The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-07-09

young woman closed her establishment
and went to the tavern. The pro
prieter apologiZed to her for the Ill be
havior of his town, and on the way
to her room she halted long enough
to say, ''Oh, the novelty will wear out
by the time Pm elected prosecuting
attorney for this district. And the
landlord grinning as he passed on
said he reckoned it ''mout" a while
before that time.
The next day was Sunday. The new
lawyer went to church, to be stared
at and preached at. She sat far back
toward the door and the hemming and
having of the minister were testimony
of the annoyance he felt at behold
ing the honored members of his flock
twisting their necks to gaze at the
astonishing novelty--a female barris-
ter. She conducted herself with
simple dignity paying respectful atten-
tion to the sermon, and when the
services were done she walked straight
away to the hotel. About the church
door crowd gathered to discuss her,
and in the midst of this idle assembly
stood the old justice of the peace.
He was more than honestly worried
be was sorely distressed. His imper-
lance had long hung upon his remin-
iscences of the old judge, and by com
mon consent he had taken charge of
the great mans memory sole exec
utor of the estate, bonds and
mortgages OF recollection and thus to
beintruded upon was fetching blow.
If the intruder were only man, come
with the defiance of mans strength,
procedure would be clear: but, in
stead. he was confronted by a young
and winsome woman. However his
duty lay before him, like a straight
path, and he had but one course to
pursue. He would make it SO unpleas-
ant for the woman that she would
soon vacate the old Office if not the
town. The circuit Judge was his
friend end that morning they held a
long conference, and now, as he stood
in the middle of that idle throng, bare
of his hat. with the SUI. beating upon
his ancient head he looked about
him until his eyes fell upon the mayor s
face, and then he said
"Speakin in the nature OF parable,
/ may say that there is more ways than
one of killing dog when you amt
got no rope to hang him with. And
want it understood that | don t
mean nothing personal, and, further
more, that there ain't man in all
this community that's fonder of lad
les society than | am. Do you fol
ler?"he added, nodding at the mayor.
dumping up agin your heels. " the
mayor answered.
| thought SO. No, sIr; you might
git on pert boss and ride all day and
not find man that likes the ladies
better than | do. And the fact that |
have been married three times is proof
of the fact. Now | know that you
gentlemen are all interested in what
I'm dong, so I'll keep 10 secrets from
YOU. l went over to see the circuit
Judge this morning, and he tells me
that the young woman has got the
right to practice in his court and,
worse than that, she can't by any due
process of law be got out of the brick
Off ce, but there is recourse. The
Judge don't like the idea of woman
practising law, and --well,i fact. he'll
make 1t interesting for her from the
very jump. Court opens tomorrow
and l want all you gentlemen
70 be there. ="
When court assembled the next day,
A ttorney Jonnett, duly enrolled. took
her seat with the other lawyers and
when the judge, following the usual
polite custom, asked The members OF
the bar, one by one. if they had any
motion to make, A. c. Jonnett in
sweet voice answered, mo motion
your honor "
A few unimportant cases were tax
en- I'D and set aside, and then work on
the criminal Gocket was begun. The
first case was that of young man
named Elliot. He had been lndlct-
ed on charge of stealing $50. He
was tall. pale. nervous, with an intel
lectual expression of countenance. lie
was a stranger had not been able to
give bond, and for more than two
months he had lain in jail, and now,
as he had not the money wherewlth 10
pmploy counsel. it WIS the Judges
duty to appoint 4 lawyer to defend
him. He was guilty OF course, ana
such al appointment was geniai
farce. but it was the law. The Judge
locked about until his stern eyes rest
ed upon Attorney Jopnett, His look
was interpreted, and litter went
about the room. The young woman
blushed slightly. and the old justice,
nudging the mayor, Whispered;
This here is the beginning OF her
in this town Ike
the ladies' society. understand''.-
I've must have Silence = the judge
demanded. Then he appointed Agnes
e. Jounc,t t. defend the prisoner.
Now there was no red oil confusion
on her face. She was pa!e and coura
peous. She went over to the prisoner
and sat down beside hIm. She went
10 the hotel keeper, and shortly after
ward han the defendent's bond tlxec.
She ANNOUNCED that the defense was
not ready for trial. and was gwen
three DAYS for preparation. During
that time size worked day aud nlgh''