The morning call., 1893-04-29

WI/IHIIZ from his native shores
& TIf ''cockney" accent of
Mqsher Basebs. rich flavor, prese 1ted
queer type Of the
genus ''masher" as he composedly took his
seat beside his counsel, ex-Judge Ferral.
With smoothly shaven skull. garnished
about the ears with fringe Of pale red hair
and with pallid countenance, wearing an
aspect of meekuess, calculated to impress
to the best advantage body of sympathetic
jurymen. he looked as though his mission
were rather to offer prayer for the souls of
the guilty than TO listen to aspersions cast
upon his spotless reputation. He was more
over attired in suit of somber black. duly
appropriate to the surroundings.
Yet Charles Edward Basebe proves to
have one weakness which has triumphed
over all his noble qualities and wrought
him harm. That is his fond admiration for
the fair sex.
And this is tIebly reprehensible in
Basebe, when it is reflected that lie has
been long bound by the ties of wedlock.
BaSebe is an artist-a portrait-painter and
cOlorer of photOgraphs-an has worked
long in the service of photographer of To-
cal renown.
He has for some time resided at Lark
spur. in Marin County, and II has been his
custom to cross to and fro By way Of Sausa-
Ito every week day.
By the same train patroniZed by Basebe
Miss Isabella Worn has also journeyed
to the city. Miss Worn resides wi tn her
parents and family at Larkspur, while she
is engaged as stenOgrapher 10 a well-known
firm on California street.
Miss Worn has sister who has similar
employment in the city and the two youDg
ladies' often cross the bay together.
Miss Worn Is tall handsome young lady
of refined appearance and modest demeanOr
aud showed considerable emotion while
telling the story of her persecution.
1t appears that Basebe became smItten
with her two and halt years ago. He had
never succeeded in obtaining an intro
duction, but had attempted to gain speech
with her by ogling her on every possible
occasion.
II was shown that Basebe had persistently
taken a seat next to her on both car and
boat and had done his best to stare her out
of coup teDance. He had also accosted her
and had logged her footsteps on the street.
Finally on the 18th day of April, 1893
Basebe had deliberately walked up to Miss
Worn on Post street, as she stood looking
through shop window and attempted to
speak with her. Hence Miss Worms cause
Of action.
The courtroom presented an almost gay
appearance. Miss Worn was accompanied
by her parents and sisters and was the
recipient OF many sympathetic glances.
But Basebe sat alone and twirled his
thumbs, while his mind drew fearsOme pie
lures OF what was In store for him. And so
the case was opened.
George A. Worn, the compliments
father, caused the first ripple of merrment
to dance over the solemn proceedings. lie
testified that he had once warned Basebe
that lie must leave his daughter alone, and
that Basebe had retorted insolently.
On being asked il lie had had any further
conversation with the accused, Mr.. Worn,
his white locks shaking with excitement,
said, Yes, sir, had, with my umbrella In
his face"
But this was not all that threatened
Basebe in his worship at the shrine Of
Venus.
a friend of the Worn family, Butler by
name, testified that he had also renonstra-
ted with the defendant in a somewhat ener-
getic manner, winding up by Offering To
give him "a good licking" This was stated
to have elected a promise from Basebe
Never TO do it no more"
But love was stronger than honor, and
the defendants promise, like pie-crust, was
brittle
And so the evidence was piled up against
the unhappy Basebe.
But his attorney did wonders. lie raised
a technical objection to the questions asked
by the prosecuting attorney, j. II. Mahoney,
every ten seconds, and, on having them all
overruled. tried to look as if he was taken
by surprise and frowned ominously at the
jury.
Before putting his client on the witness
stand, Mr.. Ferral called several WE'LL
known photographers and art-dealers of the
city, and requested them to testify that
never in the course of their experience had
they come across any one so utterly guile
less and simple as the most unjustly &C
cused. nor one less calculated TO be inspired
with feelings so reprehensible as those at
tributed to him.
But although these gentlemen did all they
could in honesty and veracly to help Mr..
Basebe. certain facts were ELECTED from
them in crOss-eXaminatiOn.
1t appears that certain differences had
arisen some time ago between Basebe and
his wife, which nearly resulted in divorce
proceedings being instituted against Basebe.
Here the Prosecuting Attorney looked tri-
umphant
But not for long.
In an instant Attorney Ferral was on
his feet and in loud tones exclaimed that n
certain lawyer had sneaked into a happy
home and made trouble between hus-
band and wife, offering to secure divorce
for the latter. "And that man." continued
the lawyer, us my friend. the Prosecuting
Attorney"
There was pretty row here.
The two lawyers forget Judge, jury and
everything else and shouted at one another
until Judge Campbell, after vainly attempt
ing TO restore order by almost breaking his
desk in with his gave, finally brought about
put both the beligerents in tie dock along
side the defendant Basebe.
Then The defendant himself took the
stand.
Basebe almost wept as he told the sad
tale OF how he had been fascinated by the
beautiful young lady.
Asked if he had ever received any en-
enlargement, he said: mo. She used to
come very close TO me at one time, but
latterly not. / did not stare at her insult
ingly. l merely admired her. 1t is not my
nature to insult ladies. l couldn't do it.
She gave Inc the impression that she wished
me to speak to her. But l do not wish to
say anything against the young lady, though
she's been very cruel to me, She has in
deed
What most damaged the defendants case
was his admission Of having written letters
TO Miss Worn under an assumed name, and
asking for a meeting. These letters had
been promptly forwarded to Mrs. Basebe,
who gave the substance of them to the
prosecution, but declined to give up the
originals.
The letters were written on Photographic
paper with the mysterious instructions:
Fades quickly in strong light, slowly in n
dull light. and not at all in the dark. L.
Boyd, care of w. Beggar, 14l0 Folsom street.
city,"
After an adjournment of one hour and a
half for dinner, Attorney Mahoney COM
menced TO put his case before the jury. He
did not speak long, however, and sat down
thoroughly satisfied that he had built a wall
of evidence against Basebe that no human
skill Gould shatter.
But Mr.. Ferral was quickly on his feet
and in a powerful and concise address