AS LEAST EXPECTED.
Long before the hour set for the opening of the court, a great crowd of
Richmond's most distinguished people, men and women, had gathered at the
door of the court room. They were discussing from one to the other the
alleged forgery, seeking to fathom the motive thereof, and speculating
as to the effect it would have on the family name.
The attorneys for the defense had given no intimation as to their
proposed course, and speculation was rife as to what the character of
the defense would be; what, if any, would be the pleadings in mitigation
of the offense. The Commonwealth's attorney was well known to be the
bitter political enemy of the Ex-Governor, and it was thought that he
might be relied on to do all in his power to see the son suffer
according to the requirements of the law.
The door of the court room was opened and every seat quickly seized upon
by the eager throng, those not getting seats content to find standing
room. Court was duly opened and the case of the State _vs._ James Benson
Lawson, charged with the forgery of the signature of the firm, Linton &
Stern, was called.
Young Lawson was stationed between his mother and father, on the one
side, and his lawyers on the other. In response to a summons from the
Judge, he arose and entered the plea of "Not guilty," for the purpose,
as was afterwards explained, of having the opportunity to introduce
testimony that would provoke sympathy, though not disproving guilt.
The State proceeded to make out its case, submitting the note in
question, the real signature of the firm, the testimony of experts, and
such other evidence as clearly established the fact of the forgery and
the guilt of the defendant. Thereupon the State rested its case.
The defense began its presentation by introducing witnesses to testify
to the previous good standing of the defendant. Nothing more in the way
of testimonials could be desired, than the tributes paid young Lawson's
virtues by these witnesses. The impression created was that some
powerful impulsion was necessary to deflect such a worthy young man from
the path of virtue. "The motive, the motive, what was the motive?" was
the query that was engaging the thoughts of all.
The name of Erma Wysong was called as a witness. A murmur of
astonishment ran around the court room, "A woman in the case! A woman in
the case!" The door of the witness room opened and Erma Wysong stepped
out of it into the court room, the cynosure of all eyes. Her surpassing
beauty at once stilled the buzzing in the room. Her hair was combed back
from her brow as if to demonstrate that that face needed no sort of
background to enhance its beauty. A plain but well-fitting dress allowed
her form to appear in its native beauty and symmetry. Erma's eyes were
opened slightly wider than usual, as if in innocent fright. If she had
suddenly developed wings and flown, the transition would have been in
keeping with the tenor of the emotions of all, prevailing for the
moment, for she possessed the charm of person which is ever associated
with the angelic. Erma had not been apprised as to the nature of the
case before the court nor as to the part she was expected to play.
Unaccustomed to court duties of any character, she was ill at ease on
this occasion, but her apparent bewilderment lent interest to her
charms.
The attorneys for the defense were highly gratified at the profound
impression that Erma's beauty had made. She was escorted to the witness
chair. The tenor of the questions asked gave the public the first clue
to the probable course of the defense. Young Lawson was to be a Mark
Antony in the meshes of a Cleopatra.
Erma was asked to give specimens of her penmanship, which she did
readily. She was also asked as to who wrote certain detached words and
sentences that were placed before her. She stated that they had every
appearance of being her handwriting. With the way thus paved, the
letters which Dolly Smith had written to young Lawson in Erma's name,
were produced. They were masterpieces of ingenuity and were evidently
written by a woman who knew all of the inner workings of the heart of
man. Erma sat listening in amazement at the revelation of the adroit
effort to capture young Lawson's heart, she being designated as the
culpable party.
When Erma's beauty was taken into account, together with the brilliancy
and power of insinuation found in the correspondence, the auditors were
prepared to account for the downfall of young Lawson. The defense here
rested its case. To the surprise of all, the Commonwealth's attorney
signified his purpose to offer testimony in rebuttal. He also suggested
to the attorneys for the defense, in a whispered conference, that Mrs.
Lawson, the wife of the Ex-Governor, be requested to retire in view of
disclosures to be made. The retirement of Mrs. Lawson brought excitement
to the highest pitch, and sensational developments were momentarily
expected.
Dolly Smith is called as a witness and takes her seat. She casts a look
of malicious triumph in the direction of the Ex-Governor. The
Commonwealth's attorney questions her as follows:
"Are you acquainted with one Erma Wysong?"
"No, sir," was Dolly's reply.
"Are you acquainted with the young woman who has just left the witness
chair?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, is not that Erma Wysong?"
"No, sir. That is Erma Lawson, daughter of the Hon. Mr. Lawson,
Ex-Governor of Virginia, and Ex-Minister to Germany."
The blood forsook the face of the Ex-Governor, and he looked first to
Dolly and then to Erma in a dazed sort of way. The eyes of the auditors
flashed from Erma to the Ex-Governor and back again, evidently making
comparisons. The audience was of one mind in believing that Dolly had
spoken the truth, only a cursory glance being needed to see, after the
suggestion had been once made, that Ex-Governor Lawson and Erma were
father and child. They were astonished that they had not made the
comparison on their own initiative.
"Are you acquainted with the prisoner at the bar?" resumed the lawyer.
"I am."
"State the circumstances under which you formed his acquaintance."
Dolly now entered into a detailed statement of all her dealings with
Lawson, setting forth his purposes with regard to Erma.
"Who wrote those letters read here to-day?"
"I wrote them. Erma knew nothing of them until she heard them in this
trial."
"Erma, then, has not been a party to the inveiglement of this young
man?"
"No, sir. On the contrary, he endeavored to make a victim out of her,
and he has been victimized."
"How did young Lawson happen to approach you?"
"Many years ago I first acted as procuress for his father, my own sister
being the victim. Perhaps information as to what I could do came to him
from his exemplary father."
The Commonwealth here stated that the evidence was all in, and if
agreeable to the defense, the case would be submitted to the jury
without argument. The defense, however, desired to make one speech, the
prosecution waiving its right to make reply. The speech as prepared by
the leading counsel for the defense was not delivered. The case of his
client was ignored altogether, and a stirring invective was delivered
against Dolly Smith.
As torrent after torrent of scathing rebuke rolled forth from the lips
of the speaker, Dolly Smith writhed as one under the severest physical
torture. Feeling unable to longer endure the ordeal, she arose and fled
toward the door. As if by a common impulse, the throng of spectators
surged about her.
"Tar and feathers!" some one suggested.
The cry was taken up, and soon all were loudly clamoring for "tar and
feathers!" Tar and feathers were procured and applied to Dolly, who was
now screaming at the top of her voice and striking wildly in the air.
She was soon overpowered and, followed by a hooting mob of men and boys,
was led to the railway station, where she was placed upon the first
outgoing train, with emphatic instructions to never again show her face
in Richmond.
The train went rumbling out, bearing its unpopular burden. While the
train was crossing a high bridge a few miles from Richmond, Dolly rushed
upon the platform of the car in which she had been riding, huddled into
one corner, and, leaping into the air, descended upon the unyielding
rocks at the bottom of a deep gorge, whereupon her soul bade her body an
eternal farewell, leaving it as food for such fowls of the air as should
see fit to feed thereon.
To return to the trial, young Lawson, after conviction, was solemnly
sentenced by the Judge to a term in the State prison. The Ex-Governor
experienced such a shock from the occurrences that his mind became
unbalanced. He went forth from the court room a complete mental wreck,
and wandered aimlessly about the streets of Richmond, piteously
repeating to any one who would take time to listen: "The fathers have
eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge."
It developed that Dolly Smith was the purchaser of the home of Erma and
John, and, through a provision in her will, it was now restored unto
them. The storm of life bursting over their heads experiences a lull.
But be not deceived thereby. The Storm King is crafty.