The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-05-07

- mIgger 'spress.hlssell about a gal
he neber saw aiOres"
"The juror is competent, il your
honor please"
take your seat in the jary box,
Mr.. solomon" said the Judge as he
saw Mr.. RnckIand again wave his
hand in that direction.
The TACT is, Mr.. kockland had no
hopes Of acquitting Miss Branlett,
and was therefore merely going
through the business to please Lot
tie, without feeling the. slightest
interest IN the details. He knew
that with his influence on the gov
ernor, he could secure Il pardon,
hence he did not care anything
about the trial. Out Of a venire
of three hundred men, they sue
ceeded IN selecting a dozen first
class idiots, who had not formed
or expressed any opinion as to
the guilt or innocence of the ac-
cused. How could they express
an opinion about the case, when
they did not have sense enough to
form an idea on any subjects i
could have gone to a first class lu-
nalic asylum and selected a better
jury, and if had been bound by a
contract to furnish a dozen fit sub
,jects for an institution Of that sort,
| should have considered that jury
illegal tender for the debt. While
Mr.. Outlet was reading the bill of
Indictment, watched Miss Bran
let's features closely in order to
see if could detect any signs Of
guilt or fear. Not a muscle of her
calm pale face moved. Not a
Sign OF unc&sincss or excitement
was perceptible. Her beautiful
eyes we're fixed on Mr.. Outlet,
while the long laShes rose and fell
as regular as the pulsation Of her
heart. | could see the regular
rise and fall of her bosom as she
breathed as calmly as a sleeping
babe. The eyes of two hundred
spectators were intently gazing al
her charming face, waiting In
breathless silence to hear the de-.
PENDANTS plea, The vast crowd
stood immovable; not a sound Of
any sort disturbed the reading Of
the bill. Judge Flipont sat with
the fore finger Of his left hand
resting against the left side Of his
nose, whilst his keen expressive
eyes were riveteG on the prisoner.
ithad been rumored ard generally
believed, that the attorney for the
defense would admit the killing,
and plead insanity for The prisoner.
MI. Rockland still kept his head
leaning on the edge Of the table,
apparently Indifferent to what was
going on around him. l noticed
that Lottie's hands were trembling
slightly as she picked the leaves
from a rose and let them fall on
The floor at her feet. The corners
of her pretty mouth were drawn
down, and | knew very well that
something important was on her
mind. That was one of the signs
with which was quite familiar,
and | was convinced that she was
planning mischief that was to star.
tie somebody soon. When Mr.
Outlet finished reading the bill o.
Indictment, he turned from the ju.
ny and fixedhis eyes on Miss Bran.
lett and paused for a moment. vi
ola raised her eyes and fixed then
on the Encouragement. 1t wai
not a brazen-faced, bold, defiant
stare, by any means, but it was
modest, calm look.
"Are you guilty or not guilty?
demanded Mr.. Outlet in a modes
but solemn tone.
"Not guilty." was the firm buI
gentle reply.
Quite a cOmmotion now ensuel
as the crowd Of spectators began t.
jostle and shove each other.
MIR. Sheriff" said the Judge
"you must keep silence in court
Make those people take seats, an,
keep the aisle clear. Station a der
uly at each end of the aisle, and ia
sIruct them TO report any one VIII.
diSturbs the proceedings of tn
court. Have your witnesses Gale,
in and sworn, Mr.. Outlet, and pro
eeed with the case.p
When the call Of the witnesse
commenced, ! was reminded Of By
ron 5 vision Of Judgment, wherei
the tiial OF George Ills described
When his Satanic Majesty waves
his hand for his witness to com
M from hell. a cloud OF lost soul