Mister Dingledine by Robert F. Clifton (short novels in english .TXT) 📖

shoulders revealing her curls. She took the oath and was seated.

“Good morning Miss Collins. It is a bit late in the day, but still morning. Now, I have several questions to ask you pertaining to your knowledge of the defendant, Herbert Dingledine. “Do you know such a man?”

“Yes sir.”

“Do you see him here in court?”

“Yes sir.”

“Would you point to him please.”

“There, sitting at that table. That is Herbert Dingledine,” said Alberta pointing to Herbert.

“Let the record show that the witness has identified one, Herbert Dingledine, defendant. Now then, my next question Miss

Collins is, how do you know the defendant?”

“We are both teachers at the high school.”

“I see. Could you describe your relationship?”

“Yes, in a word, platonic.”

“I see, with platonic you mean without passion.”

“I do.”

“On your part or on the part of Herbert Dingledine?”

“My part.”

“I see. And Mister Dingledine?”

“I can only assume that he viewed our relationship differently.”

“How so?”

“He went out of his way to be near me. Many times he asked me to join him in such things as dinner dates, theater, concerts, art museums, things like that.”

“Did he ever mention his wife, Ethel to you?”

“Yes.”

“In what way?”

“As I recall there were times when his wife’s health was mentioned, but I can’t recall exactly when or what was said.”

“But, he did tell you that he was married?”

“Oh yes.”

“ Then, over time how was his demeanor towards you?”

“I would say that he became something of a stalker.’

“A stalker you say? How so?”

“I enjoy touring our local museums, art museums mostly. I began noticing that no matter where I went Herbert was always there bidding for my attention.”

“Allow me to move ahead a bit Miss Collins. After the death of his wife, what was mister Dingledine’s attitude towards you?”

“I believe that he changed from being a stalker to wanting to be suitor.”

“A suitor. Did he propose marriage?”

“Yes.”

“I take it then that you turned him down?”

“Yes.”

“No further questions,” said Sawyer.

“Mister Henderson?”, asked the judge.

“No questions at this time your honor, but I reserve the right to cross examine at another time.” said Henderson.

“So be it. All witnesses will return to this court tomorrow,” Flowers replied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eight

The Defense

 

The next morning, Tuesday, January 15, 1901 court convened. “Mister Henderson?”. Asked Judge Flowers.

“Thank you your honor. The defense calls Alberta Collins.”

Alberta entered the court room. This day she was attired in a dark, maroon colored suit, white blouse and on her head was a black straw hat with two red feathers. Judge Flowers looked at her and said, “Miss Collins the court considers you sworn. You may be seated. Counselor?”

Henderson walked from his assigned table and to where Alberta sat. “Good morning, Miss Collins,” he said.

“Good morning,” she replied.

“Now, forgive me, but as a bachelor, I’ve always had a curiosity of just how long it takes a lady to do her hair. For example, you and with your permission, you do have lovely, curls that seem to just flow down from your head and face to your shoulders. Could you tell me how much time you give to doing your hair?”

“Objection, immaterial,” said Sawyer.

“Your honor, if I may, I will introduce through cross examination the fact that the witness has been coached and told to dress and prepare to testify in a manner other then her normal self.”

“Overruled,”

“Thank you, your honor. Miss Collins, answer my question please, Henderson said.

“Actually I spend perhaps thirty minutes before going to bed brushing and combing my hair. In the morning, naturally I comb and brush again. I do nothing particularly special.”

“You are a teacher of English at the high school?”

“That’s correct.

“In the classroom do you wear your hair just as it is styled at the moment?”

“No, I wear it combed back and then in a bun.?”

“A bun. Interesting. The question I’m having is which is the real Alberta Collins? Are you the prim and proper teacher or the sweet little young woman who reminds the gentlemen on the jury of their daughters and granddaughters?”

“Objection,”said Sawyer.

“I withdraw my question your honor.”

“Very well. Be careful in the future Mr. Henderson. The jury will disregard counsel’s question and the witness answer,” said the judge.

“Do you like music?”, asked Henderson.

“Yes.”

“Did you or did you not attend the opening concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra on the evening of Friday, November 16, 1900?”

“I did.”

“With who?”

“Herbert Dingledine.”

“Now, how did that come to be? Surely you knew at the time that Mr. Dingledine was a married man.”

“I did. However, at the same time I invited him out of friendship and at the same time I was chaperoned.”

“Chaperoned, you say?”

“Yes”.

“By whom?”

“My cousin, Andrew Cummings.”

“How convenient. Was he also your chaperone on the days you met Herbert Dingedine at the City Library, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Art or the Philadelphia Museum of Art?”

“No. That was different.

“Different how?”

“At the time of the concert it was in the evening. At the library and museums it was broad daylight. I was out and about with people who could vouch for my reputation.”

“Still, you were with a married man.”

“Yes, but a fellow educator. One who was assisting me with a school project.”

“What sort of project?”

“I intended to teach a course on Shakespeare. Associating fine artwork with his plays.”

“I see. Do your students enjoy the course?”

“No. I haven’t done it yet.”

“You haven’t done it yet. Could you tell the court just how many times you met Mr. Dingledine at the City Library and then left the library to tour the mentioned museums?”

“I have no idea.”

“No idea you say? Who, may I ask, had the idea to meet on Saturdays and may I add the Saturdays that you picked and chose and start those Saturdays at the City Library?”

“I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember. Let me refresh your memory. It was you Miss Collins. You made the plans, all of the plans.` you planned the concert evening and all of those Saturdays, pulling Herbert Dingledine deeper and deeper in a situation that you not only created, but enjoyed. You liked to control him, have him do what you wanted him to do.”

“That’s not true.”

“ Isn’t it true that on each working school day you and Mr. Dingledine share the same table in the faculty lunch room?”

“Yes.”

“Did Herbert Dingledine propose or suggest that the two of you marry after the death of his wife?”

“Yes.”

“What was your answer?”

“Naturally I refused.”

“You refused. Did you not say that the two of you should wait until a year. That way it would appear that there had been nothing between the two of you prior to the death of Edith Dingledine?”

“No.”

“Miss Collins, allow me to remind you that you are under oath. Perjury is a severe crime. Your honor I have no further questions and may I add, no use for this witness.”

“You are excused Miss Collins. You may step down. Mr. Henderson you may call your next witness,” said Flowers.

“Thank you your honor. The defense calls, Doctor Philip Brentwood.”

Doctor Brentwood, a short, rotund man with a red face took the oath and was seated. Henderson went to him and said, “Doctor I’ll be brief. Did you as a physician treat the deceased, one Ethel Dingedine at any time during your practice?”

“Yes I did.”

“Now, at any time did you find any abnormalities regarding her medical condition?

“No, none whatsoever.”

“Would you say that she was a hypochondriac?”

“I would say that many of her ills were imaginary.”

“Thank you doctor. No further questions.”

“Mr. Sawyer?’, asked Judge Flowers.

“No questions your honor.”

“You may continue, Mr. Henderson.

“The defense calls Wilbur Shilling,” said Henderson.

Wilbur Shilling walked slowly to the witness stand. He appeared to be shy, intimidated by the fact that he was going to be under oath and afraid of making any mistakes in his testimony. He was sworn and took his seat.

“Good morning Mister Shilling. Please tell the court your place of employment and position sir,” said Henderson.

“I am employed as an analytical chemist at Axentic Laboratory here in Philadelphia,” said Shilling.

“By analytical, does that mean being about to determine the make up of things such as ingredients in animal or plant life as well as inorganic matter?”

“Generally speaking, yes.”

Henderson walked over to the evidence table and pointed to two bundles. One wrapped in a blanket the other in a white bed sheet. Pointing to them he said, “I now direct your attention to what the court refers to as exhibit A 1001 and B 1002 do you recognize these items sir?”

“Yes.”

“How so?”

“They were presented to our laboratory with a request to analyze any and all chemical ingredients that might be found in the items.”

“What were the items?”

“A, gray, throw rug and several women’s skirts and dresses.”

“And, what were your findings?”

“Both the rug and the skirts and dresses contained substantial amounts of arsenic.”

“Arsenic you say. Are you sure?”, asked Henderson.

“Sir, I’m positive.”

“What else did you examine?”

“A specimen of human hair belonging to reportedly one, Herbert Dingledine.”

“And what was your conclusion following that test?”

“That Mister Dingledine has been exposed to and has acquired arsenic which is now in his system.”

“Thank you Mr. Shilling. Your witness,” said Henderson

“Mr. Shilling, isn’t it rare that one might acquire arsenic, by inhaling dust containing the poison?”, asked Sawyer.

“Yes sir.”

“No further questions. questions.”

“Thank you Mr. Shilling, you are excused.’ said Flowers.

“The defense calls, Miss Diane Beck,” said Henderson.

All eyes in the court room followed Diane Beck as she walked slowly through the room to the witness stand. She was dressed in a pastel, afternoon dress, and a wide, hat to match. Since it was winter, she carried a fur coat on her arm. She took the oath and sat down. Henderson approached her.

“Good morning, Miss Beck,” he said.

“Mister Henderson,” she replied.

“Please tell the court, your present position.”

“I am a fashion designer of women’s wear.”

“Then I can assume that you are successful.”

“My designs are in the most fashionable boutiques in Boston, New York and here in Philadelphia.”

“Pardon me if I appear ignorant, but I have no concept of women’s fashion. What dictates it?”

“Two things. The morals of society and Paris, France.”

“Really? Could you explain what morals have to do with fashion?”

“Certainly. Currently, the morals of our society require that the length of a woman’s skirt must cover her foot. If not her foot at most, her ankle.”

“I see. Is there a problem with that?”

“Yes, what society fails to realize is that women with the required hem length then are susceptible to collecting dust, dirt and germs as they walk the sidewalks of cities. For instance, tobacco sputum on sidewalks an in the street could possible be carrying the causes for tuberculosis or other diseases. The woman collects these germs and transports them to her home where upon it is possible that sickness occurs as a result.”

“Objection. The witness has no background or experience as a health worker. Her testimony is conjecture,” said Sawyer.

“Sustained. The statements made by the witness will be stricken,” said Flowers.

“Allow me to rephrase my question Miss Beck. Does the hem length of a woman’s dress or skirt present a hazard of any kind in your opinion?”

“The greatest hazard is tripping, stepping on or catching the hem on a foreign object.”

“I see. Now you mention Paris. What does Paris France have to do with hem length, diseases, Paris shortening the hem length etc.?”

“The fashion designers of Paris see the need to raise the hemline in women’s fashions for the reasons I have previously attested to. It is rumored that the new, future Paris creations will raise the hemline by two inches.”

“So, in your opinion, as a professional designer of women’s fashion would the raising of the hemline by two inches allow the skirt or dress of a woman to pass over sidewalks, lawns and in particular rugs without touching them?”

“In my opinion, yes.”

“Thank you Miss Beck. No further questions,” said Henderson.

“Mr. Sawyer, cross?”

“No questions your honor.”

“Mr. Henderson.”

“Call Doctor Frederick Lentel,” said Henderson.

“The people in the courtroom, including the members of the jury watched as a man of medium height and weight walked towards the witness stand. The man was immaculately dressed wearing a black suit, white shirt, collar, tie and gray colored spats covered his shoes. Henderson waited until