The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1891-02-14
a Jury.
Why It Gave q Verdict In Favor OF Wick
Donnell.

Why It Gave q Verdict In Favor OF vlcky
Donnsll.
The following 10 one Of the west-codn-
try stories which the late Sir Stafford
Northcote was fond Of telling:
One day. as Mr.. Hicks was going into
Bodmin, he met Mr.. a farmer. who
lived near Launceston.
"Marnin', Mr.. Hicks"
"Good morning, Mr.. -; why, I
thought you always kept Launoeston
market?"
"Well, SO I did till vicky Donnell's
trial"
Now, Mr.. Vincent Donnell was a vet
Urinary surgeon, who had been tried IN
the accusation OF having poisoned his
mother-in-law, an old lady who had died
rather suddenly after a hearty supper
on rabbit and onions. Vicky Donpsll
was acquitted, to the great astonish-
ment of the world at large.
"Ah, that's another question" said
Mr.. Hicks; W II were foreman of the
jury; how came you to let Vicky Dom
nell Off"
snow, Mr.. Hicks, you'me so bad as
the rest Of them; they're always asking
why we let'n off, but I'll tell you how
twas.
1--WE were shut up in q dark room
without food, fire or candle, and told we
must find a verdict; So, when Te talked
some time, Gentlemen I says, we
can't sit here oil night, that's certain,
SO we'll take opinions. What do you
say, Mr.. --?' We was sittin' all round
Q long table. you know. and / spoke 70
the nearest
"'Why, l think the mans had very
hard measure; I don't think he did It 1t
all. She died of the rabbit and onions;
what bizness had an old CONAN like
her Il be aiting rabbit and onions at
that time Of night%
"'Well.' says Mr.. Pengelly. who sat
next, I think twas the arsenic did it.
They doctors be SO frolicsome with their
arsenic, always trying things on; still,
rs twas to be experimental like, I
think twas much to his credit that he
took an old woman to try it on; he
might "a took & young one.'
$50 I think says Mr.. Boase. Z
should not like TO hang Vicky Donnell
for the likes Of her; l reckon she was Q
very tadious sort Of old CONAN. She's
not the frst tadious sort Of old CONAN
that been put out of the way, not by
many Q wan. l shouldn't like to hang
Vicky Donnell for the likes of her.
"'No more should L. says the next,
for Vicky Donnell he saved my wife's
life in the scarlet fever; she'd q died
else
eyes, and he saved my pig in the
measles said the fifth, so there's two
lives for one, take it how you will
Well says the next, I do not think
US ought to let him off altogether. I
think We ought to give him six months
on the debtors side.'
90. you can't do that, mister says I;
1T must be neck or nothing
"'Well, them says he, I'm for moth
ing, I'm sure
"Well. Mr.. Hicks, l thought there was
a good deal in 1t, Mr.. Hicks; a good deal;
but 1 didn't like quite to make up my
mind, s 70 / call en- down the TABLETOP
twas grown 30 dark you couldn't see
your head-to Abraham Smith of Gram
pound-him with the squeaky voice,
you know-us calls him Winnick for
short; Mr.. Smith, says for you know,
Mr.. Hicks, being foreman Of jury. I need
not call him by his short name-'Mr.
Smith, says I-'Winnick,' ! adds, that
he might know who l was n-speaking to
what do you say to it? I've as good
an opinion Of your Judgment as Of any
man at the table, and you live over
against the man opposite the water, as
'twere, so you must know-what do you
thinkP'
well, mister says he. what you
gay, | gay, tu.'
Sir says I-'Winnick,' says II
shall respect your Judgment the longest
day ! have to live
Then ! asks the next two, and they
said they'd go with the majority
Well says l, you go with us, and
you'll be the majority
8 they went with US. and we were
the majority. And that's how Vioky
! psansii got sR"-Lenasa Star.