The Yale expositor., 1901-12-20
Nj AIRY The MID fas.... OF
A Story of English
Life.
By JOSEPH HATToN.

events OF the March Assizes for the
East Riding OF Yorkshire. Richard
Parker was known by several aliases:
his training and education. his courtly
manners, his handsome face and figure
had all been themes OF admiration even
occasionally with the ladies whose
coaches he had stopped. IL was also
known that II was his boast that he
had not only never shed blood. but had
vowed he never would except In the
last extremity OF self-defense. At the
same time he was known TO be mixed
up with a gang OF plunderers who were
less scrupulous than he; and many
deeds OF desperation were laid 10 their
charge. and more particularly 10 the
charge of the confederate Foster. whose
completely with the abbey murder was
now a matter OF public notoriety.
Locally the affair had many points
OF absorbing interest. Mary. the Maid
ofthe Inn. was pathetic figure in the
story. and the name OF Jack Meadows
was on every lip. II had been rumored
that his conduct In the awful business
The fact that the principal witness
against Parker was his sweetheart
Mary (who would have gladly laid her
life down for him rather than COM
promised his safety. gave TO the trial
its most dramatic interest
Mary her uncle. Morley. Jack Mead
ows, Jacks mother, and brother,
equity old fellow OF GO, were party by
themselves in charge OF the clerk TO
the solicitor who had got up the de-
Tense. and they were accommodated at
little inn near the river whence they
had a picturesque. but. TO them, very
gloomy view OF the castle where Rich
ard Parker was imprisoned. where he
would also be tried. and where in all
probability he would be hanged; for
apart from the murder OF Bellingham
there were other charges. which only
awaited the result OF the verdict in this
case 10 be formulated against him as
the authorities might think necessary
/ or desirable.
II was not likely that the prisoner
who had captured poor Mary's heart
would leave the Castle OF York alive.
Meanwhile Richard Parker had been
| placed at the bar. Counsel had told
the tragic story OF Bellinghams death
and indicated the nature OF the evil
dence that would be sworn against the
prisoner. and had further called upon
the jury To dismiss from their minds
| any romantic or prejudiced influence
which might have taken possession OF
had been circulated in connection with
/ this case. and the attachment that had
sprung up between the prisoner and
| the young woman, who. as II by the
| interposition OF Divine providence. had
been made the chief witness against
him.
Then witnesses had been called
touching the murder. the discovery OF
the body. the appearance OF Parker and
Foster In the neighhorhood: the con-
duet OF Mary Lockwood on the night OF
the murder; her interview with Mead
ows: his presence az the Heather-bell
Inn. in company with Foster and Par
u.
the strange. obstinate refusal OF the
prisoner TO seek safety IN flight unit
he had seen and said good-ly 20 Mary
Lockwood: together with his arrest nj
the very door OF the Star and Garter
and his saying good-by 10 her not as
he had hoped a free man. but n pris-
oner in the hands OF the constable o.
Kirkstall and his assistants.
At this point OF the case. John
Meadows was called. He was consld.
erably harassed by the learned counsel
for the prosecution, who was more than
once reminded even by the court that
he had no right TO treat his own wit.
ness as hostile: but the learned coun.
sells ire had been raised somehow by
the witnesses fearless obstinacy. and
his examination in chief gradually as.
sumed the offensive character OF the
severe cross-examination OF not only
an unwilling. but an untruthful wit.
ness.
Having taken the witness through q
brief narrative OF HIS first seeing IN,
prisoner NJ the Star and Garter. and
getting from him an account OF his
having seen stephen Bollinghain. tho
murdered man. there. the examination
proceeded as follows:
You knew the victim OF this cruo
MURDER"
Squire Belllngham." said the wit.
ness.
Yes" said the learned counsel: he
was well known In the district"
Yes.
known TO be rich?"
Yea"
Rich and eccentrlc?"
II don't know "a TO that"
HE carried large sums OF money
about him7"
I've heard so"
Was not afraid OF highwaymcn?'
'He was brave man." said Jack.
Yes. he was a brave man and rich
That was his reputation"
Yes"
And you saw him az the Star and
| Harfor tho nighf xvhon tho man E-oafor