Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-02
SIMPLE TALE OF LOVE
HOW ROLAND MoLIsEUx SAW An
OPPORTUNITY AND sEIz-
ED 1T.
THE ACCUSED ON THE STAND
Thrilling Duel Of Words Between
Prisoner and Pro.ecusor.
AND THE FORMER WAS WINNER.
Told OF His Courtshfp and of hts E.n-
EaEement to Miss Chcescborousn-
The Romance OF Two Rings and
How the Man ON Trial for His Life
Recalled zt-An intensely Drn-
matte Incident.
THE ACCUSED ON THE STAND
Thrilling Duel OF Word. Between
Prisoner and Prosecusor.
AND THE FORMER WAS A WINNER.
Told OF HI. courtship and of III. En-

Recalled IT. An intensely Drr-
matte Incident.
Written for the Dispatch by vancs
tThompson.p
NEW YORK. November For ft4ea
fateful minutes MolinsuS was on tb.
stand this morning. Assistant District
Attorney Osborne had spent the greater
part Of the night preparing for his PROM
ised attack. He had assured the court
that he would occupy two hours In prob
ing the pallid little man. who stands
charged with murder. He promised SEN
sation.
osborne has something up his sleeve"
said the lawyers. The spectators b;Izzed
1t among themselves, Osborne has somes-
thing up his Sleeve" and so he had. but
it was only his arm. The expected did
not happen. The sensation did not mate
rialize, and yet Moineux could not fore
tell this when he took his seat in the
witness chair and clasped his nervous
hands upon his knee. He was cold and
white and hrm-watchful. too, for os-
borne faced him with an air OF savags
concentrate ton.
The Crucial Moment.
1t was the crisis OF the trial. 1t was tina
crucial moment II WIS the crossroads,
whence one path led 70 freedom, and tho
other ran darkly away TO shame and
death. Mof.neux knew it. Osborne knew
1t. They eyed each other like men who
are to meet in the death struggle. The
Assistant eyfI
y nervous. He moistaned his lips with
Ice water. and wiped his forehead with
handkerchief. TAen he threw one leg
over the table in his free and easy way
and leaned forward. In a low voice ne
began questioning the prisoner.
Did Barnet pay any attention to your
wife?.' he asked
Molineux's face hardened: he brought
his Jaws together; a glimme- Ike that OF
s.sel le<.pesi iate hts raisty eyes. but that
was ALL He answered the question quiet
ly enough. but 1t was evident that the
introduction of his wife.s name touched
him on the raw. All tina. was chivai-
-ous in him came to the surface-and in
spite of the fact that he has rusted in
prison for four years. thsre is still a
deal of chivalry in him
FTe admitted that Barnet had paid many
attentions to Miss Cheeseborough in the
days before he and she had become be-
trothed. II was another Indirect way OF
getting Barnet into the case and of In
sinuatng a motive for the murder.
Lived Again ti,c Day of Love.
Did you give your wife an engage
nent rins?" the Assistant District aetor-
ney asked.
Yes
''When?"
Il should like to explain that, Mr.. os-
borne
II am no. trying to entrap you. Mr.
Molineux." said the prosecutor sweetiy,
but suppose you answer Ely question.
Wasn't that ring bought November Is,
lSos-one week after Barnet died?'
There were two rings" said Mollneux
Then he told the story of the ring. It
was a strange romance to listen TO- in the
sitting home OF crime. II was like lily
blooming In a pesthouse. AS Molipaux
told it, his voice softened into wonderful
tenderness. He did not look at Osborne.
He did not seem to see the jury or the
crowded courtroom He was living again
the days of love.
There were two rings" he repeated.
"One was a Mizpah ring-ltke this onc,"
ard he drew the ring from his finger. My
mother gave this ring to me long ago.
nave always worn IL. Miss Cheesebor-
ough admired 1t and | gave her one Ike
1t for a Christmas present. Then, when
We became engaged. she said that should
be her engagement ring-she would have
no other. But when we came 10 arrange
for our wedding. she decided that the aiiz-
pah ring should be our wedding ring II
was sentiment he added: "it was her
wish And SO bought the second ring
OF Mizpah.
Simple and Pathetic.
All this was said very simply There
was however. such pathos in the voice,
so fine sincerity in the face. thar tho
effect upon the jury and upon the au-
d.ence was extraordinary. This was she
first time that Molireux had shown his
heart-he held II out for the Assistant Dis.
trict Attorney to prick at And there wa&
n pause.
Mr.. Osborne furnbled his pa pers acd
hesitated. Then he asked a few un,rcpor
tant questions. which did not mask his
defeat. Abruptly he sat down. The fa-
nous duel had been fought and lost
Was Molfneux,s Opportunity.
It lasted fifteen minutes In that time
the case was virtually tried. Oshorne's
la st attack was not his best. The Apachs
who goes out for scalp should not loiter
by the way 10 throw stones at woman.
So far from helping his case by bringing
In Mrs. Moi!nieux, he hurt 1t. He gave
Moliaeux his opportunities. for the man
who defends woman is always in the
right And Molineax used II superbly.
There were no neroics There was only
the story of the ring. There was only the
romance. There was only hint of true
love and an old 'ove-etory. That was all.
but it turned the trucuient prosecutors
attack into utter defeat.
Osborne knew it and Molinsux knew 1t.
The great cross-sxara.nation. the promised
aaying Of Molineux. had uiiscarrled- Had
Osborne been retained for the defence. he
could have done no more FOR the pailia
little prisoner. He flung himself into his
chair and sat there, sulplus ice water.
moppins his reG face The prisoner kept
| his seat in the witness chair. Governor
| Black arose. his hands In his pockets, .
smile on his face: he looked al his client.
II have no questions TO ask" ne said.
cheerfully. THAT is all. Mol.net:x.'
Old Father Got His Hand.
| The prisoner went back to his accus-
| TONED place The old father got him by