The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-14

throughout the trial, and pierced him to
the heart. He bowed his head upon his
hand, and the arm that supported 1t Wis
IDLY trembled. An agony Of temptation
swept through him like the breath Of the
sIrocco, fierce and binding; for a moment
he was deaf to the voices. blind to the
faces before him. In the light of that
look he had caught across the crowded
court room. the vision Of felon's death
passed before him with CHASTITY reality;
the loss of all mems respect. OF life. OF
Clara, appalled, him with q sudden new
power.
A voice from some unknown depth In his
nature cried out to him: Speak! speak!
before It is too late, and your foolish scru-
pie has killed yourself and her." He
knew that soon another chance would be
given him, and the eternal question put to
him for the last time, Guilty or not
guilty?"
1t seemed such a little thing to do; only
to speak and turn tho accusation against
some other member of the party. and he
might be acquitted. All the other men
were out of harms way, and would prob
ably never be affected one iota. 30 far as
their liberty was concerned, by his act.
He had never been so near yielding.
Then came the other voicA with its UNI
varying reply: Yes. speak. and you will
save all-but honor!'' 1t was the still
voice, but for the thousandth time 1t con-
ouered.
The venerable Judge listened attentvely
as the case proceeded. ruling with the ut
most impartiality until all the circumstan-
tial evidence had been well discussed by
both sides. A shrewd query put by the
district attorney had ELECTED a piece of
testimonysvery damaging to the prisoner.
Ike DOWN.. who had been called TO the
stand. after stating what he had seen on
that fatal night, was asked II there had
ever been. to his knowledge, any III feeling
between the accused and Osgood. He was
obliged to testify that there had been some
trouble between them for quite while.
The point was telling one and the ex-
aiming lawyer made the most OF 1t.
''Here at last" he said. turning triumph
antly to the jury. I'VE have the motive;
surely this Is conclusive"
The testimony created a sensation, ana
after that things began to look more and
more dark for the defendant. notwithstand-
ing the fact that several witnesses for the
defense had testified to the prisoners good
standing, to his integrity and truthfulness
in the past.
Turning to the jury the prosecuting at
torney said: Gentlemen of the jury, for
tunately you will not be under the un-
pleasant necessity Of convicting the pris-
oner on purely circumstantial evidence,
strong as 1t is in this case This witness.
Mr.. Downs, an officer of the customs, who
was aboard the launch Taurus on that
fatal night. has given you detailed ac-
count of this most atrocious assassination"
The prisoner was asked again II he wish
ed to say anything in his own defense.
II have nothing to say" he answered.
us the court to understand that you
plead guilty?" inquired the judge.
II cannot say what the court UNDER
stands"
..r. rot tbot a x,tv,tuoI copfaoeior <hot ,,o,,
were either the murderer or accessory
therefor"
II confess nothing"
do you deny it?"
II deny nothing
The Judge knitted his brows, and was
had sincerely hoped that the young fellow
would be tempted to speak out, and say
something in his own behalf. He had
known Blaine's father well, and 1t cut
him deeply to see matters going against
the son of his old friend. though none
would have guessed his feelings from his
face.
Thus the three days were occupied by
the lawyers for and against the accused.
Many chapters of ford rhetoric were fur
nished to the towns newspaper and the
eager listeners in the court room before
the jury retired
The solemn, thrilling words Of the Judge,
brought home to them the awful nature
Of their responsibility, not one of those
twelve men ever forgot. The tension Of
feeling in the court room during that
speech was painful.
Three more days were consumed in de-
alterations by the jury, and after long
battle with themselves. they finally brought
in their verdict.
1t was: Guilty of murder"
The prisoner was then asked in the
usual formula:
Have you anything to say why SEN
tence should not be pronounced upon you
according to law"
Again he answered: Nothing"
Blaine had risen to receive his sentence
The whole body of listeners held its breath
in one emotion of intense anxiety.
Judge Calhoun looked at the young fell
low standing there in jeopardy of his life
yet refusing to criminate his companions.
Blaine returned his look unfiinchingly,
though n bright flush rose to his face and
faded again, leaving 1t, If possible, shade
paler than before. He felt all eyes upon
him.
The Judge addressed the prisoner by
name, and in the dead silence that pre-
coded the words the sound of a rider ap-
preaching the court house and abruptly
hating was distinctly heard. The next
minute a confusion of voices at the door,
then, parting the dense throng. the tall
form of George Lansing, one Of Blaine's
former associates, who was with him on
that fatal September night. appeared in
the house. He was travel-stained and his
spurred heel on the hard floor made a
strange sound in the hush that pervaded
the great crowd as he walked up the
aisle. The judge was speechless, staring
at the intruder. The young man an
preached the judges bench and took off
his hat; he turned first toward the Jury
box. then to the house. and In a ringing
voice said: Gentlemen of the court, and
you who are interested in the trial Of my
friend, Silas Blaine. for the killing of
Lloyd Osgood, the revenue officer, / am
here, an unannounced witness. with i'm
portant evidence to present before judg-
ment is pronounced upon the accused. Can
be heard?"
The thing was irregular, and the prose-
cution demurred, but the abruptness of his
entrance had paralyzed all movements for
the moment, and overruled authority