Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-14

/
little boy cut those marks with his jack
got into Mr.. Burns barn?'
At these words Williams fell upon
the floor in dead faint.
It only needed the scantiest cross ex.
am ination to bring tho fact out that
| Williams had used the marked hatchet
all the day before in the orchard. Then
the woman with whom Williams board
ed felt called upon to volunteer the in
formation that her ledger had not come
in until after 8 the night before
ut seems to me, gentlemen" said
the constable with the gravity that the
situation demanded, THAT had better
hitch up and take him right over to the
county Jail. 1t is a pretty plain case
viii you go along, dOctor?'
Low murmurs Of approval followed
these words.
Il don't see any mystery about it
yet, " said the graduate, filling his pipe
for the third time, land | don't see
where your jury comes in either.
at was my first important murder
case, " the judge resumed, ignoring the
interruption Cat this point | quote the
old jurist exactly. He was evidently
living his famous case over agaim land
l remember well the charge | gave to
the jury. practically instructed them
to retire and Immediately to bring in
verdict of murder in the first degree. 1t
was neat case of circumstantial evil
dcnce, and the defense did little more
than throw itself upon the mercy of the
court. "
The jury was an average one. The
foreman was choleric, Ratchet faced,
sandy complcxioncd farmer who had
served as foreman before and was i'm.
pressed with the Importance of his own
views as well as of his own position
Perhaps William Worthely, the black.
smith, was the most intelligent as we'll
as the most disintercstcd member of the
jury. He followed the evidence with
keen attention and listened to the charge
with Independent courtesy. l happened
to notice as he marched out that his
great jaws were firmly closed, while the
faces of the rest Of the jury were re-
| Taxed
The jury filed out. The court took
few minutes recess only, expecting to
sentence the murderer III a few minutes.
The spectators remained in their seats
"Wcll," said the foreman easily,
stroking his sharp chin, hay is about
ready to cut and there no use of our
staying here any longer There's no two
ways Of looking ut it. | guess we can
| follow the Judge. For the sake Of for
mality We II drop our ballots III the hat
We're unanimous-guilty, Of course.
I've got three miles t. ride and have
got to be home To supper.
The vote was hurriedly taken. Then
all but one eagerly rose. Worthcly alone
remained seated smoking his pipe stol
idly and looking out Of the window,
while curious lines of amusement played
Ground his eyes and mouth
"By graciousr' cried the foreman,
looking at the ballots in amazement
and then ewing one after the other Of
his fellows suspiciously. Some one has
put in not guilty and he has had the
audacity to underscore not. | should
like to know who this gentleman is.
We cam afford to waste time in fool :
play horc. Here he cast bullying
look upOn the most insignificant MEM
Der Of the r. But this ! son, in the
consciousness Of innoceuc. q, returned an
untlinching glance.
1--WE must settle this right away
began the foreman.
Have the gentlemen Of the jury
agreed;' The court officer put his head
i'll at the door. THE court is waiting. 3"
mo, answered the foreman with
red face, but we will. Now, " he said,
turning to his jurymcn, I'VE will find
out who votes not guilty, and prom
Use you that we will make it hot for
him. All for guilty, hold up your
hands. Opposed.
Every man in the room turned upon
William Worthely. The blacksmith
now dropped his hand nonchalantly and
looked from one to the other with u
cool glance. He seemed To be the only
unturricd person present. The foreman,
who had some bullying epithct ready
upon his tongue, dropped his jaw with
ont speech. Wurthely was not IA man to
be- blackguarded-hc was too big; nor
to he tritcd with-he was too digui-
fed; nor To be argued with-ho was too
logical. While the foreman was feared
because he held much signed paper and
many mortgages III his possession,
Worthcly was feared because of his self
reliant nature and fine physique
Fire away at me, " he said, with ag-
gravating good hunor Il don't think
he's guilty, and | never shall. Who
saw him do it? No one. SO there 5 no
direct evidence.
But he cant account for himself, A"
urged the foreman despairingly. do
have little reason.
Reason" replied the blacksmith
bluntly. I'm reason You until we've
acquitted him. Here's my word for it. "
He brought his great fist down upon the
table, smashing leaf clean OF. IN
not bulge hairbreadth until that in
nocent man is set free God is my wit
ness-I mean what say.
"And, cried the foreman vindictive-
ly, 1--WE won't bulge either. I've baen
foreman before, Mr.. Blacksmith, and l
know II men can bring one around,
give them time,
You'll have it fast enough" sneer-
ed Worthely.
"And should like to know how you
know he is innocent.
To taunt the one dissenting voice in
| the Jury room is no new device. The