The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-16

,5.s:sns aroma. From vhsnoS aTo I "a
nFrom tho Havana Several jurors
now approached, casting longing eyes at
Major Vernor's cigar-case.
"Gentlemen," said he, 81 am really
grieved that have not single cigar Left
to offer you, having just given the last to
our worthy friend. Tomorrow, however,
hope to have afresh supply, and shall
then ask you to do me the honor Of &C
cepting some." .T
AT this moment an official came in to
announce that the court had resumed its
sitting; the jury hastcned to their box'
and the president began his charge
Scarcely had be. commenced, however,
when the Juror who had smoked the cigar
rose, and In o trembling voice begged per-
mission to retire, as he felt very Ill. In.
deed, while in the act Of speaking he fell
backwards, and lay senselcss on the floor
The president, of course, directed that he
should be carefully conveyed to his home.
and desired Major Vernon to take his place
Six strokes sounded from the old clock Of
the Town Hall as the jury retired TO de.
liberate on. their ,yerdictaipr the case Of
Pierre Granger. Eleven gentlemen ex:
claimed with one voice that the wrctchcd
a.sassin's guilt was perfectly clear, and thai
they could not hesitate for moment as te
their decision. Major Vernon, however
stood up, placed his back against the door
and regarding his colleagues with pecu'
liarly sinister expression, said slowly
az shall acquit Pierre Granger, and
you shall all do the same!" 81 Cattaa
"Sir," replied the foreman in a severe
tone, "you are auswerable to your con.
science for your own actions, but ! do no,
see what right you have to offer us gra
buttons insult" fiJ~
=" Am then so unfortunate as to offend
you ?" asked the Major, meekly. .aa,-r
Certainly, in supposing US capable o.
breaking the solemn oath which We have
taken, to do impartial justice. l am mar
of honor" ~"
"Bah!" interrupted the Major, "are
you quite sure of that3" All .m
A general murmur of Indignation arose
"Do your know, sir, that such question
is direct insult 2" ~ l
You are quite mistaken" said Major
Vernon. What said was drawn forth
by feeling of the solemn responsibility
which rests with us. Before / can resolve
to make dead body of living moving
being, must feel satisfied that both you
and Iare less guilty than Pierre Granger,
which, after all, Is not so certain"
An omnibus silence ensued; the Majors
words seem to strike home to every breast,
and at length one of the Jurors SAID
You seem, sir, to regard the question
from philosophical point Of view."
"Just so, Monsieur Cerncau."
"You know me, then ?" said the juror,
in trembling voice. ....s
"Not very intimately, my dear sir, but
Just sufficiently to appreciate your fondness
for discounting bills at what your enemies
might call usurious interest. think it was
about four years ago that an honest poor
man, the father of a large family, blew out
his brains in despair, at being refused by
YOU short renewal, which he had implored
on his knees"
without replying, NJ. Cerneau retired to
the farthest corner of the room, and wiped
off the large drops of sweat which started
from his brow"
"What does this meant" inquired
another Juror, impatiently. slave we
come hither to act scene from the Me-
moirs of the Deva?"
81 don't know that work." replied the
Major; "but may advise you, Monsieur
De Bardine, to calm your nerves 7"
"Sir, you are impertinent, and l shall
certainly do myself the pleasure to chas-
tiSe you."
GAS how?" ..... ..-.,
"With my sword. I shall do you the
horor to meet you tomorrow"
can honor which, being man Of sense,
1 must beg to decline. You don't kill your
Anniversaries, Monsieur De Bardine; you muir
der them. Have you forgotten your duel
with Monsieur De Lillar, which took place,
| am told, without witnesses While he
was Of his guard you treacherously struck
him through the heart. The prospect OF
similar catastrophe is certainly by no means
enticing."
With an instructive movement, M. De
Bardinc's neighbors drew off.
81 admire such virtuous indignation"
snecred the Major. cit especially be-
comes you, Monsieur Darien-."
"What infamy arc you going to cast in
my teeth ?" exclaimed the gentleman ad-
dressed.
ooh, very little-a mere trihe-simply,
that while Monsieur de Bardine kills his
friends, you only dishonor yours. Monsieur
Simon, whose house, table, and purse are
yours, has a pretty wife,"
"Maior," cried another juror, "you're a
villainm
"Pardon ME, my dear Monsieur Calfat,
let us call things by their proper names.
The only villain amongst us, l believe, Is
the man who himself set fire to his house,
six months after having insured it at treble
its value in four offices, whose directors
were foolish enough to pay the money
without making sufficient inquiry"
A stitied groan escaped from NJ. Calfat's
lips as he covered his face with his hands.
"'Who are you that you thus dare to con-
stitute our Judge ?" asked another, looking
fercely at Vernon. rag
"Who am l, Monsieur Peron simply
one who can appreciate your very rare
dexterity in holding court-cards in your
hand, and making the dice turn up as you
please"
M. Peron gave an involuntary start, and
thenceforward held his peace. The scene,
aided by the darkness of approaching
night, had now assumed terrific aspect.
The voice of the Major rang in the cars of
eleven pale, trembling men, with cold
metallic distinctness, as if each word in
llicted blow. -.
At length Vernon burst into strange
sharp, kissing laugh. "Well, my honor