The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-21

the two We're Joined as a homogeneous
whole, he knew nothing Johnson adj
mitted that he had studied both sub
jects separately, then Joined the facts
so obtained, which he claimed was the
only way it could be done, Finally the
author sat down, having created the inn
preston that his book must have been a
good one, and if the people could not I'M
derstand IT it was because they were
lacking in intelligence.
When Mr.. Dancer, for the plaintiff,
took the floor there was a silence. There
was a troubled look on his face an eX-
preston of pity and sympathy for the
defense. Indeed. Mr. Dancer informed
them and the jury that he did not pro-
pose to be hard on the defendant. He
knew that the editor OF the Argus mad
not gotten over a certain political de-
feat, but he was not going to refer 10
that. But he had referred to il and sew
eral other things somewhat TO the de-
PENDANTS disadvantage.
The attorney for the defendant, after
strong argument in favor of his client,
made his final appeal amid much excite
ment He denounced the trial as a
farce: that It was continued to keep up
the excitement and sell the book: that
II the doors were thus closed TO free
speech. it would be stopped once and for
all. When Mr.. Dancer rose TO reply he
was conscious Of the interest of the au-
dience. He alluded to his client as a
gentleman who had aided I'm the devel-
opment Of the city. He traced his life
up TO the time he ran for alderman
against the editor Of 1.-THE Argus" show
ing that the editor Of said paper. in the
slang Of the day. had it i'm for him. -
and attacked the book to strike him
down AT the very pinnacle Of his literary
success Mr.. Dancer made an appeal
that brought tears even TO the eyes of
the JanftOr. He pictured the struggling
writer his priva tiOns and trials and
other heart-rending experiences. and
finally. in burst of oratory, sank into
his seat. bowling his thanks TO judge.
jury and audience for their attention.
The Judge charged the jury. who were
out exactly five minutes. They returned
with verdict for the plaintiff, and as
sessed his damages at $1,000
Five months later the editor of the
Argus had occasion TO visit the state
capitol. where he found Dancer the law
yer who had defeated him. installed as
speaker of the house. One day. in the
lobby Of a hotel. nc struck up a chance
acquaintance with politician who hap
pened to be an intimate friend OF Dan
GERS
How was st." asked the editor. that
Dancer SO rapidly acquired prominence? p"
Ills prominence seems to have dated
from the famous Johnson libel case. -
replied the other. "IIe won it by a
clever trick"
Trick said the editor. starting but
recovering himself
Dancer could never have Won on the
merits OF 4 book that contained such
unmitigsted bosh." continued the other.
But what was the trick inquired the
editor family.
a very simple one-Danccr selected
tho jury"
What, / heard that he rendered the
other side that privilege"
"Se he did. but Dancer saw that the
right people were drawn. and when the
jury was selected by "A mysterious dis
pensation of providence. every iuryman
was writer whose stories or books had
been attacked by the Argus. Dancer
knew there were many in the city. and
based his calculations ON their desire for
revenge. There he is row. Shall L in
troduce you?"-T. II. Van Reed, i'm the
California Magazine.