The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-04-28

The counsel "summed up;" the opposing
counsel assuming and urging to the jury that
Jacob was the profoundest rascal and hypo-
critic in the county, and Jacobs lawyer assert
ing that GOtlieb was perjurer. In few
words the court charged the jury, and they
were sent out, in the keeping of three officers,
to committeeman, to deliberate and find .
verdict.
TWAS nearly six oclock; the court adjourned
for the day. 1t had been q dreadful day to
Jacob. He had not ina gined that his old aud
dear neighbors could look upon him as ras-
cal, and he had not supposed any man living
would have dared to assail his good name as
the opposing LAWYER had assai!ed it. The reve-
lation of these facts, the strange story told by
GOtlieb, d the gloom OF the strange dav
seemed to mingle in dreadful nightmare As
he walked to tile hotel. lie went to his
room, and lay down, and closed his eyes, hop
ing to rest The scenes of the day were as
vivid before him as a pic ure. And through
them, he would remember from time TO time
with q sudden quick throb. the dreadful sus-
pense he was under. "Suppose the jury
should find against him!'' His father had
been one of the cOnsistory of the church
when living, and Jacob himself had long
been church member. The hurt to his repu-
tation and to the family name was the sharp
est sting.
Jacob got up, and went to The star end'' OF
the hall 10 ask Willie to come. Willie's room
was empty. Jacob came back, and with his
wife had family prayers in their room. 1t
was ten O'Clock: His anxiety was intense.
He knew where he jury room was. He knew
that when the jury agreed they would seal up
their verdict and separate, because the Judge
had told them to do so, and to bring in their
verdict in the morning. He walked up to the
Capitol, and, looking at the windows saw that
all was dark. On his return the large man
was in the hall, up stairs, near his door.
81 think the jury must have agreed" sug-
gested Jacob, falteringly. 81 see it is all dark
in their rOom.n
''Sir," said the large man, glaring at him,
and speaking with whitening severity in his
tone and manner that made Jacob shrink as il
he had received q cut of a whip lash, " the jury
has found against you; heard it half an hour
ago."
Jacob eyes fell, and the great misery settled
down upon his heart. He Turned silently, and
walked away to his room. What was the night
that followed to Jacob Wilson! Those who
have suddenly lost good name may perhaps
understand it.
Jacob did not stir out Of his room until court
time, next morning. Then, as he descended
the hotel stairs, every one seemed to him to be
looking at him and stunning him. He was
very pale and weak, and walked slowly, breath
ing short. He had century of family pride
meet his dOom-to pass under cloud, that
might never be lifted.
As he walked up the Capitol steps, o man
near inquired of another: Did that jury agree
last nights"
'Yes,' was the reply.
How did they find!''
"Ain't supposed to know" sail the other,
indifferently.
Jacob passed on into the court room. The
Judge was just taking his seat.
Mr.. Clerk" said the Judge, eyou may take
the verdict of that jury that was out last night.
see they are all here"
Jacob had not yet sat down. He stood by
seat, looking. He had steeled himself; he was
white and firm.
Gentlemen" said the clerk, "have you
agreed upon your verdictr'
ave have" replied the foreman, rising, and
Ger carried it to the clerk. The clerk offered
it to the Judge.
"Open it." said the Judge, sententiously.
Jacob saw the clerk tear open the envelope,
unfold the paper it contained, aud give it a
long, earnest look.
you will listen to your verdict as the court
hath recorded it.
Jacob held his breath.
"You say you find" continued the clerk,
in favor Of the plaintiff, in the sum of eigh-
teen hundred and fifty dollars; and 80 you all
say"
The jurymen nodded.
men," said the Judge. "Mr. Clerk, yon may
now draw jury in ninety-seven."
Jacob stood, his eyes CLASSY for moment,
as II unconscious.
"Well, you are all right" said an officer,
who stood near him: and the officer offered o
shake hands with him. Jacob put out his hand
mechanically, and got q shake.
hot flush was sem starting up from ia
cob's neck. His sensitive, noble face twisted
and worked; his chin quivered; he turned and
walked toward the door. He aggered; his
step was almost that of an int xicated person.
"What's the matter with that man that Just
went out" said a lawyer who came in mo-
ment later, to an officer near the door.
SCOT verdict in that insurance case-full
amount. Didn't expect it, s'pose," said the
officer, indifferently.
'Kind of upset him, heya" said the lawyer,
laughing.
g Rafferty," said the officer
Jacob went down the sidewalk toward the
hotel People did in reality look at him now,
as he passed, trying to hide his flushed face and
the tears. He got to the room and told Mary,
and they had what the landlord described as
"a time" The landlord said that he happened
up there, and there was more praying and cry
ing than was allowable in that hotel. AS the
painful, nervous strain was taken off, Jacob
became faint and lay down, and Mary went
out and got him a lemon.
Soon there came knock at Jacobs door. It
was the large man. Jacob sat on the edge of
the bed, eating the lemon.
81 really must beg, Mr.. Wilson, the privi-
lege of making an apology" said the large
man, advancing to the middle of the room,
resting his hand upon table and speaking
with q courtliness and respect that seemed to
lift Jacob up into position of Importance.
He continued: II must have been misin- |
formed by the officer about that verdict last |
night. OF course we know there has been too |
much tampering with juries, and habit of |
finding out verdicts before they are rendered. |
1t is all wrong, certainly, though it is often |
done. We accept the deception which the jury
employed to mislead the officer as very proper |
don't want you olsy up anything |
against me about it."
40, no." said Jacob.
"It's dreadful, amt it!-burning people's |
buildings in this way" suggested the large |
man, conidentially.
"Yes; seems to be a sort Of crime" ven |
tured Jacob, hesitatinglv.
"Seems to be a sort Of crime!" echoed the |
latge man explosively; why, man alive, it's |
arson, State-prison, long term! And acN find |
him out. He may fool the people down your |
way, with his blind Dutchman, who can see |
the pegs in mans boots mile off in the dark. |
but he can't fool me. There is villain behind |
this, and we are after him. know him now:
I am suro of him arm watchipo ond tn :, y |