The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-04-20
4 STORY By The JUDGE,

of the courtroom and was al exceed
ingly pretty young woman, the pallor
of her refined face illuminated by large
blue eyes. She was IN deep mourn
ing, which but enhanced her beauty.
Proceed, exclaimed Judge Blank.
The witness oa.the staad-a police
ofcer-then testified that he had
found small revolver with al ivory
handle IN some bushes just outside CT
the window OF the room where the
crime had been committed.
" We're there any marks on that re-
vol7er:' asked Horace Dash, counsel
for the prisoner-the man I just
pointed ont 20 yon.
=" Yes, replied the witness.
= :" What were the marks
{" The initials N. P. replied the
witaess.
Did you ascertain who owned
that pistol?' asked Lawyer Dash.
'Yes-Ma:y Peterkin.'
"An exclamation Of surprise went
around that little courtroom Mary
Petsfkin started apin bewilderment
and then fell back into her chair.
Silence in the courtroom!' ex-
claimed judge Blink.
"With a face paier than that Of
either the prisoner Or the niece of the
murdered man, Lawyer Horace Dash,
counsel for the prisoner, said to the
witness, Sep down
'Ths nezt witness called was
woman who had formerly been en-
p'oyed by old Pete-kin as a house
keeper. She was exceedingly nervous.
and her voice trenblel whsn she
swo-e to tell the truth. There was
malignant expression on the face Of
the counsel for the prisoner when he
asked the witness:
DO you know Mary Petsrkin:'
7 do, was the reply.
She is the niece Of the murdered
mau?'
She is replied the woman in a
whisper.
You once lived with the dead
man and mis- niece:'
'' I did
"*Did uncle aad niece ever quar-
rel?'
Nus: answer that?' asked the
old woman, turning to Judge Blank.
"<You must, stsrnly replied the
Judge.
"tYes. They quagrelled, faitered
the witness.
&" What about asked the counse:
for the prisoner.
" *She-Mary--wanted to MARI
man her uncle did not approve of.
"All eyes we:e turned toward Ma:7
Peterkin, who, with an expression OF
horror on her face. sat crouched up in
her chair. Everyone in that courtroom
seemed to realize that the testimony
already adduced against the prisoner
at the. bar was as nothing compared
with that just brought out against the
girl The prisoner at tie bar was pale
and trembling and, I thought. an OBJ
iect Of abject Misery. Then the thought
flashed across.my mind that he might
he innocept. It.. was evident that
Lawyer Dash was struggling with him
self when he asked the next question.
"Did you ever hear Miss Peterkin
threaten her uncle?'
Il heard her say once that she
wished he was dead replied the wit
ness.
"Witb a moan OF anguish Nary
Peterkin tainted. The prisoner started
forward and, despite the efforts OF the
bailiffs to restrain MIN, exclaimed:
& This is shame. I am guilty,
and that man'-pointing his finger at
Lawyer Horace Dash-fknows that I
am
What does this mean asked
Judge Blank. addressing the prisoners
counsel, who was leaning on the table
and seemed about to faint.
r don't know, your honor, re-
piled the lawyer, who was seen to
press his hand to his heart.
Let the trial proceed said Judge
Blank, and don't let that woman,
indicating Mary Peterkin, leave this
room.
Stop e-Sued the prisoner. 7
withdraw my ple.af not guilty. I am
guilty
"::;tFor moment silence, oppressive
silence, reigned supreme. Finally the
lndge said: DO you appreciate your
position? That can pass sentence
Of death on you?'
7 do, replied the prisoner, with
8 defiant look at his counsel, but ]
would like to say a few words
:" Proceed. sir, said Judge Blank.
: :" i committed the crime, your
honor, but not from desire for gain.
It was done in moment Of anger, just
anger. and for the sake of my dear old
mother. Years ago my mother, so
that she might pay some debts l con-
tracted while in college, mortgaged
her farm-the home where she was
born, the home that she went to as a
happy wife, the home where I was
born aid Peterkin, Each year