The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-27

Jl mbered the romantic episode in the life of
Harry Stoke, ana still told the tale how he was
knitted iu Tow by girl and taken M for dead.
Now. had The case been fully reported; had GER
tain questions been asked which should have
teen a>ked-Ead l been upon the jury l would
have asked these questions, namely: why this
grl called upon TINS young gentleman in his
chambers on Sunday afternoon? what ID been
their relations? whether she brought that knife
with hero what she said before the thing was
done? and so forth. There might have been
some sympathy for the girl; the jury-l know
not-might Lave brought III different verdict,
and there would nave been a corresponding YER
diet OF an equivalent sentence passed upon the
injured man by The world outside the courts.
Let us add one OF TWO details not reported In
The papers.
Tie case was taken after luncheon. When
the prisoner was placed in the dock she lifted
her veil and looked round the court with seem
Ing curiosity she was pale, but not trembling
or confused, nor did she appear IN the least
afraid. If size hau been a mere SPECTATOR she
could not have been more unmoved. When she
had looked steadily at the Judge on the bench,
The Jury IN thelr box, The clerk below, Inc
COUNSEL In their Wigs, size Lowered her veil,
folded her hands and stood impressive. Being
called upOn to plead she made no audible reply,
bui the official beside her leaned over her and
informed the Court that the prisoner pleaded
NOT guilty
slderlng ali tue facts OF the case, one might have
expected him 10 be in highly nervous and ast-
O., ell condition Of mind and body. II is always
Hurrld 90 into a WltDeSS-b0X and give evil
usuca, even when one has 10 give so TO
SPEAK, outside evidence But in such
case this, when ones motives may
te so cruelty msintsrpreied and ones
ScriOns haIshy Judged, and when one may
be asked the most dlsaEreeabls questions about
things one would willingly bury and forget. aud
when facts oil most damaging KIND may nave
To be admitted, to go tnJO witneSs-b box must be
tie most disagreelble thing In the world for a
sensitive and candid soul Only consider what
tie young man had To confess! Yet lie marched
into TIN box upright and confident, his cheek
nIfle flushed, without the least apparent nerv-
uusuess. The reason Of this was | suppose, a
little mole which lay In his pochef. II contained
these words:
My sister bids me tell you thar she will give
no account at all OF what took place. she viii
have 10 gu sttous asked about her relations
with you What you say In your evidence shall
60 UNIQUE ilOned-NAOML"
He went into the box, therefore, fortified by
the knowledge that lie could say anything lie
pleased Let us believe that he did really con
celye himself to have been deliberately sta bbed
by The girl; lie so well deserved that punishment
that he had 40 doubt In his mind Us 10 her hay-
lns done il on purpose. He deposed simply that
lie glil had called upon MIN, that there had been
an alteration, That the prisoner seized a small
pape!-knlie with a steel blade, and that he re-
nemDeTed nothing more.
The counsel for the defense said he was in
structed TO ask him one question: Could not the
wound have been Inflicted by accident?
Witness SAID he could not say.
There were no other questions asked. and he
LETT tile box. Well be had been stabbed; he had
been obliged 10 go into court and To slate that
fact. What good would IL do to 90 into other
matters? People must not be stabbed even by
girls who have been deserted. Personally lie
was horribly ve1ed about the whole business
not to SPEAK OF the pain caused by the wound
But what could he do? lie was very sorry for
Tie girl. but il would not help Him II all tie story
OF lis enlargement was proclaimed IN open
court Observe that when young gentleman
ike Mr.. Harry Stoke behaves in Ibis Kind Of
way It IS always an ENHANCEMENT into which lie
has fallen, and, among his female relatives the
other party entengled is always the most crafty,
tie most subtle, The most designing, the most
sOfeseelng, the most far-reachng she-devll that
ever walked about with intent 10 eutrap and
destroy the sons OF women.
The next witness was the housekeeper at the
chambers, who depOsed that, being engaged IN
the adjoining room, she heard voices IN dispute
that one OF them was a wOman's voice; that she
heard scUtfe OF feet and heavy fall. followed
by wOman's shrek; that she ran into the room
aud saw Mir. Stoke lying on tie floor IN pool of
blood, and the prisoner standing him, the
dagger dripping with blood IN her hand; and
thai all she SAID was, " / have killed him! !
have killed hint"