The Princeton union., 1900-04-19
attitude Of the witness on

Hart's death?" questioned Redding.
He's already sworn that,'' put in the
squire, sharply; I'VE must not go over
all day to get through"
IT'S important enough for i'm to
swear it twice, your honor" said Red
ding, calmly, and then, as he contin-
|ued, his eyes began to flash and his
voice rang out so clear and loud that
the solicitor looked up in astonishment.
''Dr. Sloan, is it not your opinion that
the ball in your hand could not possibly
have come from the revolver belonging
Ito my client?"
| There was profound stiffness in the
big room. 1t was broken by an impul-
Sive guffaw from the solicitor, who
shot an amused glance at Redding, as
if he thought that lawyer had taken
leave of his senses. And then the So
licitor noted the white, rigid express
sion on the face of the witness and his
smile died away.
| 1--WE are waiting on you, DR.. Sloan,"
said Redding, calmly.
1T is my OPINION answered the
physician, that this ball could not
have been fired from Mr.. Fanshaw's
revolver. It is clear to me now that
|Sydney Hart accidentally shot himself
with his own pistol. It carries 3s~cali-
Der ball; the other only 32.''
| Not sound broke the silence of the
room for a brief space of time and
then the people began to applaud.
! "Order in court! will have order!"
thundered Squire Richardson, and the
room became still again.
With a sheepish look the solicitor
went to the table and picked up the two
revolvers, and then sickly smile of ac-
knowledged defeat passed over his face
as he threaded his way back to his seat.
"Now, your honor" said Redding, II
want to have the states witness, Mr..
Thad Williams, called to the stand. I
understand he is prepared to swear that
sgd Hart told i'm jest before he ex-
pired that my client not only shot i'm,
but that he attacked i'm first. Iwant
to help i'm consign himself to the peni-
tentiary for perjury
| The solicitor, after all, took defeat
gracefully. He shrugged his broad
shoulders at this and broke into a laugh.
"You are welcome to Thad as wit
ness, Brother Redding," he said. 1--WE
don't want to hear from him any MORE"
Thad Williams looked like moving
corpse as he stood up.
II hain't swore thing yet, as know
Of, he faltered, amid laughter all over
the room. II reckon can talk is much
as I want to when I hain't kissed the
Book"
What 1 want you to do,' said Red
ding, his sharp eyes bent on the gaunt,
coatless witness, ''is to clear my clients
reputation of all the lies you have told
to-day"
YOU'D better tell a. straight story,
Thad," smiled the solicitor. IF you
will, I'll forgive you for the way you
took me in
I'm willin' to tell all know" con-
sented Williams. Il don't want, no
trouble. I've got wife and six children
to support
Williams was then put under OATH
and confessed that sgd had said that he
had shot himself while trying to hold
his horse in check, the animal being
thoroughly frightened by the firing
Thad showed the court how his friend
had evidently tried to hold the reins and
revolver in the same hand, and how it
had been discharged by striking its
hammer against the pummel of the
saddle.
'I wouldn't a-tried to testify ag'in
Fanshaw," he added, IF sgd hadn't
axed me to revenge his death.''
When the witness had sat down annie
a storm of Kisses from the rear of the
room and in the crowded hallway ad
joining, the solicitor rose.
"Your honor" he began, "the state
has not shadow of case, and want
to ask you to dismiss it. When think
how near I came to using my effort.
towards the conviction of one of the
most prominent young men in thi:
state-when think how near I came tc
being the tool of the unprincipleG
scamp on my right, I feel, say like
thanking God for my escape. Iwant tc
be the first to congratulate Mr.. Fan
, shaw, to beg his pardon with all my
heart and to wish him all success in
the legal profession, to which, I under
stand, he is a brilliant candidate"
The house beloved with applause as
the solicitor crossed over and grasped
: Ronald's hand. A look of dissatisfac'
ton clouded Capt. Wrinkles face, anc
Col. Hasbrooke, with an inexplicable
expression, was seen worming his way
: towards the door through the now
standing crowd.
The sheriff, when the case had beer
formally thrown out of court. spranQ
upon bench and pounded another with
his walking stick.
Boys" he beloved, Il driv' Mr.. Fan
} shaw into town in my turnout, an
! want the honor O. takin' i'm back the
2 same, way"
, Ronald, in the midst of surginl
throng eager to grasp his hand, looked
\ over their heads and nodded to Ratcliff
=. When the crowd was thinning some
2 what he found Dave at his elbow. Dus