Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeLeslie, Madeline
General
Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
Leslie, Madeline
Physicians -- Fiction
I have copied from the daily papers a full account of the trial, merely
adding to it from my own memory. But now I shall endeavor to explain
some circumstances connected with it which have not yet been made
public. You will remember that in the report of Wednesday morning, Mr.
Willard abruptly left the court-room, after requesting Mr. Marshall to
cross-examine the witnesses. The following statement he made to Allen
Mansfield, the Doctor, myself and some others after the trial. I will
relate it nearly in his own words.
"It would hardly be supposed," he said, "that I could sleep much at that
stage of this exciting trial. I tossed from side to side during the
night, and as I reviewed the testimony, came almost to the conclusion
that the counsel for the defence would destroy the affidavit in the
minds of the Jury and get the case. I thought, if I could only find the
second will or some clue to it, this would relieve my embarrassment. I
became so much excited by the new train of thought, that I arose from my
bed, dressed, and commenced a vigorous walk across my room.
"Plan after plan for obtaining it or some trace of it was thought of and
rejected. Morning dawned; and the duties of the day left me no time for
farther speculation. But my midnight thoughts prepared me for what
followed, and when I went into Court, a light dawned upon me. It was
connected with a circumstance with which you are already acquainted;
namely, with the anxiety which Colby had manifested to have his clothes
brought to him in the jail.
"During the examination of one of the first witnesses, it suddenly
occurred to me to inquire of the jailer whether he had ever mentioned
any garment in particular. I left the court-room for that purpose, and
was soon at the jail. I began cautiously by asking whether the prisoners
had been rendered comfortable during their confinement. To this, the
jailer replied, 'far more comfortable than they deserved. They are
ungrateful rascals. Notwithstanding the pains I have taken with Joseph's
meals, in consequence of the wishes of his brother Mansfield, yet he was
always cursing and swearing in the most shocking manner.'"
"And how was it with Colby? I asked.
"I can't say that he did precisely the same. I've nothing to say against
him except that he was always complaining of cold and sending for more
clothes. I have sent twice, and I told him that I wouldn't be bothered
with sending again; so I gave him a shawl to put over him.'
"Did he ever mention any particular garment which he wished?"
"'Yes indeed. It's vests he asks for. The first time, the man forgot
about the vest, and brought an overcoat or something of that sort; but
the next time he got one.'
"Well," said I, trembling with a mere suspicion that I had got a clue
that might lead to the discovery. The jailer seeing me much interested,
went on.
"'The very next day, he wanted another vest; and I refused downright to
send again.'
"Did he specify any one in particular?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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