This was a somewhat liberal decision as to the right of cross-examining; and the accused put on it a construction almost as broad as the privilege. As for the witness, it was very apparent she had little taste for the scrutiny that she probably foresaw she was about to undergo; and her countenance, attitude, and answers, each and all betrayed how much distaste she had for the whole procedure. As permission was obtained, however, the prisoner did not hesitate to proceed.
“Mrs. Burton,” said Mary Monson, adopting, as well as she knew how, the manner of the gentlemen of the bar, “I wish you to tell the court and jury when you first saw the notched piece of money?”
“When I first saw it? I saw it first, when aunt Dolly first showed it to me,” answered the witness.
Most persons would have been dissatisfied with this answer, and would probably have caused the question to be repeated in some other form; but Mary Monson seemed content, and went on putting her questions, just as if she had obtained answers to meet her views.
“Did you examine it well?”
“As well as I desired to. There was nothing to prevent it.”
“Did you know it immediately, on seeing it in my purse?”
“Certainly—as soon as I saw the notch.”
“Did Mrs. Goodwin point out the notch to you, or did you point out the notch to her?”
“She pointed it out to me; she feared that the notch might lessen the value of the coin.”