The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-21

but the law was practically imperative
while it ran counter to public opinion.
Twenty years before the date of the
present narrative two sisters named
Kennedy had been carried off by forcs
in open day. A prosecution was inst1-
tuted against their captors, and the
young women, with reluctant modesty,
consented to appear as witnesses. Ev-
cry means, however, was used to deter
them from coming forward. Popular
feeling ran SO high that it was actually
necessary to guard them through two
counties with detachment of military
as they went to prosecute, and it was
hailed by the decent section of Irish So
ciety as remarkable triumph Of JUS
tice when the offenders We're found
guilty and hanged.
In such circumstances it was not per-
haps surprising that Sir Henry Hayes
could not be made amenable. He was
a well known man; he was criminal;
he had incurred the pains and penal
ties of outlawry; rewards amounting to
nearly 81, 600 had been offered for his
apprehension, yet he walked about OPEN
" in the streets of Cork among his
friends and acquaintance, enjoying
himself to the top Of his bent at balls
and festivals and races, like a fine old
Irish gentleman all of the olden time.
Not only so, but the hspless young lady,
whose life he had rendered miserable by
his villainy, was forced for her personal
safety to take refuge in England, away
from her family and her home.
Two years elapsed. The gallant
knights sister and accomplice was now
dead, and he himself DESTROYS of bring
ing ''the Pike affair to a conclusion
possibly owing to the depleted state Of
his exchequer. At all events, he wrote
a letter to Miss Pike, half appealing,
half threatening. The poor prosecuted
man stated that his conduct had been
honorable and delicate throughout; that
no lady with spark of humanity in
her bosom could thirst for his blood;
that if she did indulge in such an I'M
ladylike thirst it would be worse for
her, and that he was willing to abide
his trial in the city of Cork, where, he
thanked heaven, he's stood as high as
any man in the regards of rich and poor.
So this pious, honorable and eminent
ly delicate knight at last appeared in
court. The sentence Of outlawry was
reversed without opposition, as the pros
ecutors wished the trial to take place
on the original charge of abduction. a
motion for change of venue on the
ground of the prisoners popularity in
Cork was made by counsel for the pros
ecution, but the judges dismissed it,,
stating that they believed Cork jury
would remember what they owed to
their oaths, to their families and to
their country and would do their duty
without fear, favor or affection.
The friends of Miss Pike spared no
expense to secure a conviction. Cur
ran, then at the zenith of his fame, was
brought down special" to Cork to pros
ecute. Besides being the most brilliant
advocate that the Irish bar ever pro-
duced, he was the darling of his coun-
trymen. and to do him justice few men
better deserved their affection. AS he
passed into the courthouse an old fish
woman, who had known him in earlier
days, saluted him with:
"Hooray, counselor dearl hope you
will gain the dayi''
"Take care what you say, my good
woman, answered the counselor, smil-
ing, 'for if l gain the day you'll GER
%,;x,1xy 1oon fba I-tpinbff,5
Curran was more used to the defense
of prisoners than to their prosecution,
but in the present case he produced a
profound effect by a speech at once lu-
minous, eloquent and pathetic, worthy
to rank among the best orations that
even he had ever delivered.
The evidence and the eloquence were
alike overwhelming. The jury, much
to Sir Henry's surprise and horror,
brought in a verdict of guilty, and the
prisoner was sentenced to death. Con-
lternatien fell upon his friends at this
unexpected result. Was 1t possible that
a real Irish gentleman should suffer the
fate of a vulgar croppy for such an
amiable weakness? The thing was alb
surd, outrageous, incredible. Sir Hen
ry's friends set to work and made siren
uous efforts on his behalf. Owing to
their exertions, Sir Henry Hayes, like
that other eminently moral knight, Si1
John Falstaff, remained unhung, the
sentence of death being committed into
one of transportation for life.
Time ran on. After passing some
years in Punishment Sir Henry got his
sad case brought to the notice of the
prince regent, who obtained pardon
for the delinquent, and Sir Henry was
restored to that select circle which had
so long mourned his loss.
But when be returned to his native
land times had changed, deathblow
had been given to the abduction Of
young girls. a more enlightened public
sentiment was gradually growing up in
Ireland, and to adopt the lines of Mrs.
Hemans:
His banner led the spears no more
Among the hills of Cork.
n