Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-07-26

evidence was followed with Intense
interest by the crowded court. He
was asked by the counsel for the
prosecution whether he had caught
any of the words of the man aud
woman who passed along the foot
path In the Grove close to where
he lay Just before the shots we're
fred, and when he said yes
every ear in court was strained to
itch his evidence OF the cOnver-
sation.
WWhat was said between the
partiesp asked my learned friend.
"As they passed :me,' replied
the blind witness. Il heard the
an say: "But your father objects
to the marriage" and the lady
said: eyes, and do not mean to
marry without his consent"
"'Thcy continued to walk on,
and few moments after l heard
the man, in a loud angry voice,
say: "NO one else will have yOu.'
Then there was a shot, and the
lady screamed; then another shot.
My dog began to bark, and 1 cried
out In terror: "What is that" The
man then rushed away; l could
hear the crunching of the Drambles
and underground as he fed
81 rose to cross examine the old
man with some trepidatiOn," con.
tiuued Mr.. Grlmshaw. "Before
doing so | asked my solicitor, IN a
whisper, what was the quality or
timber of the prisoners voice; and
he replied that 1t was rather sharp
or acute in tone. l had but one
question of Importance TO put to
the witness. ] trembled to pnt 1t
for the answer might not, on the
one hand, do the prisoner any
service, while, on the other hand,
it might seal his fate.
Having asked few questions
on rather unimpOrtant points, l
put to him the fatetul question Of
which l spoke, determined, OF
course, should the answer prove
unsatisfactory, TO drop that line oil
cross examination at once.
"'What sort of voice was the
voice of the man in the grove that
evening" asked with all the un
concern 4ich could assume.
"Blt the Judge and my learDed
brother on the other side, aud the
iury--and more especially the fore
man of the jury-grasped at once
the Importance of the question. /
saw that fact visible; the strained
look of attention on all their faces
as they breathlessly awaited the
answer. The die was cast. How
ever the answer might be favorable
or uniaYorable TO the prisoner at
the bari saw l was bound, and
would be obliged to pursue the
matter to the end. | had the oc-
cUpants of the jury box particular
ly uuder my gaze. watched, as
every counsel does, the effect oil
each statement on the jury, so far
AS that effect manifests itself on
their faces. | noticed that the
foreman of the jury-a rather
young man, with seltabsorbed
manner-listened for the answer OF
the blind witness to my question
with the most intense and painful
anxiety. The reply of the witness
followed quickly on my question
.'It was a deep voice. said the
blind witness.
"How my heart jumped at the
answerl Here was the first i'm
portant point tor the defense!
"'Would you recognize that voice
againp asked. The witness said
'Yes,' and every one believed him,
for the extraordinary keenness OF
hearing IN the blind is a well
known tact. began 10 entertain
soue hope tor the prisoner.
"'My lord,' l said, turning to the
Judge, Il should like the prisoner
to speak few words. l am sure
you recognize how essential it ID
for the purpose of my cross-exsml'
nation
"'Certainly, certainly said the
Judge. Prisoner at the bar, be
pleased to address u few words to
me-
'My Iord,' exclaimed the prI
oner, in tones of the deepest feeling
before God l protest that l am in
nOcens of this crime.'
"The voice OF the prisoner was
in it's intense earnestness, shrll
aud piercing. 1t certainly was mol
a deep voice.
WELL said 1, resuming my
cross examination OF the blind
witness, lis that like the man.
voice you heard in the grove befor'
the shots were firedP