The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
By GEORGE GRANTHAM Balm.
EEE1 TAIT a minute, Davidson "
NV The city editor of the

Good night" and started for the door
Tom turned and came back to his desk.
The city editor held his blue pencil
poised over some copy as he said: I
want you to go over to Salem in the
morning and cover that murder trial.
That's all. Get the early train and stay
there until the trial is over. Make ar
engagements with brakeman to bring
your first batch of copy to the Office and
send the rest by wire. guess it viii
stand couple of columns a day if the
testimony is sensational"
The newspaper reporter IS prepared
TO go to the ends of the earth on five
minutes notice. Davidson only said,
All right and boIted from the office
for it was 1:30 O'Clock and he had
very little time for sleep before the
train for Salem started.
1t was an excited little community
into which Davidson came on the morn
ing train From the station he went to
the tavern. or hotel" as it was called
Not at inch o. room left said the
proprietor, who was also clerk, porter
and man Of all work. I'D like t accom-
modate We, but I haven't corner 20
squeeze ye into. P'rhaps I can find We
place t stop. though Leave Vt vaIise
here and we can give ye some dinner,
anyhow.
At II o'clock the court room doors
we're thrown open. The groups without
broke up and the farmers filed in and
ranged themselves along the stin pine
benches. The prisoner was brought IN
by The sheriff just before the court was
opened at noon sharp. He was a timid
looking man, small, blond and poorly
dressed
Killed his employers wife, said one
OF the reporters nicaIly-rePlyiag to
q question from Davidson, who had come
20 Salem without any knowledge of the
case except that it was murder trial
Of some Importance "Anderson's his
name-Swede. I believe. Doesn't know
1auch English. I interviewed him just
after he was arrested Said he was limo
cent, but they all say that. II the old
lady was anything like her husband I
don't blame him for choking her. There
the fellow sits" He pointed, as he spoke
10 a sIouchfng figure doubled up in a
chair, within the bar. The scowIine.
heavy proved face had a forbidding
look. Chief witness for the Prosecu-
ton" the speaker continued. IF they
can't impeach his testimony Anderson
will hang
The afternoon was spent in making up
the jury. It was hard to find twelve
unprejudiced men Of the town TO try
this fellow creature for his life. It
would have been impossible TO draw
them from the country schurman. the
husband Of the murdered woman. had
few friends, and his wife had been little
known among her neighbors; but the
farmers owned a common cause in this
trial. The felt that the preservation
Of their own homes, the protection Of
their dear ones. was involved.
At the court adjourned. Ten jurors
had been selected; two were still to
be chosen Davidson had time 20 get
10 the railroad station. and to give 10
a brakeman on the west bound train
an envelope containing a story Of almost
all the proceedings OF the day The re
nainder he would write at leisure and
file with the surly telegraph opera tor-
IN the meantime he must find = sleep
ing place
I don't know just where I can sen2
ye." said The tavern keeper. There
amt but a few people in town thai
takes boarders. and their rooms is all
sled. ye see the county fair opens
day after tomorrow"
A broad-shouIdered farmer. with a
zood-natured face, had come into the
little Office and listened to the CONVEX,
satIon. He Joined in It with a shy Of
fer Of hospitality
ri look after the young man If he
don't mind driving out here a couple
Of miles With me" he said to the land
lord. We've got a room TO spare
A farmhouse promised much pleas
anter entertainment than a stuny II-tIe
village tavern. but Davidson hesitated.
he had still some work 10 do, and he
would not be ready TO 90 out for an hour
OF more. The farmer made light Of
the objection.
I'd Just as soon drive in again after
supper" he said. I'd some notion OF
trying q new team this evening. any
how. and I might just as well drive
this way as any"
So the matter. was arranged, and the
farmer left Davidson TO finish his story
and 6Ie II The wire was in use for
railroad business when he took his
'seoUvr to The telegram office The IN