Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-07-20
A GRAND JUROR,

Joyce, her mother handed her thous.
and dollar bond, her share Of her faith
theirs life insurance. She thought of
pretty gowns-to be worn as blide.
Then she sobered up. David would
think her silly. he was so practlcle. She
was sorry for Dayld.
About a month after the engagement
John Alroy was made postmaster OF
Garrett. He was young quick. cleycr
and handsome.
Joyce was busy at the store. so Mary
often went to social gatherings without
him, he calling for her later on in the
evening. He did not dance Alroy did.
1t gradually dawned upon him that
Mary danced a good deal with the post
master. He also found that the post
master 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. The calm
ness with which Mary met him told him
his doom.
1t is Alroy, of course he said.
1t may seem to you that treat you
badly she returned, 'bnt never knew
what love was till 1 met him.
Joyce went away.
Throughout the summer he saw little
of the happy pair, invented business
excuses taking him much from home.
Winter came and the store claimed HIM
April loomcl up-the anniversary OF
his shattered hopes-aLd he heard that
Mary would be married IN June. In
June the marriage was put off TIL au-
tumn.
This was the reason. The postoflict
at Garrett was third class. Out of his
salary the postmaster was expected tc
defray all office expenses. In second
class office, Clerk hire and other liabii'
ties were met by the government, while
the salary of the master was considera-
bly, increased. Alroy proposed to raise
his office to second class, so as to be in
position to marry. To DO this he
must prove that the business Of bis
office had increased for Il year to such
an extent that it equalled existing Sec
ond class offices. Late in the summer
he said that this was so. In September
an expert discovered that, while tha
sale Of stamps for year cqualled that
of an office OF the higher grade, it did
not represent a corresponding increase
in mailed matter. Alroy was accused
of fraud.
In January Joyce was summoned to
act us grand Juror on the 10th Of Feb
ruary, in the city, more than a hundred
miles away.
The afternoon Of the 18th brought
Garrett binding snow storm, the
streets were deserted, business was at
a standstill. Ab)ut four o'clock and
nearly dark, lady entered Joyce's rri.
yate room at the stoor. 1t was Mary
Hammond.
i have heard she said at once, that
you are a grand juror in the February
term. The postmaster's case comes up
before you.
Joyce's heart gave a bound. lie had
not thought Of that.
The grand jury, am informed, de-
cided if there Is sufficient ground tc
make out case to 60 before the court
You will haye a voice in deciding
whether or not there is Case against
the postmaster.
Joyce's eyes were like Goals of fire
If it were in your power you would
convict the Postmaster she said.
Joyce found his voice.
If / knew him to be guilty, yes. he
said.
He is guilty, the stamps We're bought
by me, with the thousand dollars OF
my fathers insurance. proposed the
fraud. Love for him made me do as
have done loye for me made him dc
the rest
Without another word she went from
the room out into the snowstorm.
joyce trembed in every limb. The
insult drove him wild. She knew that
; he still loved her, and she called upon
that love to save het even at the cost
of honor. The outrage of it. Alroy
was guilty, and there was but one thing
to do. Love and honor contended--
hopeless love iualienable honor. There
could be no question as to which would
win.
The following day, the outrage-the
, insu]t-gnawing at him, he went on
the hundred mile Journey. On the
morning OF the Goth he took oath that
, he would do his duty as good and 10y