Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23
VIII.

cided to take the shortest road to the
county seat and return by the roundabout
way later in the day. Various considers
tions urged this change OF plan, but my
chief concern was to rid myself OF all con-
nection with the Emory case before again
saw the Fraynes.
The little town Of Melton was in hustle
of excitement and expectancy as drew UP
at the hotel People from all parts OF the
county had been arriving all the morning,
and the very limited accommodations for
visitors were taxed to their utmost capac-
ity. The regular session of the court-al-
ways more or less of an occasion and mar
ket-meeting for the surrounding country,
had not only attracted the usual local
gathering, but had also drawn reporters
| from the city newspapers and the small
mob of city idlers which follows IN their
wake at the reckoning of sensation l
found that 1 was already a person OF some
Importance to the expectant throngs as
sembled in the hotel lobby. More than
once. as 1 elbowed my way to the once
desk, l heard myself alluded TO as the
foreman" and in some instances the conf
ment was not altogether fatterfng
"What2 Not that hatchet-faced bean-pole
in the city clothes?" whispered voice De-
hind me.
sYes-hushr' cautioned another speaker.
"Um! Glad he's not sitting on my case
aren't you? Too clean-cut, soft-hanaeo-
and hard-hearted-eh?"
You can't tell like 'em with blue-1eans
and whiskers myself most of the term, out
occasionally you find one or his klnd WIN
soft as poached egg" .,,as+ and
1 ran the gantlet of my critics at last, aio'
rea ching the office desk, inquired for Judge
Du6Iev He had gone to his chambers IN
the court house, was informed anu ~,
minutes later l presented my cara at ~"
door, ,, os q
Judge who sustained the dignity of his cour.
in his own person Indeed, 1t was sai1
that his protrudng lower lip eoula QUO. n a,si
court all by itself. Certainly d Tess ,aH,o
tinguished- looking man would never ha ~
dared TO appear in the garb which ms
honor habitualy affected. HIS rusty oia
broadcloth coat, low-cut walstcoat' any, anu
black shoestring tie with apsu Il, srotbar
ends would have excited ridicule IN a,io. .ns
nerson But no one ever thought OF iauSh-
ing at the Honorable Justice Duoley. .to
ma testic personality of the man iotodue ut.S
thought of such a x tpsLeg' that the mere
thought of his shaving made one shuuoe,
and vet his chin and lips were always mos
scrupulously clean. His hair, pfusneu
straight back from his foreheao anu 80
inc his coat collar was perfectly Whl.e'
and q white fringe of whtskers brlstleo ny
ward from his neck, but MS eyes, ne" nc
like in their brightness, showed mat "a
NOS stiII mentally alert and vigorous am
hts bearing was that of a young man. N
a word Cephas Dudley was a gentleman oi
the old school, familiar with ali the IisS
and duties of his profession, ana lhcio ~
tally acQualnlSu Win S'NAs
trade. o,,rtoous1y,
His honor received me most coufteou"ly
and unceremoniously, but the r iohiena
stated my errand he became fialcuIo.s
formal He could not conslder my Conn. ~,
nIcation at all he announced, except IN the
presence of counsel and despite my eafn zee
protests a messenger was ihs1aie.s -
patched to hurry Gilbert ana baIs.ow +he
the court In the meantime ne rang inc
hell and ordered the official stenographer 10
attend and take down every word uttereo
by any person during the hearing.
All this formality and req tape ar,l'o ~, %
and embarrassed me- and 1t was some mo-
rnents before recovered my selr-possesslon-
Gilhert's pleasant greeting when he en-
tered the room and his informal. manner
helped to place me at my ease, put Ie
senfed the Judges absurd solemn1y, ana
the atmosphere of mystery and precauIoh
with which he invested the simple business
of my resignation. -
Ry the time Barstow arrived. however, l
wa = more impatient than embarrassed, ana
the moment the judge directed me 10 lndke
whatever statement l desired haslehee %
to explain that since the adjournment VI
the court certain communlcat ons hau
reached me which disqualified me from act
ing further in the case, and therefore
rendered my resignation as juror. 1nel.
started to give a detailed account OF my
experiences, but the Judge instantly cut me
short 80
ma nded 1--WE do not want to know what
you heard-at least not yet. First tel me,
sir If you have formed any opinion Oh the
gllilt or Innocence of the accused
mo, sir. 1 cannot say that nave /
began; "but-
"Wait-waitr' he Interrupted Have
YOU learned anything concerning this case
of your own knowledge?
mo. sir" I answered. But 1 heard
'"Wait-waitr' he again mterposea.
Don't repeat what you heard Mr, Lam am
bert, but tell us whether or not 1t has haa
such an effect upon your mind that you
cannot render a fair and impartial verdict
in this case. .. -o.,a
exasperating, but l swallowed my tndlgna-
ton as best could.
at has made an impression on
my mind Judge Dudley an.
swered, with dignity; d7. od,, %i ran der
admit that 1t or anything else coulu feloef
me incapable OF fairness
His honor pushed back his chair from
the table and tossed aside the penhoiders
with which he had been threatening me-
'Do You gentlemen wish 10 examine MT
| Lambert any further?" he inquired, turning
to the lawyers.
IT believe Mr. Lambert is in every way
| oual lifted to serve in his present position.
/ glanced at Barstow. who had been study
ing me ever since he entered the ROOM anu
after our eyes met he continued his scfu-
tInv in absolute silence. 1t was emDarrass-
ing to be inspected in this manner, and
felt peculiarly uncomfortable under his
searching gaze.
II am not afraid to trust my clients life
to this gentleman" he announced, at last,
with impressive solernnity. Il believe him
to be both conscientious and capable, and
I am convinced that he will do his Whole
duty"
/ was so relieved when the man trans
ferred his eyes from my face that did not
| Immediately realize the effect of his words
| 1t was Judge Dudley's comment Which
reused me to my danger.
Il quite concur in your opinion, gentle
men," he remarked. Now, Mr. Lambert
return to your place in the jury box, and
| hereafter do not permit yourself to listen
to anything outside the court room bearing
| directly or indirectly on this case"
| heard this calm disposition of the mat
| ter with speechIess establishment and in
| dignation
'sBut. your honor" / burst out, at last,
| II must insist that my resignation be ac-
cepted. 1 could not possibly consent to act
any longer
| The judges white eyebrows indicated sur
| prise, hut his voice was very calm and for
| bearing as he answered.
'Your Judgment OF the matter is not
ier-weii 1t is not controlling, Mr.. Lam
| bert. In the language of diplomacy this In
fcident is closed
Indeed 1t is not, and cannot ber' as
Eserted boldly Further connection with