppose 50"
Are you on good terms with each otneri"
ave are
Who left the house hrstP
He did,
How long before you left,'
About fifteen minutes
"And you say you saw the defendant shoot
the peddleri"
II certainly did,' very promptly and de-
cidedly
"What time was IT.
About 10 O'Clock"
''Are you owl eyed that YOU can 50 plainly
distinguish objects in the dark
"Oh. the moon was shining very bright
he triumphuutiy answered
"Ah, that explains it" | said, taking an
almanac from my pocket. n glance % the
"moous phase FOR tLat uonth-which /
had not taken the trouble To examine before,
and which did now because | didn't know
what else TO do--reveaed u me tho astOund-
ing fact that the moon changed on the 2Stb
Of that month, consequently couldn't shine
on the 18th.
Turning TO the witness said. II see here
the moon changed on the %sth, and you must
have been in another country " see 1T at 10
O'Clock on the 29th"
Smith was as speechess as u cold potato;
the Judge grunted. the solicitor looked wild.
didn't press the point That was lmpeach-
ment No | but had more for MIN.
Now, sir, what year IS thisT
1850, OF course" be answered
as II leap year,
"N-no, | believe not"
Then February this year had but twenty
eight days, if | am not mistaken How's
thatf'
The witness looked like he was about 10 he
scalped, and was utterly unable 10 speak
Lie No 3 But still had another shot.
What are yolr initials, Mr. Smiths"
Nv. C." DO faltered
us this your documentf | asked, produc-
ing pistol which sad gotten possession Of,
and which had been found near the body OF
the murdered man.
II guess uot-l have no pistol, be- STAN
mered
NO. but you did have This one has the
letters w c. S plainly marked on IT,"
"Humphr grunted his honor, Whilo the
witness evinced unmistakabie symptoms of
fainting
This was tho third evidence for impeach-
ment. and felt such commSeration for the
follow that would not pursue him further
''lf your honor please" SAID, you see the
witness has Systematically perjured himself
from beginning to end, and | will rest my
case here without argument"
MAY il please your honor" blubbered the
states attorney, there is a fatal error IN
the Indictment. and