Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-11-15
A GRAND JUROR.


Joyce her mother handed her $1,000
bond, her share Of her fathers life in
surance She thought Of pretty gowns
to be worn ms a bride. Then she sobered
up. David would think her silly; she
was 50 practical. She was sorry for
David.
About n month after the engagement
John Alroy was made postmaster of
Garret He was young. quick, clever
and handsome.
Joyce was busy Mt 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.
Ii gradually dawned upon INN that
Mary danced good deal with the post.
master.
In April he made his usual spring
trip to buy goods He had been away n
week, when he received letter from
Mary. She asked TO be ahsolved from
her engagement with him. He WAS
stunned and hastened home. The calm
ness with which Mary met him told
him bis doom.
"It is Alroy, Of course?" he said
cit may seem to you that treat Won
badly" she returned, "bnt ntver
knew what love was until met him. =
and Joyce went away.
Throughout the summer he saw little
of the happy pair, invented business
excuses taking him often away from
home. Winter came. and the store
claimed him. April looped up the an
niversary Of his shattered bopes-sDd
be heard that Mary would be married
in June. In June the marriage was put
of until autumn.
This was the reason: The postofiice
ut Garret was third class. Out al his
salary the postmaster was expected to
defray all Office expenses. In second
class oiiice clerk hire and other liahili-
ties were met by the government. while
the salary of the master was consider
ably increased Alroy proposed TO raise
his office to the second class so rs to be
able to marry. To do this he must prove
that the business Of his Office had in
creased for year TO snch an extent that
il eouallsd existing second class Offices.
Late in the summer he said that this
was so. In September an expert discov-
cred that, ollie the sale OF stamps for
year equa''d that Of an Office Of the
higher grade, il did not represent cor
responding increase in mailed matter.
Alroy was aroused II fraud.
In January Joyce was summoned &c
act rs grand juror on the Goth Of Fehru-
AIRY in the city more than leo miles
away.
The afternoon Of the 18th brought
Garret u hiding snowstorm. The
streets were deserted. Business was at u
standstill About 4 O'Clock and nearly
dark lady entered Joyce's private room
at the store. IL was Mary Hammond.
II have heard" she said ut once,
"that you are grand juror in the Feb
ruary term. The postmaster S case comes
up before you. :"
Joyce's heart gave bound. He had
not thought Of that.
The grand jury. l am informed. :"
she went ON, decide il there il sufficient
ground TO make out case TO go before
the court. You will have voice in de.
Gliding whether or not there Is case
against the postmaster.
Joyce's eyes We're like Goals Of fire.
IF it were in your power, you would
convict the postmaster, she said.
Joyce found his voice.
II knew him to be guilty, yes, he
said
"He is guilty." she went On. "The
stamps were bought by me with the
81 600 of NY fathers insurance. i pro.
posed the fracd Love for him sde me
do as have done. Love for NE made
him do the rest. "
Without another word she went from
the room ont into the snowstorm.
Joyce ,rembled in every limb. The
insult drove him wild. She knew that
he still loved her. and she called upon
that love TO save Alroy even ut the ex-
pense Of honor. The outrage OF it! Alroy
was guilty. and there WAS but one thing
to do. Loye and honor cOntended-
hopeless love, inalienable honor. There
could be no question AS to which would
win.
The following day. the outrage the
insult-gnawin at him, he went on
the 100 mile journey. On the morning
of the goth he took oath that he would
do his duty as u good and loyal man in
the matters to be placed before the
grand jury. In a few minutes more he
was sitting. with 23 other men, around a
long table, listening to detectives and
others testifying against unseen people.
How many cases were disposed OF he