The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-06-17


length the case closed, and the Pres
1 dent was gong to sum up; but as tn
i heat in rthe court was excessive, ann
every one stood in need of refresh
! ments,- leave was given for the jury q
retire for half an hour, and the hal
was cleared for the same space of time
in order that itfmight undergo a thor
ough ventilation :, During, this inter
val, while twelve, of the jurors were
cooling themselves with ices and sherl
bet, the thirteentn lighted a cigar, and
reclining in an arm, chair, smoked
away with the gravity of a Turk. "A 4
sWhat capital cigar !" sighed ono
OF the jurors, as lie watched with an
envious eye the odious- little clouds
which escaped from the smokers iifs,
aWouId you like to try one?" asked
the Major, politely offering his cigar
case:
"Ifit would not trespass to much on
your kirdness.'"' -.,--.s-,.
"By no means, you are heartily wei
! Gomez" The juror took cigar and
lighted it at that of his obliging neigh
| Dor
"Well, how do you like it p asked
the Major.
delicious It has an uncommo only,
pleasant aroma. From whence are
you supplied ?''
"From Havana"
Several jurors now appI cached, cast
ing longing glances at Major Verner's
cigar case.
HGentlemen," said he, "l am really
grieved that have not single cigar
left to offer you, having just given the
last to eur worthy friend. To-morfow,
however, tope to have fresh supply
and shall then ask to do me toe honor
of accepting some"
At that moment an official came to
announce that the court had resumed
its sitting; the jury fastened to their
box, and the President began his
charge Scarcely had be commenced,
howeve, when the Juror who had smok
ed the cigar rose, and in n trembling
voice begged permission to retire, as
he felt very i'll. Indeed, while in the
act of speaking, he fell backward, and
lay senseless on the floor. The Pres;-
dent, of course directed that he should
be carefully carried to his home, and
desired Major Werner to take his place.
Six strokes sounded from the old clock
Of the town ball as the jury retired to
deliberate on II cir verdict in the case
of Pierre Granger. Eleven gentle
men exclaimed with one voice that the
wretched assassin s guilt was perfectly
clear, and that they could not hesitate
a moment as to their decision. Major
Werner, however, stood up, placed his
back against the door, and regarding
his colleagues with a peculiar sinister
expression, said, slowly:
II shall acquit Pierre Granger, and
you shall all do the same
"Sir," replied the foreman in Sc
we're tole, "you are answerable to your
conscience for actions, but do not see
what right you lave to offer US graf
uitous insult
Gam I then so unfortunate as to Of
fend you," asktd d the Major, meekly.
"Certainly, IN supposiug us capable
of breaking the solemn oath which We
have take', to do impartial justice.
I am man of honor"
bah p Interrupted the major, "you
are sure of that ?''l
A general murmur of Indignation
arose. -
''Do you know, sir, that such ques
ton is a fresh insult ?'' E2
"You are quite mistaken" said Ma
jor Werner. "What 1 ii was drawn
forth by feeling of solemn RESPONSE
bility which rests with US. Before l |
San resolve to make dead body of
living moving being, 1 must feel salts
fed that both you and [ are less 6 lilty |
than Pierre Granger, which, after all.
is not so certain.'
An ominous silence ensued the
Majors words seemed to strike home |
to every breast, and at length one of
the jurors said: -
"You seem to regard the question
from philosophical point of view"
"Just SO, Monsieur Corneau."
"You know me then y said the ju-
ror in t. enlbling voice. I+n-
"Not very intimately, my dear sir,
but sufficiently to appreciate your
fondness for discounting bills at what !
your enemies might call usurious in
terest 1 think it was about four
years ago that an honest, poor man, the
fathes of a large family, blow out his
brains, in despair, at being refused by |
you short renewal, which he had i'm
plored on his knees" 'la
Without reply lying, NJ. Corueau rel
tired to the. farthest corner of the room
and wiped of large drops of sweat,
which started from his b-ow. .iiol7
What does this mean ?". inquired
another juror, impatiently. ''Have
we come here to act scene from the
Memoirs of the Devilj
S Il dent know that work." replied I
the Major; but may advise you. Mon
sieur Bardine, to calm your nerves?"
"Sire, you are impertinent, and 1
shall certainly do myself the pleasure
to chastise you " -'i'7-
Gas howl"
"With my sword. l shall do you
the honor TO meet you Tomorrow"
can honor which, being man of
sense, [ must beg to decline. You
don't kill you advcrsarics, you murder
them. Have you forgotten your duel
with Monsieur de, Lillar which took
place, l an told, without witnesses =
While he was off his guard, you
Lreacherously struck him through tie
heart. The prospect of similar ca
is by no means cnticing"
With an instructive movement, NJ.
de Bardine's friends drew off. -