The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-07
Question of Heredity.


.erbere is the question of heredity,"
she protested. when both Mr.. Delmas
and Mr.. Jerome told her she might step
down.
Il have asked you, madam all that
u considered necessary said InaW
attorney. with the utmost 'eference
Mrs. Thaw half rose, hestated, and
was about to sit down again when the
leading counsel for the defense offered
her his hand to assist her from the
stand.
Twice during her recital of the events
which had caused her to fear that all
was not right with her son. Mrs. Thaw
broke down and was unable to proceed,
her face flushed, and she made an effort
tn sneak. but the words would not come.
After a few moments, Justice Fitzgerald
asked solicitiously IL she felt able to pro-
ceed and Mrs. Thaw, evidently much
chagrined that her grief had overcome
her strong will of resistance, nodded in
IN, affirmative. She declined a glass OF
water and made effort once more to
proceed, but failed. Justice Fitzgerald
thenetanterposed relief for which the
elderly woman must have been deeply
grateful He said that as many OF the
very low voice, it would be necessary
to have the stenographer read all her
testimony up to that time to the jury.
When the reading was ended, Mrs. ThaW
had regained her composure, and was able
to proceed with her narrative.
Harry Depressed.
She said that when Harry came home
In 1903 he seemed depressed and had
apparently lost all interest in lie: lie
passed sleepess nights; would often leave
The table at meals, and go INTO the
parlor to play upon the piano. the mu-
sic growing softer and softer until 1t
sinalIy died away She told in motherly
wav of her solicitude for the boy.
"Hei told me a wicked man-probably
the wickedest man in all New York-had
ruined his life. :.
1t was< not until some time after lie
had offered this explanation or the chalige
an him that she learned the story OF the
Young woman who was to become hef
daushter-in-law Mrs. Thaw told OF her
SON breaking down at church in Pitts
burg. and afterward complaining thaC
II was all because of the sorrow Whlch
prevented the young woman he loved
being at his side. Mrs. Thaw told OF
coming to New York to meet Evelyn Nes-
bit and of giving her consent to her
son,s marriage-the one condition being
that the girls past life in New York
should be q closed book never to be
referred to in any way. Then came the
story of the marriage in Pittspurg IN
April, 1908, the honeymoon trip, and then
n happy summer spent at the mother
country home in the mountains.
Jerome Cross-Examines.
This vas ALL Mr.. Delmas ended her
testimony abruptly. The district attorney
was taken by surprise and began to cross
examine Mrs. Thaw in a very low voice.
Tie asked the conditions surrounding the
increase in her sons allowance, put Mr..
Delmas objected. He asked what the
sons income amounted to. Mrs. Thaw
said IL was moderate and nothing like the
sum the newspapers have so often re-
,6rted. Mr.. Jerome next trod upon what
he must have felt was the thinnest ice
lest he put himself in at attitude of at
tempting to harrass the pathetic figure
in black on the witness stand He asked
the mother what she knew of her son s
relations with Miss Nesbit before she be-
came his wife.
Nothing, she replied Wlthout hesl-
fancy.
The district attorney seemed completely
baffled and speedily brought his cross
examination to close.
Mrs Thaw's story was deeply impress
sive in its simplicity ana prevlty. Her
anxiety TO go on and tell. added immeas-
urably to the meaning VI her Piesehce as
witness
The half filed court room listened with
almost breathless interest TO each WORD
sha uttered. and there was general sigh
- relief when Mr. Jerome announced that
bis hrjef examination was ended.
II Harry Thaws fate Is thrown INTO
+he hands of the twelve men In the jury
HOY who today heard the mothers story,
there seems little doubt that what she
said will carry weight with 1t. But MT.
Iarome gave the impression that he might
,,se the mothers testimony as weapon
IN another direction-in his fight TO have
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