Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-08-01
NEW SERIES, VOL. 1xXIv, NO. 81.

counsel FOR the prisoner said to the wit
ness, Step down.
The next witness called was wom-
an who had formerly been employed by
old Peterkin as housekeeper. She was
exceedingly nervous, and her voice
trembled when she swore to tell the
truth. There was a malignant expires
sion on the face cf the counsel for the
prisoner when he asked the witness:
% DO you know Mary PeterkinY
'' 4 do, was the reply.
" She is the niece of the murdered
man?'
g She is, replied the woman in
whisper.
4" You once lived with the dead man
and his Nicer
'' 4 did.
'' Did uncle and niece ever quarrelT
:" Must l answer that . asked the
old woman. turning toward Judge
Blank.
:. You must. stern1y replied the
judge.
Yes. They quarreled, faltered
the witness.
"'what aboutg' asked the counsel
for the prisoner.
She-Mary-wanted to marry a
man her uncle did not approve of
''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 courtroom
seemed to realize that the testimony al
ready adduced against the prisoner at
the bar -was as nothing compared with
that just brought out against the girl.
Tho prisoner at the bar was pale and
trembling and, l Thought, an object of
abject misery Then the thought fash
ed across my mind that he might be in
nocent. 1t was evident that Lawyer
Dash was struggling with himself when
he asked the next question.
'' Did you ever hear Miss Peterkin
threaten her uncle2'
g 4 heard her say once that she
wished he was dead, replied the wit
ness.
'With moan of anguish Mary Pc
terkin fainted. The prisoner started
forward and, despite the efforts of the
bailiffs to restrain him, exclaimed:
IS This is shame. 1 am guilty, and
that man'-pointing his finger at Law
yer Horace Dash knows that am.
W 4tiG OOGS GilS IlAGtin dSNGNl
Judge Blank, addressing the prisoner s
counsel, who was leaning ON the table
and seemed about to faint.
II don't know, your honor, replied
the lawyer, who was seen to press his
hand to his heart.
SO Let the trial proceed. said Judge
Blank, and don't let that woman, in
dicating Mary Peterkin, leave this
ROOM.
+" 'Stopl' exclaimed the prisoner L
withdraw my plea of not guilty. am
guiltyP
''For moment silence, oppressive
silence, reigned supreme. Finally the
judge said DO you appreciate your
position-that 1 can pass sentence of
death ON your
g Il do, replied the prisoner. with a
| defiant look at his counsel. but would
like to say few words.
| proceed, sir, said Judge Blank.
4 committed the crime, your hon
or. but 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 mothar. so that she might
pay some debts l contracted 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 l was born-to old Peterllin.
Each year since then she paid to him
usurious interest. Finally there came a
day when he would not renew the mort
gage. That was the day 1 killed him. /
pleaded with him, but in vain. He in
sisted he would foreclose the mortgage
He called my mother vile name. I
sew the revolver 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.
"While 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 2
asked Judge Blank.
Yes; want to say, explained the
prisoner in gasping tones, that after l
had retained that lawyer pointing to
Horace Dash--'I told him was guilty ;
that wanted to plead guilty. He for
bade my doing so. Said it was splen-
did case He would acquit me and cover
himself with glory He said he would
ask no fee. urged that was guilty.
but he said he could clear me. 1 con-
sented to the plea of not guilty.
FAgain the Drisoner Ilaced his hand