“‘Stop,’ said Quillet, ‘don’t tell anything about what your husband said.’
“‘Then I have nothing more to tell, if you refuse to hear what my husband said, though I know he did not steal the bacon.’
“‘How do you know he did not steal it?
“‘Because he told me so.’
“‘We ask your Honor to exclude what defendant said,’ exclaimed Quillet.
“‘Certainly,’ replied the judge, ‘the statements of defendant will not go to the jury.’
“‘Any more witnesses, Colonel Buff?’ inquired the court.
“After a hurried consultation with his client, the colonel rose and addressed the court:
“‘If your Honor please, I have advised the defendant to withdraw his plea of not guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the court, which he has consented to do. I have been induced to take this course because the jury could not, consistently with their oaths, acquit the prisoner in the face of the evidence. This is a case which appeals in the strongest terms to the mercy of the court, and I am sorry that your Honor does not possess the power to discharge the prisoner, because I do conscientiously believe the circumstances would justify your Honor in a course of that kind, and that you would not hesitate to do it if you had the legal authority.’
“‘Mr. McCay,’ said the judge, ‘have you any reason to urge against the sentence of the court?’