Part 25 (2/2)
There was an objection to the form of this question, but the court overruled it.
”I did not say it threw the axe. I did not see it thrown. I felt it.”
”Did you know the first mate, Singleton, before you met on the Ella?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Where?”
”We were on the same vessel two years ago, the American, for Bermuda.”
”Were you friends?”
”Yes”--very low.
”Were you engaged to marry him at one time?”
”Yes.”
”Why did you break it off?”
”We differed about a good many things.”
After a long battle, the prosecuting attorney was allowed to show that, following the breaking off of her relations with Singleton, she had been a witness against him in an a.s.sault-and-battery case, and had testified to his violence of temper. The dispute took so long that there was only time for her cross-examination. The effect of the evidence, so far, was distinctly bad for Singleton.
His attorney, a young and intelligent Jew, cross-examined Mrs. Sloane.
Attorney for the defense: ”Did you ever write a letter to the defendant, Mrs. Sloane, threatening him if he did not marry you?”
”I do not recall such a letter.”
”Is this letter in your writing?”
”I think so. Yes.”
”Mrs. Sloane, you testify that you opened your door and saw Mr. Vail and the captain taking Mr. Turner to his room. Is this correct?”
”Yes.”
”Why did they take him? I mean, was he not able, apparently, to walk alone?”
”He was able to walk. They walked beside him.”
”In your testimony, taken at the time and entered in the s.h.i.+p's log, you say you 'judged by the sounds.' Here you say you 'opened the door and saw them.' Which is correct?”
”I saw them.”
”You say that Mr. Singleton said he wished to 'get at' the captain. Are those his exact words?”
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