The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-12
CHAPTER XIX.
(COntInued.D

The Negro, now feeling treasured,
leveled his black finger at Tom Strick-
land dramatically. The eyes OF the
two. the white man and the black.
met, each holding the others as II
fascinated. In those OF the witness
there was a sort of histrionic relish
OF the value OF the situation, tenn
pered by a latent apprehension. In
those OF the accused there was a
strange and pitiful perplexity.
fDass him, sub" spoke the witness.
"Hit was Mistah Tom Strickland what
seen passin' ME on dat-ar road, sub.
lawdy massy | done know him
since he want mon knee-high to a
duck, subj"
There was a sudden stir throughout
the courtroom, "A movement OF tense
excitement, followed by a sinister
hush.
=, After you saw and recognized this
man." said the prosecuting attorney,
what happened them
Il laid right dar twell he done gone
out o. sight, sub. He was a-goin in
to'ards town, and done keep my eyes
on -him2tWell- he turn a ben, in de
road and CANT see him no mo. Den
wait 'twell | sho he amt a-comin'
> back. After dat. got up and started
on my way, keepin' in de shadow side
o. de road"
Again the witness paused.
Well?" asked the prosecuting at
torney Tell the jury what hap
pened then, Abe"
The witness shuffed uneasily in
his chair something of awe in his
black face
; IL had come purity night TO de
hog-path whar | was TO strike of inter
de bottom lands" he resumed, when
| stumbled ovah sump'in a.layin' on
de groun'. part in de road and part
in de grass side o. de road"
He wiped his face with his open
palm. Hit was man." he said
and then, his voice solemn-"and de
man was dead He been shot"
The Negro shuddered.
Did you see the face OF this man."
asked the prosecuting attorney.
"Yass. sub.
Did you recognize it,"
"Yass, sub
Abram," said the prosecuting at
torney. tell the jury who the dead
man was whose body you thus found
and whose face you saw and recog-
nized"
"Hit was young Mistah Stamford
Tucker" the witness made answer.
Il knowed him, sub, dess as well as
know Mistah Tom Strickland settin'
right hyar TO my eyes, sub"
The prosecuting attorney waited
moment, his shrewd eyes studying
the faces of the jurors.
Abe" he asked, why didn't you
at once report the finding OF STAN
ford fuckers dead body and the see
ing OF Thomas w. Strickland. pistol
in hand, as he came away from the
spot where that body layr.
The. witness shook his head stub
bornly "'Twan't none o my bust
ness, sub he replied. Hits mighty
fool Niger what goes mixin' hiss-et
mp In shootin' scrape twix two
white centrum. sub was skeered
ter do It. sub, dass why-and | dess
pick up my feet and make tracks fas'
as | could 10 whar my camp in de
bottom lands was sub. And you
amt heern no wu'd bout'n what
seen. and you amt had me fetched TO
vo' Office. 'cept'n was fool ernur
ter tell dat-ar ole Isr'el FAINT. what
run er.cross down in de bottom lands,
sub"
The states attorney turned TO the
counsel for the defense. You may
take the witness" he said.
A searching cross-eXamination rail-
cd TO weaken in any respect the tesu-
mony just given. AZ its conclusion
Major Gentry Dryden whispered earn
'estiy with Colonel Bill Strickland.
II was plainly dispirited and hope.
less conference Colonel strickland
leaned back YEARLY at the end.
1T can't make any difference he
muttered sadly They've got the
rope around Toms neck. now.
And. although the words were not
audible to others, this certainty OF
conviction seemed 70 be in the
thought of all Into the jurors faces
here came look OF pity az their
eyes met those Of the accused man.
the latter perplexed, bewildered, help
less
The state rests its case, an
uounced the prosecuting attorney. A
profound and ominous silence FOL
lowed
II was broken by the entrance OF
Colonel Todhunter into the court
room. He came through door open
ing from the sheriffs Office IN the
rear His clothing was covered with
dust, as OF hurried lTdNel dlOuB sun
scorched roads He made his way dl'
rect 10 where Colonel Bill Strickland
and Major Gentry Dryden were SIT
ting. The latter rose moment later.
II beg the courts indulgence Tor
little time" he said hurriedly. An
adjournment is not asked---merely op-
portunity for brief conference"
The request was granted.
Taking hasty notes meanwhile,
Major Dryden was deep in consulta-
ton with Colonel Todhunter. Sud
denly he stood erect and faced the
trial Judge, his eyes ablaze with ex.
element
May It please the court he said.
New evidence of a most important
character has Just come into the pos
session of counsel for the defense. IL
compels a change in the line of that
defense and ! beg the courts indul-
gence TO that end.
Then he turned 10 the Nineveh
sheriff. Call Eottie.M May Doggett,
he said
THE witness IL not present" re-
piled the sheriff "She was summoned
by the state. and deputy sent 10
find her reports now that she has dis.
appeared from her home
"She has Just come back was the
reniv "Gba ie here now"