The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-02-25
.sAll in favor Of a true bill signify

.All in favor Of a true bill signify
their assent by saving aye"
Several ''ayes."
Contrary, No"
Several Nos"
The foreman and an officer Of the
court looked round the table.
HE may, or may not. have thought
the sales legitimate" said one.
''Oughtn't he to have the benefit Of
the doubt?' asked another. tit is get
ting very easy to accuse men in office
of dishonesty"
San official like a postmaster" said
a third, should be above suspicion"
Rather unfair to make his wish to
be married the cause of his rascality,"
said the youngest iuryman.
And to blame him for his ambition
in trying to raise his Office" said a
kind voice.
"Gentlemen,' said the court officer.
"a majority of one is sufficient to make
out a true bill. and a like majority of
one may ignore a bill. Those in favor
of a true bill will please rise"
The nan next to Joyce sprang up to
his feet Another got up. Joyce count
ed three, four, five.
"If he knew the bare sale of the
stamps did not ~substantiate his claim,
that would make a true bill against
him." said a juror. Another mar stood
up, still another.
eleven"
The juror on the other side of Joyce
rose.
Twelve"
Joyce, with a feeling of exultation
that his revenge was to be even great
err than he had hoped when he could
be the casting vote to decide against
Alroy-straightened his knees to rise
and form the majority of one. At that
moment he heard a low, tremulous
voice: 81 proposed the fraud. Love
for him made me do as l have done;
love for me made him do the rest" He
glanced f%earfully round, almost expect
ing to see the owner of that voice
the woman he loved-the woman who
had treated him so badly-the woman
who had gagged his honor and his love.
('Your duty rs a good and loyal
many
mo majority" sang out the court
officer; "a tie. Let me try again
another way. Those in favor of ignor-
ing the bill please to rise"
C"Your duty as a good and loyal
many
Twelve men were standing up.
How is this, gentlemen" said the
court officer; "still a tie"
("I proposed the fraud came that
low. tremulous voice. Love for him
made me do rs l have done."0
Love. Did Joyce know what love
was? Did he know the power Mary's
love must have exercised over the man
Did he know her suffering now that
she realized what she had done? And
did he think of Alroy's love for her; OF
his striving after happiness with her
even at the price of that which men
hold to be the first principle of man.
hood-honor? Was there not yet a
chance for retrieving, a chance fo1
their peace, made purer by mistake and
suffering? Was there nothing higher
than mere duty? Was it duty to ire
trievably ruil two lives which might
yet be made better? Mary would nevel
be sure of the part her discarded lover
played in this case, despite her guess
ing, and-oh, his honor, his honor, ant
oh, his pain-his hopeless love!
"Still a tie," impatiently said the
court officer.
Oh, his honor! and oh. his pain-hi:
hopeless love! But oh, Mary's happi
uess!
Joyce, the thirteenth juror. suddenly
shot up on his feet, making the MAORI
ty of one.
"Majority!" proclaimed the cour
officer. THE bill is ignored"
The thirteenth juror fell in a heap t,
the floor.