Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-07-18

out his evidence with more distinctness OF
detail. He was interrogated as to his
past career, but it brought out nothing to
his discredit.
The evidence of the doctor who made
the post-mortem was next put in, and the
States attorney rested.
II have brought the maid here," he
said, s'but as she. was half asleep and the
room dark at the time, her EVIDENCE is un-
important. thought it my duty to have
her here, however, to afford the other side
the the, opportunity F to call her If they de-
Nothing could render the prisoners case
more hopeless than it was already: while
something might come out ITO his advan-
tage. ps,,,:o,,
lawyer.
She was handsome and young. Her
agitation was visible, and it was 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 hand on the book" said Rosalio's law
yer, calling attention to the omission.
The Judge so ordered, and the witness's
hand shook violentls as she areluGta tantly
obeyed the direction, and the oath was
administered.
After few preliminary questions as to
the hour of her retiring, her falling asleep,
etc., "What is the next thing you. remem-
Der 2" was asked.
The witness hesitated.
"Answer the question:" said the court.
"I-I heard noise as of some one COM
ing into the room," she faltered.
ibid you see any one enter"
Another pause, when the inquiry was
II did" was the answer.
"What did the person do?'
The woman's face grew pale, and it was
with difficulty she found utterance.
"He came to the bedside of my mistress,
and, after cutting her throat, covered her
body with stab wounds"
The court and lawyers for the prosecu-
ton leaned forward in eager attention.
The latter, it was evident, had not expect
ed this testimony.
The questions thus far had only served
to draw the halter closer around Rosalio's
neck. But his counsel had gone too far to
retreat. His voice trembled as much as
that of the witness as he proceeded.
"Did you recognize the person."
II did" was the answer, scarcely audi
BILE. -,
Rosalio's life hung on the answer to the
next question. The silence of the court
room was death-like. The sound of the
lawyers voice startled him as he spoke.
"Who was it?" was asked.
Her lips moved, but no sound came.
"By the solemn oath you have taken on
this sacred book and by your hopes OF SAL
walton hereafter, I adjure you to speak the
truth" said the lawyer, earnestly.
Her agitation was fearful to witness.
She shook from head to foot, deadly pal
lor overspreading her face. Slowly raising
her trembling hand and pointing at Juan
Bocuna:
"That is the man" she almost shrieked.
Then, in quick, wild accents, she went
on to tell that on finding himself discov-
cred by reason of her waking, the culprit,
who was no other than Juan Medanos,
Juanita's prof1igate brother, had disclosed
to her that his purpose was to regain MS
lost inheritance by putting his sister out OF
the way, promising the witness to provide
for her handsomely if she kept his secret !;
but when put to the test she had found
herself unable to violate her solemn oath.
Juan Medanos, alias Juan Bocuna. the
mysterious stranger, would have lett the
courtroom, but an officer was ordered to
detain ! i'm; and when his disguise was
removed, though he had been absent
many years, there were many present who
could testify to his identity.
Rosalio was acquitted on the spot, and
his cell in the prison was occupied by his
false accuser, who subsequently, was hanged
for the unnatural crime of numbering his
sister