The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-26
Genius in Reduced Circumstances.

Genius in Reduced Circumstances.
The case had gone to the jury, says the
Chicago Tribune.
For weeks 1t had occupied the attention
of the country, and public expectation was
now at fever heat.
1t was 1:3O a. M, and the guards of the
criminal court building announced to the
waiting reporters that there was no prob
ability of any verdict. there would be no
news to give out, and it was time to close
the building. Would they please get out?
The reporters were not pleased, but they
got out
Anybody who thinks they went back to
their respective offices, however, to re-
port that there was nothing to report,
does not know the modern reporter.
Ihey went away-ostensibly-bu reap
peared few minutes later at an unguard-
ed portion of the building with a ladder,
ropes, and something that looked like a
croWbar.
In some way, that cannot be fully ex-
plained without a violation of confidence,
these reporters entered a window of the
third floor, removed their shoes, and
walked in their stocknged feet along the
corridors leading to the jury room.
They We're not detected. The lynx-eyed
guardians of the third floor were sleeping
soundly in their chairs.
The young men gathered in one corner
OF a small apartment as near to the jury
room as they dared to approach.
As their eyes became accustomed to the
darkness they counted noses.
There was one reporter too many
Ihe extra man now slouched forward.
He was beery-looking individual with a
wooden leg and a crutch. How he had
contrived to mingle with them undetected
was trihe puzZling, but there he was.
know "a 1aara for y
said, and you may as we'll"
Hush! Somebody'n hear you!" whis-
pered the reporters, agonizingly.
That's all right" rejoined the cripple
in the ordinary tone in which he had be-
gun. II m on to you. How much will"
Great Caesar! Hushr' again whispered
the reporters.
How much'l you give me, gentlemen"
he resumed, without moderating his voice
in the least, mot to drop this we're crutch
on the door-don't you come step nearer
or I'll yell Think I'm durn fool? .Reck-
on don't know what I'm about? How
muchll you give me not to smash a win
der and whoop like wild Injuna This is
business, gents. You've got to come down
and come down purity LIBERAL or there'll
be the biggest kind of trouble before you
can say 'sesamoid' L amt goin' to wait
more'n about fourteen second, either
There was a hurried consultation A
subdued rattle of small coins followed
and collection, amounting to about s.
was placed in his outstretched hand.
1t amt enough, gentlemen" he said
with much firmness.
And he dropped his crutch on the floor.
apparently by accident.
Pick that up and hand it back"' he
shouted.
1t was done, humbly. The gentleman
who owned it was the recognized master
of the situation.
There was another hasty consultation
followed by another studded rafting of
small coin, and another reluctant 81 was
handed over.
81 oughtnt to let you off for that,
gents"
It's all there is" responded one of the
reporters, in plaintive whisper. you've
got every cent there is in the crowd. And
He retreated to the darkest corner, lifted
his crutch and held it as a weapon ready
for instant use in case of any sudden at
tack, and for the next hour nothing was
heard from him except loud breathing and
an occasional chuckle.
And the reporters?
The went away quietly an hour or two
later, and the papers of that morning con-
tanned the news that the jury had taken
several ballots but were unable to agree,
and had thrown themselves on the floor
to try to sleep. t
The faithful, untirng, sVigilant repor-
ters, 1t is needless to say, had distinctly
heard the Jurors throwing themselves on
the floor.