The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-08-28


to the ground glass door behind which
the jury was celebrating. Some of the
waiting throng about him were at
tracted by motives of curiosity only;
others, restless and impatient, were
there to gather crumbs of information
for friends who feared Then there
We're three or four newspaper men
with pleasant, cynical faces and keen
eyes.
There was silence inside the court
room after the Indictment clerk had
finished his reading Juror Wander
beck was first to speak 81 would like
TO hear from Mr.. Scarborough on this
NATTER
Tie prosecutor smiled as he twisted
his brown mustache. you can't shift
any responsibility. gentlemen" he re-
Piled The law does not allow me to
dictate as to who shall be indicted
It's up TO you"
Boys. wish you'd hear me on this
matter" The speaker was John Kerns
of Bay township, a silent kindly man,
who during the tedious weeks of the
little. There was rustic of interest
as he rose, a tall, lanky figure in rusty
black. HIS spare, lined face was
smooth shaven, and he had the stoop
of hard work in his powerful Shout
ders. John Kerns was only thirty
years old, but he had never been re-
garded as young His intimates
bought Of him, though with affection
ate respect that had nothing of con-
tempt in it as ''Old John"
Il don't believe that we'd better in
diet Sam Hawkins" he said Il know
him as If he was my own brother, for
we were raised on nelghboring farms.
He amt bad: he's only weak Sam
would never have got into trouble If
you'd left him on the farm.
"Oh. know all about it. and so does
every man on this jury! Our party
agreed to trade sheriff for register of
deeds, and so you fellows put up a
poor candidate so Jim Connors could
win i'll walk But Sam didn't know
lie was to be sacrifice He went In
to win. and he did win. He had to
mortgage his farm to do it. and after
he had been in awhile he found out he
wasn't wanted and that he'd have to
walk The r,Ga!; ct tie cid of one term.
III the BOSSES want Jim Corners. and
next fall he'll be elected. The same
accident don't happen twice. Amt
ihat soT'
Nobody answered, though several
I'd shifted uneasily during his talk
Well" continued the speaker, Sam
Clint feel very good when he found
1T what he's up against The mort
{, ge was still on his farm, and he had
10 get 1t of this term or not at all.
they say he's made fictitious entries
TO collect fees and board bills from
tie county. You don't know what
you'd done or I'd done under the same
circumstances. Now, let's all shoulder
4 little of SANS responsibility and LET
him pay that money back. The county
won't he OFT ANYTHING. and to prose
cute Sam would would break hearts.
I'm going F. vote against a true bill"
They balloted in silence. None for
q true bill; twenty three against" said
the clerk. q little emotion even show
ing ia the singsong voice which haG
rs nero matter Of ROY me blasted So
nany that afternoon. NO further in
.'iiehnents."
This jury stands adjourned sine
die" called the foreman
Laughing and talking like schoolboys,
LOW that the long strain had been re-
moved. the jurors filed out of the room
Molly Dwyer was baking bread in the
kitchen Of her home, three miles from
The county seat. and a pretty picture
she made, her cheeks glowing from the
ardent kiss of the fire, while he. eyes
rivaled the Goals in brightness.
The snow was falling steadily. Sud
5enly Molly stopped to listen. On the
irisp air came the faint chime of sleigh
Eclls. The sound grew louder moment
y moment. Molly Went to the window
TO watch. Around the turn of the road
swept cutter drawn by a fine team
Of trotters.
a man in a big fur coat was driving.
1t was Sam Hawkins, the sheriff. and
the light faded from Molly's eyes az
she watched the team sweep gracefully
into her fathers driveway and never
stop until it had brought up by the
side porch of the house.
The sheriff sprang from the sleigh,
and, without waiting even TO blanket
the horses. rushed up the steps and into
the house. With the assurance of the
accepted lover he nodded and smiled
genially to Molly's mother in the sit
ting room. but did not pause Instead
he rushed into the kitchen and with a
cry of delight swept Molly into his
arms. He kissed her eagerly on face
and lips and hair. Although she sub
mitted patiently to the caresses the girl
did not respond to them, and half I'M
conscious sigh of relief escaped her
when the young man finally released
her and stood back beaming, to look at
her.