Mr. Sage. "Yes."
Mr. Choate. "When you read in that article: 'He looks as vigorous as at any time before the time of the assassination. His face bears almost no marks of the glass that had got into it after the explosion. It was clean shaven; in fact, Mr. Sage had arisen yesterday morning and shaved himself,' did that accord with your recollection at the time you read it?"
Mr. Sage. "No, sir; it did not. I have stated it was a gross exaggeration."
Mr. Choate. "When the article continued, 'The only thing that impressed one was that there was a face of an old man, hearty and robust, tenacious of life and good for many years.' Did that accord with your recollection at the time?"
Mr. Sage. "No, sir; it was an exaggeration. I was very badly scarred all over my face."
Mr. Choate. "When you read in that article: 'It was more surprising though, when Mr. Sage arose, and helping himself up at full length, exhibited all his accustomed power of personality. He was like a warrior after battle, a warrior who has come from the thick of the fight, covered with the dust of conflict, yet without a hurt to body or limb.' Did that accord when you read it with your then present recollection?"
Mr. Sage. "No, sir, it did not. This is the third time you have read those articles to the jury in this case; it is like the Fourth of July oration or the Declaration of Independence."
(Mr. Choate continued and was allowed to read from this newspaper article, although his questions were constantly and urgently objected to on the part of the defence, and although Mr. Sage said that he did not read half the article "because it was an exaggerated statement from beginning to end, as most paper interviews are." Mr. Choate here went into an exhaustive examination as to the details of the accident, comparing the witness's statements at previous trials with the statements at this trial, and then continued:—
Mr. Choate. "Everything you did after you once appreciated the danger you were in, having read the threat contained in the letter the stranger handed you, was to gain time, was it not?"
Mr. Sage. "Yes, sir."