The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-02-09
A GRAND JUROR.

thousand-dollar bond, her share OF
her fathers life Insurance.. She
thought of pretty gowns-to be worn
as a bride. Then she sobered up.
David would think her silly, he vas so
practical. She was sorry for David. >
About a month after the engage
ment John Alroy was made pos tmas-
ter at Garrett. He was young, quick
and clever, and handsome.
Joyce was busy at the store, so
Mary often went to the social gather
ings without him, he calling for her
later on in the evening. He did not
dance; Alroy did. It gradually dawn
ed upon him that Mary danced agood
deal with the postmaster. He also
found that the postmaster often met
Mary by chance when she took sunny
walks.
In April he made his usual spring
trip to buy goods. He had been away
a week when he received a letter from
Mary. She asked to be absolved from
her engagement with him. He was
stunned and FASTENED home. The
calmness with which Mary met him
told him his doom.
ut is Alroy, OF course?" he said.
ut may seem to you that I treat
you badly" she returned, "but I
never knew what love was till I met
him." and Joyce went away.
% Throughout the summer he saw lit
tie OF the happy pair, invented bust
ness excuses taking him much from
home. Winter came and the store
claimed him. April doomed up-the
anniversary OF his shattered hopes
and he heard that Mary would be
married in June. In June the mar
riage was put off till autumn.
This was the reason: The postofice
at Garrett al third-class. Out of his
salary the postmaster was expected
to defray all Office expenses. In a
second.class Office clerk hire and other
liabilities were met by the Govern
ment, while the salary of the master
was considerably increased. Alroy
proposed to raise his salary to a sec
ond-class, so as to be in a position to
marry. TO do this he must prove
that the business of his Office had in
creased for a year to such an extent
that it equalled existing. second-class
Offices. Late in the summer he said
that this was So. In September an
expert discovered that while the sale
of stamps for u year equalled that of
an Office of the higher grade it did not
represent q corresponding increase in
mailed matter. Alroy was accused of
fraud.
In January Joyce was summoned
to act as grand juror ON February 20,
in. the city, more than 100 miles
away.
The afternoon of the 18th brought
Garrett a. binding snowstorm; the
streets were deserted, business was at
a standstill. About 4 O'Clock, and
nearly dark, a lady entered Joyce's
private room at the store. It was
Mary Hammond.
II have heard" she said at once,
"that you are a grand juror in the
February term. The postmaster's
case ONE mp before you"
JOyce's heart gave. a bound. He
had not thought Of that.
1.-THE grand jury, I am informed,"
she went on, "decide if there is sufici-
emit ground to make out a case to 20
before the court. You will have a,
voice in deciding whether or not there
is a case against the postmaster"
Joyce's eyes were like Goals of fire.
"1f it were in your power, you would
convict the postmaster, she said.
Joyce found his voice.
elf I knew him to be guilty, yes." he
said.
HE is guilty." she went on. 1.-THE
stamps were bought by me with
the 81, 900 OF my fathers insur-
ance. / proposed the fraud. Lovefor
him made me do as l have done; love
for me made him do the rest.
Without another word she went
from the room, out into the snow
storm. 3d.
Joyce trembled in every limb. The
insult drove him wild. She knew that
he stillEloved3 her, and she called upon
that love to save Alroy even at the
cost of honor. 'The.outrage of it'll AL
roy was guilty,sane there was but, one
thing to do. II.ove and honor contend
ed-hopele ss4love, .inalienable honor.
There could be nc question as to
which would win.
The following day, the ontrage-the
insult-gnaayine at him, he went on
THE 1OO-n1ile journey. On the morn
ing OF the Doth he took oath that he
would do is.Guty as a.good and 10y
al man in tho matters to be placed
before the Grand Jury. In. a few min
,utes more he wassitting w~ith,twenty-
three other men around IA long table
listening to detectives and Others tes-
,tifyiRg against unseen people.
HOW many cases were disposed of
he hardly knew, when he heard the
mameike had waited Tor, Joyce raised
his head. Now would come
his revenge for all the palm ne had
silently suffered, and yet his revenge
mould be only his honest duty. His
face grew hard and grim. Iva ~
A postoMce expert testified among
other things that Alroy had openly
boosted that he would raise his Office
to second grade so that the increase
salary would warrant his marriage.
Two other witnesses testified az to
tho focta o1rondy brow,