The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-25
VERY NEAR THE END.
The First Argument in the Famous
Trial-Durrant Was Inter-
RStRd.

All day young man in broadcloth frock
coat stood in front of long green-covered
table. All day he talked - sometimes
pleadingly, sometimes POLITICALLY, often
argumentatively, always earnestly.
In front of him, on the other side of the
long table. were twelve men, seated. All
day they listened, attentiveIy.
The room was densely crowded. Judges,
lawyers, public men, the wives OF these,
society men and women, and as many of
the unknown public as could be squeezed
into the room elbowed and crowded one
another all day. Merely to hear the voice
OF this young man in broadcloth? Hardly
that.
There is another figure that shares al
ways the interest of the crowds that seek
the courtroom. A silent, calm, impressive
figure his is. 1t does not speak, save in an
occasional whisper to Mr.. Dickinson-the
little, nervous woman who sits behind. No
matter who has the floor or the Witness
chair; no matter how eloquent the words
of the counsel or how sensational the tes-
timony of the witness, this silent figure,
never nervous, always cool, Is yet the CEN
trail figure.
Yesterday lady who came to the court
for the first time asked her escort to point
out Durrant Jokingly he pointed to one
of the men at the reporters table.
"What a horrible face he hasl' said the
fair one, and she was looking, too, at one
of the best-natured men on the afternoon
press.
But she thought-for the moment-that
it was Durrant. Imagination did the rest.
And har raY,1arlr Tunnld hou
nearer the mark had she in truth been
looking into the face of Durrant. His is
not pleasant face. twas not pleasant
yesterday while he listened to the words
of the young man who did the talking.
But there was no horror on the face.
Once or twice the mouth opened slowly
and the eyes closed in sleepy yawn. This
was while the young man who did the
talking-Assistant District Attorney Ed
ward ID. Peixotto-was paying his compli-
ments to the court and jury. After awhile
Peixotto got down to the evidence in the
case. Then Durrant turned toward the
speaker and listened attentively, but not
eagerly. He took notes occasionally. Once
or twice he looked with trife more than
the ordinary interest at the speaker, when
the latter made a telling point against
him.
There was some poetry in Mr. Peixotto's
speech-quite little of Introductory COM
pliments-but in all it was telling speech
and Il good argument. 1t was not too long
and it was not too f1owery. But few
lawyers talk careful English to jury, and
Mr.. Peixotto proved not an exception to
the rule.
He was preceded by Miss Cunningham,
who came back on the stand when court
opened in the morning to say that she had
not promised Durrant not to tell the story
about the second landing of the belfry. He
did not require such a promise, as he did
not foresee such contingency. He made
her promise not to publish it, and she
kept this promise faithfully.
THAT is all, p" said Mr. Barnes.
mo cross-examination, !" said Mr.. Dick
inson.
1.-The State rests" said Mr.. Barnes.
I'VE have nothing further" said Mr..
Dickinson.
Proceed with the argument. gentle
men, said the court.
Then it was that the young man with
the broadcloth frock coat began his talk.
And when he had ended it, late in the
afternoon, Mr.. Dickinson presented an
affidavit from his colleague, Mr.. Deuprey.
The affidavit set forth that affiant had
reason to believe that he would be re-
covered sufficiently from his illness to be
in court Monday morning and make the
opening argument for the defense. This
was accompanied by a similar affidavit
from Mr.. Deuprey's physician.
Upon these documents Mr.. Dickinson
based a motion for adjournment till Mon
day, so that Mr.. Deuprey might be heard
before the former should make the closing
argument for the defense.
The court was uncertain whether to
grant this request or not, and the matter
was left for the jury to decide They de.
sired to proceed in the morning, and at the
same time asked for an adjournment over
Monday because that is collection day.
And this viii be the order of the proceed
ings.
When court opens this morning Mr..
Dickinson will address the court on behalf
of the defendant.
THE FIRST ARGUMENT.