If the rival also
is pretty, hopeless confusion results; while if the
complainant be a homely girl the jury feels that he must have
intended to swindle her anyway, as he could never have
honestly intended to marry her. Thus in any case the Lothario
is apt to pay a severe penalty for his faithlessness.
The man prosecuted by a woman, provided she cannot be
persuaded to withdraw the charge against him, is likely to get
but cold consideration for his side of the story and short
shrift in the jury-room. Turn about, if he can get a young
and attractive woman to swear to his alibi or good reputation
the honest masculine citizen whom he has defrauded may very
likely have to whistle for his revenge. Many a scamp has gone
free by producing some sweetly demure maiden who faithfully
swears that she knows him to be an honest man. A blush at the
psychological moment and a wink from the lawyer is quite
enough to lead the jury to believe that, if they acquit the
defendant, they will "make the young lady happy," whereas if
he is convicted she will remain for aye a heart-broken
spinster.
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