The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-09-08

men In the places which they had
occupied during the trial, Nos. 7and 8
in the rear row, directly behind the
foreman. From tho anteroom came
Tommy, and sat by his lawyer along
side of the table in front of the Judges
bench. How pale he was, but how
quiet, how sternl Was it possible
that those lips which had ever curled
in smiles could be so firm7 Why one
might be afraid of him, that is, one
who didn't love him as she didl Patty
brushed a tear from her cheek as she
gazed; it seemed as if he were already
dead, and that it was his cold gray
shade that now appeared,
"Call the roll, Mr.. Clerk" said
Judge Greengoods, and, as that func-
tIonary obeyed, each juryman answered
"Present"-complacently 80, too, ex-
cepting Nos. 7 and 8, who looked as if
they wished very much they were else.
where. No. was tall, slender, bent
young man, awkward and bashfuk who
was perpetually blushing either be-
cause people were looking at him or
because he imagined they were. He
also stammered. No. was short,
thick-set, aggressive-appearing old
gentleman, very deliberate in action,
slightly deaf, but ever ready to slay
any one who imputed such defect to
him. Consequently, No. dropped
into pool of suffering, where he
hopelessly floundcred, and No.
shouted "Here" some time after the
clerk had noted the attendance.
''Stand up" said the clerk to the
prisoner. And Tommy arose and stood
with folded arms, fragile yet in
trepld Ajax defying the lightning,
But, ob..-it was derk about him; If
7~fs might be. but q single ray of sym.
pathy, then he could endure. Tho
court officer at the little gate was nat
urally more interested in the proceed
-ings than in his duty. He moved for
warL, and Patty slipped within the
rail
'Iet the prisoner look upon the
jury; let the jury look upon the pris-
oner," continued the clerk. ''Gen-
tlemen Of the jury, have you agreed
upon v )Ur vcriict?'
The foreman dropped his hat and
folded his overcoat ard struggled to
his FcHt. In that silent instant of
suSpcn - there was huttering sound,
an Patty flow to her old playmate's
side. ShH threw one arm about his
ncc'>. nul stood with the other ex-
tended toward the jury box like n
Ai,'r !i"nangel performing her mission.
She u,r!isod her face glowing with
with light of love, end Tommy bent
his head and kissed her tremulous lips
1--WE havc,' answered the foreman.
"Wc find the prisoner" here arose
confusion. From the touching tableau
Nos. 7 and sprang forward on either
side, both noisy, incohcrent, and in
dignant. From the spectators space
nm ancient fury with blazing eyes and
twitchinS fingers was menacingly ad-
vancing.
''Silenco! Order!" cried Judge
Greengoods, rapping sharply, and the
crier reiterated his command The
bailifis rushed to their posts, One
caught the grandmother at the little
gate and forced her back: another
gently placed Patty in chair, but she
leaned against the prisoner and
clMng to his hand end nd. .eppoiBtad. it
of suspense prevailed.
eve find him guilty, your Honor"
blurted the foreman. cor at least 1
thought we did, but these two gentle
men seem to object"
Then again there was confusion. The
District Attorney, his assistant, the
defendants counsel were on their feet
together and talking at once.
"Sit down thundered Judge Green
goods. "Mr. Clerk, poll that jury"
Guilty" answered the foreman in
response to his name, and ''guilty"
answered the succeeding five. Then
came No. rs turn. Hesprang forward,
apoplectic with determination to OK
press himself and for once ccunconBcious
of his own personality. "Not guilty"
he screamed, "and I've been trying to
say so ever since we retired"
Then No. 8 deliberately set each foot
in place and arose. "Your Honor, 1"
he said, 81 am thoroughly convinced of
the defendants innocence, and un-
derstood that we all were. I am q
man, sir, not apt to be mistaken, and
there must be some chicanery at work
here. 1 solemnly protest against the
verdict Us given by the foreman, and l
beg to say that I am prepared to main
tain my judgment for the rest of my
natural life"
'Tt is evident, your Honor, said the
prisoners counsel, "that there has
been IL mistrial. would ask that the
jury be dismissed and the defendant
released on his own recognizance, un-
less, indeed, my learned brother will
agree to an order of nolle prosequi-''
Never" exclaimed the District
Attorney with on oratoricaI swi ng.
"Never. have duty, sir, q sacred
duty that owe to the people of this
great commonwealth which sustains
me-"
"There, therel" interrupted Judge
Greengoods, "of course, of course. I
dismiss the jury and continue the case
unto the next term. The prisoner Is
remanded without bail. Adjourn
court, Mr.. Crier," and with worry dis
satisfied expression comforting his reg.
ular features "his honor" hastened
away to his club.
mi Il 4 Il