The herald., 1895-04-06

PRETENDER AND HER
DUPEs
The writer of the article, whom no one
who hears it read will accuse of I'M
partialty or lack of prejudice, in the
course of his expose OF the doings at Bel
mont hall, has this to say OF the lady who
is alleged to have been libeled: Miss
Holmes followed with her devil l-haunted
iavorite in tow, coarse featured, heavy
eyed boy of 10 or 20. Miss Holmes. after
preliminary Encouragement of the class,
with view to harmonious blending OF
'auras and elements. seated herself be-
side Mrs. Russell, placing the youth, who
enjoyed the sweets OF angelic protection,
directly behind her. For an angel of
pure light, Miss Homles choice of a body
IN which to dwell for a time is an odd
one Measured by earthly standards, she
is a woman about five feet seven inches
in height, thin, supple, and restless in
her movements. Her head is long and
narrow, this effect being intensified by the
manner in which the lanky light hair is
brushed plainly back from the narrow
forehead; the cneek- bones are prominent.
accen1uating the thinness OF the sharp.
crafty face; the mouth, with pale lips
closing over slightly projecting teeth, both
sensual and cruel; and the skin is a dead
dull white. scanned with the lines and
wrinkles that tell tales OF dissi sipaton.
The ewes are remarkable, and tell ut once
the secret of her power. OF light green
ish gray, they are capable of more shades
OF evil expression than is often seen; and
to resist the uncanny fascination which
lies in their steady gaze takes II clear
head and a strong will.
"Altogether, the woman irresisIibly re-
minds one of a cross between a bleachcd-
ont tortoise-shell cat and faded rattle
snake. She was dressed in a loose red
wrapner, without any attempt at orna-
and q she crOnpbp1 in hpr
seat and surveyed her followers the sinu-
Gus motion of The head and body. as they
undulated slightly from side to side and
the restless glitter OF the evil eyes as they
darted to and fro, made the emblance
to a venomous serpent, colled for striking
SO strong that one involuntarily listened
for the warning rattle. She remained
thus while two or three gospel hymns
were sung, and then, crouching close TO
Mrs Russell and putting her arms around
her, she sat perfectly still, the only sign
of life about her being the wicked, rowing
eyes. In the deathly stiffness that ensucd
the eight or ten children in the company
dropped, one by one, into an hypnotic
slumber, while the grown people sat gaz-
ing at her. as if under the influence OF an
evil spell. When the strange fascination
had grown strong enough for her pur-
pose. she uncoiled and sprang suddenly
forward. The people sat as in a dream.
a coarse, strident voice. she poured forrh
Il torrent of disjointed billingsgatc. With
expressions that would have done credit
to an enraged tishwife, she RACED these
men and women, who covered like beaten
hounds under the flood of dehunciation. "
There is plenty more of this kind of
stuff, but enough of it has been given to
show that the picturing was of the burn
ng birthstone variety.
Dalton Wheeler in his accusation then
goes ON to state that on the 18th OF Feb
Tuary District Attorney John \. Donnell
was fully informed and well knew that
said publication was in violation of the
criminal law and statutes of the state of
California and well knew that it was cal
culated to provoke breach of the peace,
but said Donnell from fear of said cor
poration and desire to favor the said cor
poratlon and its editor and for the sake
OF advantage to himself and in disregard
of the interests of the citizens of the
county and the rights of said Josephine
Holmes, willfuly, maliciously and cor
ruptly failed, refused and neglected and
still tails, refuses and neglects to institute
prjceeings before Magistrate or other
legal authority for the arrest of the said
ii. 6. Otis who, as aforesaid, was rea-
sonably suspected of and charged with
such public offense and libel herein before
alleged.
Sixth-The plaintiff further AYERS that
she. the said Josephine Holmes and
others. on the 10Th OF February, and at
other times since requested the district
attorney to institute proceedings for the
arrest Of Colonel Otis, and that refusal
met them in every instance Further, he
lrays that the said John A. Donnell be
cited to answer to the charges and that
the court decree that he be deprived of
the Office of district attorney and enter a
Judgment for 500 against him and in
tAvOr OF the com mplainant and for costs.