The Forrest City times., 1891-04-17
THE JURYMAN'S STORY.

case was plain-at least we eleven thought so. A murder of peculiar atrocity had been committed; and though no eyo had witnessed tho deed, circumstances pointed to the prisoners guilt with unfailing certainty.
 Tho recusant juror had stood out from tho first He acknowledged the cogency of tho proofs. confessed his inability to reconcile the facts with the defendants innocence. and yet on every vote went steadily for acquittal. His conduct was inexplicable. It could not result from lack of intelli- gence, for. while he spoke lGt little. his words wore we'll chosen, and evinced thorough understanding of the case.
 Though still in the prime of manhood his locks were prematurely white, and his face wore singularly sad and thoughtful expression. He might bo ono of those who entertained scruples as to the right of society to inAict the death penalty. But no. twas not that for in reply to such suggestion, he frankly admitted that brutal men. like the vicious brutes they resemble. must be controlled through fear, and that dread of death, the supreme terror is in many cases the only adequate re- straint.
 At the prospect of another night of fruitlcss imprisonment we began to grow impatient. and expostulated warmly against what seemed an un- reasonable captiousness; and somc not over kind remarks were indulgcd In as to tho impropriety of trihing with an oath like that under which we were acting.
 And yet" tho man answered, as though communing with himself rather than rcpelling tho imputation. ..it is conscience that flinders my concur rence in verdict approved by my judgement"
 How can that be'" queried several at once.
 Conscience may not always dare to follow judgment"
 But here she can know no other guide.
 Il oncc would havc said tho same. !"
 And what changed your opinions'
 Experience"
 Tho speakers manner was visibly ngitatcd. and we waited in silence the explanation which hc seemed ready to give. Mastering his emotion. as if in answer to our looks of inquiry. hc continued:
 Twenty years ago I was young man just beginning life. Few had brighter prospects and mono brighter hopes. An attachment dating from childhood. had ripcned with it's object. There had been no verbal declaration and acceptance of love--no formal plighting of troth. but when took my departure to seek home in the distant West it was thing understood that when had found 1t and put 1t in order ahe was to share it. Life in tho forest, though solitary. is not necessarily lonesome. Tho kinds of society af. forded by nature depends much on ones self. As for me, lived moro iE tho future that in the present ana hops is m ever cheerful companion At length the time came for making ehe final payment on the home which | had bought It would hcncesorward b. my own; and. in fcw more months my simple dwelling. which I had spared no pains to render inviting, would be grnccd by its mistress.
 ..At tho land office. whicn wal some sixty miles on. met my old friend. George C.. He. too, had come to soak his fortune in the west; and we werc both delighted nt tho meeting. He had brought with him. he said. . sum of money which he de- sired to inveet in land. on which 1t was his purpose to settle. expressed Il strong wish to have him for n neigh Dor. and gavo him . cordial invitation to accompany me home giving it n my belief that ho could nowhere mako better selection than in that vicinity. He readily consented. and wo got out together. We had not ridden many miles. when George suddenly recollcct- cd . commission he had undertaken for . friend. which would require his attendance Ut public land s,.lc on the following day. Exacting q promise that he would not delay his visit long, CT than necessary. and having given minute directions as to the route. coutinued my way homcward. whilo he turned back.
 s.I waA about retiring to bed on the night Of my return when summons from without called mo to the door. A strAnger asked shelter for himself and his horse for the night Invited him in. Though a stranger his faco seemed not unfamiliar. He was prob ably one of the men had seen at the land ofioe, place at that timo much frequented. Offering him seat. l went to zee his horse. Tho poor ani- mal. as we'll as could sco by tho starlight seemed to have been hardly used. His pantiug sides bore witness of merciless riding; and tremendous shrinking. aA tho slightest touch, being atoken of recent fright On re-entering the housa. l found tho stranger was not there. His absence excited no surprise; hc would doubtless soon TO- turn. It was . littlc singular. how evex. that he should have left his wd9ch lying on the table.
 "At the cnd of half an hour. my guest not returning. l went again to the stable. thinking hc might have found his way thlther to give personal attention to the wants of his horse. Be- . 1crs gOlng out from mers force of huhlf--fnp ~a wapn aa va4 ,,uip faafs>1