Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-17
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Bv CLARENCE BoUTELLE.
Bv CLARENCE BoUTELLE.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
himself, in this document, not to deny
the fact of the rings having been in his
possession. Now we shall introduce
this document in evidence; we shall
find little or no difficulty in proving
that the admissions made by Mr.. Sem
are true: we shall prove them, II we
are compelled to do So There exists
so Mr.. Prier tells me, tacit COM
pact between Mr.. Sem and himself
however, that the circumstances under
which they were found shall not be in
vestigated. Of course Mr.. Prier is only
witness for the State in this case
and equally, of course, the State is not
bound in any way by this implied per-
sonal contract between him and the
prisoner. wish. however, to regard
this agreement. if 1t is possible. l ask
then. whether the defense will admit
the genuineness of the signature and
the truth of the admissions made? or
whether they prefer that we should
proceed to prove the facts therein
stated?"
Walter Aldrich turned to his client.
Deny the signature; refuse to make
the admissions; claim that you signed
under the influence of fear; let us make
bold, hard fight, here and now" he
whispered.
Sem shook his head
It's your best chance" pleaded Aid
rich. in an undertone, and it may be
your only one"
Sem looked him squarely in the face
-squarely and little Indignantly.
You know better than that" he said
firmly; Il shall not deny my signature;
I shall not deny the truth Of my admis-
sions there made; if l cannot tell the
truth and live, can, at least, tell it
and die"
Aldrich turned from his client and
toward the judge, the jury, and the
prosecuting attorney.
1--WE admit all that is asked" he said
sullenly.
That is not enough" said the prose-
cutting attorney, blandlN rising to his
feet; that is not by any means enough
in so important a case as this. l ask
to have the prisoner sworn"
You wish to question him." asked
Aldrich.
"I do"
"On this natter"
Certainly"
And on nothing else?"
Nothing"
It's terribly irregular, isn't it?"
I'VE will not press the matter We
will prove"
But Sem was already upon his feet.
DO as you like" said Aldrich, saw
agely.
So Sem was sworn.
The prosecuting attorney questioned
him.
You have seen and read this docu-
mNnt?"
Il have"
rs this your signature?"
1T is"
do you admit the accuracy of the
statements contained in it, and will you
abide by the pledge given?"
Il will abide by the pledge given. l
admit the substantial accuracy of the
statements made"
You speak of the substantial accur-
acy' Of the statements. Please explain
Yourself? State briefly what you ad-
mit?"
Sem raised his head little higher;
his form was more erect than it had
been; there was no longer any need for
those sitting in the far-away corners
of the room to give breathless attention
in order to hear. The prisoners voice
was low. but firm and strong, and 1t
filled the room with its power
Il have seen the rings which are de-
scribed in the document. They were
found under circumstances which JUS
tify the conclusion reached by Mr..
Prier. 1t would be useless for me to
deny that they have been in my pos
session, and" His voice broke
He fell into his seat as though he had
been shot. He covered his face with
his trembling hands.
The audience drew long sigh of re-
lief.
The jurymen looked at each other
in interested amazement.
Mrs Sem, without raising her veil
bowed her thanks to some one who
handed her something she had let fall.
Prier smiled. grimly.
Aldrich did not move or look up.
A gray-headed lawyer nudged the
young law-student who sat next him
and whispered:
He's signed his own death-war-
rant"
| The prosecuting attorney smiled, and
rubbed his hands softly over one an
other.
That is ALL" he said, pleasantly;
that will do. We are ready to exam
inc the witnesses now. Will Matilda
Webb be sworn"
Matilda Webb came forward and was
duly sworn. Her testimony, condensed
from the form of questions and an
swerS. was. in substance. this: Her age
was thirty years: business. that of q
house servant; she was in the employ
Of Constance Craig at the time of thai
ladyS death; was twenty years Of age
at that time; it was her duty to assist
the housekeeper in such ways as tha
person might require. The indictmen
charged that the murder had taker
place during certain night. She re-
membered that night well. 1t was {
Monday night. She spent the nigh
with friends. three miles away. She
returned home quite early on Tuesday
morning. 1t was certainly not late
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