The Opelousas courier., 1893-09-23

in the rear row, directly behind the
foreman. From the 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 stern! Was it possible
that those lips which had ever curled
in smiles could be SO firm? Why one
might be afraid of him, that is one
who didn't love him as she did! 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.
sCall the roll, Mr.. Clerk" SAID
Judge Greengoods, and, as that tune.
tionary obeyed, each juryman answered
ftPresent"-comp1acently Sd, too, ex-
eeptine Nos. 7 and g., who looked as if
they wished very much they were else
where. No. 7 was a tall, sleSder, bent
Young man, awkwardand bashful, who
was perpetually blushing, either be-
cause people were looking at him or
because he imagined they were. He
also stemmered. No. 8 was q short,
thick-set, aggressive-appearing old
gentleman, very deliberate in action,
slightly deaf, but ever ready to slay
any one who imputed such a defect to
him. Consequently, No. 7 dropped
into a pool of suffering, where he
hopelessly foundered, and No. 7
shouted "Here'' some tim. after the
clerk had noted the attendance.
''Stand up" said the clerk to the
prisoner. And Tommy arose and stood
with folded arms, a fragile yet in
trepid Ajax defying the lightning.
But, oh, it was dark about him; if
there might be but a singlera a of sym.
pathy, then he could endure, The
court officer at the little gate was nat
urally more interested in the proceed
ings than in his duty. He moved for
ward, and Patty slipped within the
rail.
LET 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 ,ur verdict?'
The foreman dropped his hat and
folded his overcoat ard struggled to
his feet. In that silent instant OF
suspense there was q fiuttering sound,
and Patty few to her old playmate's
side. She threw one arm about his
neck, and stood with the other tx
tended toward the jury box like a
guardian angel performing her mission.
She appraised her face glowing with
with light of love, and Tommy bent
his head and kissed her tremulous lips.
eve have" answered the foreman.
e'We find the prisoner"-but here arose
confusion. From the touching tableau
Nos. 7 and 8 sprang forward on either
side, both noisy, incoherent, and in
dignant. From the spectators space
an ancient fury with blazing eyes and
twitching fingers was menacingly ad-
vancing.
tsilence! Order cried Judge
Greengoods, rapping sharply, and the
crier reiterated his command. The
bailifs rushed to their posts, One
caught the grandmother at the little
gate and forced her back: another
gently placed Patty in a chair, but she
leaned against the prisoner and
chung to his hand and annointed it
with her tears. Once more the silence
of suspense prevailed.
"We find him guilty, your Honor
blurted the foreman. Cor at least /
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 !" Numbered Judge Green
goods. mi. Clerk, poll that jury"
Guilty, answered the foreman in
response to his name, and guilty"
answered the succeeding five. Then
came No. rs turn. HI sprang forward,
apoplectic with determination to ex-
press himself and for once unconscious
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"
he said, II am thoroughly convinced of
the defendants innocence, and I un-
derstood that we all we're. I am q
man, sir, not apt to be mistaken, and
there must be some chicanery at work
here. I solemnly protest against the
verdict as given by the foreman, and !
beg to say that lam prepared to main
tain my judgment for the rest of my
natural life"
eft is evident, your Honor, said the
prisoners counsel, "that there has
been a mistrial. I would ask that the
Jury be dismissed and the defendant
released on his own recogniZance, IN
less. indeed, my learned brother will
agree to an order of nolle prosequi-"
Never" exclaimed the District
Attorney with on o~rator1cal' swing.
ssNever. I have o duty, sir, q sacred
duty that ] owe to the people Of this
great commonwealth which sustRins
me-"
s"There, there!" interrupted Judge
Greengoods, "of course, of course. I
dismiss the jury and continue the case
unto the next term. The prisoner IL
remanded without bail. Adjourn
court, MI. Crier," and with a very dis
satisfied expression comforting his reg,
ular features ''his honor" hsstened
away to his club.
The Sheriff led his prisoner away.
The lights we're turned out and the
great building was left to the ghosts
of sorrows and the echoes of sobs.
And little Patty driving home with her
orendmothee dared smile