Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-01
Oh AFTER XIV.
THE BLACK CAP.

CHATTER XIV.
THE BLACK CAP.
There is silence, or all but silence, in the
court. Tie buzz Of suppressed conversation
sinks almost to nothing-abso,uiely to moth
ing as the judges marshal rises, and after
gabblins through the mysterious prOclama
ton which begins "Oyez! Oyez! Oyer do
clares the court open.
Philippa. still closely yelled, sits like a
statue. Her hand. which ever grasps mine,
scarcely responds to the pressure by which
again and again endeavUr to bid her hope
for the best. 1 would give much If even
now could get her TO consent to my lead
ing her away. l dare not suggest this.
know that doing so would be waste of words
The court is open. The red judge is per-
using letters and papers which lie in front
of him as calmly and uncOncernedly as II
the life's happiness Of at least one man
and woman, did not greatly depend upon
the view he takes of the case about to be
tried. He raises one of his bouquets and in
haIes the perfume Of the flowers. How can
one in his position behave like an ordinary
mortal? Were we not here, he might con-
denim an innocent man to a shameful death!
wonder if, with such horrible responsible
ty resting on him, judge can ever really
be happy man?
These thoughts seem trivial; bUtmy mind
is BY now in a strange state; it is, indeed, so
sensitive that every slight incident, every
small ceremonial, of to-day seems to be i'm
pressed forever upon it.
A bewigged gentieman-ths clerk OF as
size, the man next me tells his neighbor-
rises and calls name after name, until he
has fixed upon the twenty-three gentlemen
needed to form the grand jury. They stand
up in their places, and, in patches Of four,
are rapidly sworn. The absurd proclama-
ton against vice and immortality is read;
much good may it do every one present!
Then the clerk sits down, and the judge,
forsaking his papers, begins his work.
He arranges his robes to his satisfaction,
leans forward, and, placing the tips Of his
long white fingers together, addresses
charges am told, is the right term-the
grand jury in pleasant colloquial manner.
l strain every aural nerve 10 catch the pur-
port of his glib words. He is sure to say
something about this important murdercase.
shall, perhaps, be able to learn how it was
that the man fell under suspicion.
Alasl the judge is one who by dint Of
years of practice has acquired the knack Of
using his voice only just so much as is alb
solutely necessary. The grand jury is close
to him, and can, no doubt hear him; but to
those who, like ourselves, are far away in
the background of the court, his remarks
are inaudible. All can catch is closing
caution to the grand jury, to bear in mind
that it is not within its province to deter
mine the innocence or guilt OF the prisoners,
but to simply decide whether there is or is
not sufficient evidence for the cases 10 go to
trial.
The grand Jury files out of court to con-
duct its solemn deliberations in the place
appointed. The judge addresses few smil-
ing words to the sheriff and other magnates
who, by right of favor, occupy seats on the
bench; then he returns to the peruSal Of his
papers.
For the first time since we entered the
court Philippa speaks to me. Are they
trying him now?' she asks in a low awed
whisper. yet in voice so changed that
know what the suspense is costing her.
Briefly / explain the procedure of the law,
so far as l know it. She sighS, and says no
more.
More monotonOus calling Of many names,
to which summons. however, another class
of men respond. The common jurymen are
now being called. Probably, to save time,
twelve men are sent into the box where
they sit, some appearing 10 enjoy the digni-
ty of the position, some with StOiid indiffer-
ence, others with acute unhappiness plainly
manifested. look at these men with scarce
ly less interest than | look at the judge. On
them, or on some of them, our fate rests as
much, perhaps more, than it rests on him.
Those men are trying uS-HOt only the man
who will by and by stand in that rail-tOpped
inclosure into which we look down.
Twenty long weary minutes pass by. All
eyes turn to a wooden gallery in the right
hand corner of the court. \ door in the wall
opens. The members of the grand jury
emerge and fill the gallery. The foreman
arms himself with gigantic fishing-rOd, to
which he attaches paper, which iScOnyey-
ed by this clumsy method tD that busy gen.
tleman, the clerk of aSsize. What idiOtic
foOlery all this seems to me!
The clerk detaches the document glances
at it, and looks up at the gallery.
Gentlemen of the grand jury, you return
true bill against William Evans for mur-
der?''
We do" answered the foreman with shy
solemnity.
l grind my teeth. Foolsl If men Of cul-
ture and standing err ike this, what can be
expected from common jury? 1t is we'll
for me that heard the caution just now
given by the judge. take such comfort as
csn by thinking they have tried the evil
dence, not the man. What can the evidence
be? All! We shall soon know.
The clerk turns, and, addressing no one
in particular, says, "Bringu the prisoner"
Once more set my teeth. l feel my wife's
arm tremble; her hand grows cold. 1 hear
a buzz, as of expectation. run throu-h the
crowded court. Every eye turns in oDe Gi-
rectiOn-toward the empty dock. Fora mo-
ment species OF dizziness comes over me;
objects swim before my eyes. The senSa-
ton passes away. l recover myself. The
dock is no longer untenauted. In the cen
ter, with a staiwart policeman on either
side of him, stands the aCcu>edl The man
who, ii needs be- must be saved by SUcI
sacrifice.
To be Continued.