The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-04-26
"rhe initial. N. P. , replied the wit.

sci for the prisoner, said to the witness,
Step down.
The next witness called was woman
who had formerly been employed by
old Peterkin as a housekeeper. She
was exceedingly nervous, and her voice
trembled when she swOre to tell the
truth There was a malignant express
sion on the face of the counsel for the
prisoner when he asked the witness:
''Do you know Mary Peterkin?''
II do" was the reply.
"She is the niece of the murdered
man?n
"She is" replied the woman in a
whisper.
"You once lived with the dead man
and his niece?"
al did,
"Did uncle and niece ever quarrel ?''
'Must / answer that?p asked the old
woman, turning to Judge Blank.
"You must" sternly replied the
judge.
ayes, they quarreled," faltered the
witness.
"what abouteo asked the counsel
for the prisoner.
She Mary wanted to marry a
man her uncle did not approve Off
All eyes were turned toward Mary
Peterkin, who, with an expression of
horror on her face, sat crouched up in
her chair. Every one in that court
room seemed to realize that the testi-
mony already adduced against the pris-
oner at the bar was as nothing COM
pared with that just brought out against
the girl. The prisoner at the bar was
pale and trembling, and, / thought,
an object of abject misery. Then
the thought flashed across my mind
that he might be innocent. II was ev.
ident that Lawyer Dash was struggling
with himself when he asked the next
question.
"Did you ever hear Miss Peterkin
threaten her uncle?D
81 heard her say once that she wish
ed he was dead" replied the witness.
with moan of anguish Mary Pet
erkin tainted. The prisoner started for
ward, and, despite the efforts of the
bailiffs to restrain him, exclaimed:
"This is a shame. / am guilty, and
that man"-pointing his finger at Law
yer Horace Dash-''knows that I am. >"
"What does this mean ?" asked Judge
Blank, addressing the prisoners coun-
sci, who was leaning on the table, and
seemed about to faint.
81 don't know, your honor" replied
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"
''Stopri exclaimed the prisoner. "I
withdraw my plea of not guilty. 1 am
guilty.
"FOr moment silence, oppressive
silence reigned supreme. Finally the
judge said; "Do you appreciate your
position? That l can pass sentence of
death on you?"
81 do" replied the prisoner, with a
defiant look at his counsel, "but would
like to say few words"
Proceed sir, said Judge Blank.
81 committed the crime, your honor,
bat not from desire for gain. 1t 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 / contracted
while in college, mortgaged her farm
the home where she was born, the
home that she went to as happy wife,
the home where / was born-to old
Peterkin, Each year since then she
paid him usurious interest. Finally
there came a day when he would not
renew the mortgage. That was the
day killed him. pleaded with him,
but in vain. He insisted he would
foreclose the mortgage. He called my
mother vile name. saw the revolv-
er on his desk, picked it up and aimed
at him. He wheeled around in his
chair toward his desk, and the bullet
entered his back"
"WhiIe he was telling this story the
prisoner several times pressed his hand
TO his left side and mOaned as If in pain
"Have you anything else TO say ?n
asked Judge Blank.
"Yes. want to say" explained the
prisoner in gasping tones, "that after
had retained that lawyer"-pointing to
Horace Dash-"I told him l was guilty;
that / wanted to plead guilty. He for
babe my doing so-said it was a splen-
did case. He would acquit me and
cover himself with glory. He said he
would ask no fee. l urged that 1 was
guilty, but he said he could clear me.
consented to the plea Of not guilty.
Again the prisoner placed bis hand
10 his heart and with an effort said: 81
could not save my life at the expense of
An innocent person, and that person a
am guilty.
s'He sank back into a chair, and
Judge Blank turned to Horace Dash.
the prisoners counsel and asked:
"What have you TO say for yourself?'
81 did my duty-my plain duty"
said the lawyer "As / understand it,
i is lawyers duty to defend his client
and to acquit him as best he can"
'sNot at the expense of an innocent
remarked Judge Blank.
''I maintain it is" replied the law
yer. although a prisoner may con-
less guilt he may be innocent He
might be insane when he confessed.
He might be actuated by desire to
ave, at the expense Of his life, guilty
person. He might"
81 am guiltyF' shouted the prisoner.
Il did it. / did It. ="
"He fell backward on the counseps
able. gasped, and, after few convuls-
We movements, attempted TO rise, fell
back, twisted half around, and his soul
passed to higher tribunal Judge