Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-07

W lAlnlI6k]llR
 Y understand" hc muttered. "You
 :,,can cbcut Louden"-
 Once the courtroom was disturbed and set in an uproar which even the judges customary threat failed to sub due. Joe had been talking very rapidly and having turned the point he was making with perfect dexterity, the jury listening eagerly, stopped for mo ment to take swallow of water. A voice rose over the low hum of the crowd in a delirious chuckle, Why don't somebody head him off ?" The room instantly rocked with laughter, under cover of which the identity of the sacrilegious chuckler was not dis covered, but the voice was the voice of Buckalew, who was incredibly sur prised to find that he had spoken aloud. The jury were ''out," after the case had been given to them. seventeen minutes and thirty seconds by the watch Claudine held in her hand. The little man, whose fate was now on the knees of the gods, looked pathetically at the foreman and then at the face of his lawyer and began to shake vio- lently, but not with fright. He had gone to the jail on Joe's word, as q good dog goes where his master bids, trustfully, and yet Happy had not been able to keep his mind from consider ing the horrible chances. Don't wor- ry," Joe had said. Its all right. I'll see you through" And he had kept his word.
 The little man was cleared. It took Happy long time to get through what he had to say to his at torney in the anteroom, and even then, of course, he did not manage to put it in words, for he had broken down" with sheer gratitude, "Why, d-n me, Joe" he sobbed, If ever I-if, ever you well, by God, if you ever"- This was the substance of his lngual ac- complishment under the circumstances. But Claudine threw her arms around poor Joe's neck and kissed him. Many people were waiting to shake hands with Joe and congratulate him. The trio, taking advantage of seats near the rail, had already done that Somewhat uproariously) before he had followed Happy, and so had Ariel and Ladew, both, necessarily, rather hur- riedly. But in the corridors he found, when he came out of the anteroom, clients, acquaintances, friends = old friends, new friends and friends he had never seen before-everybody beaming upon him and wringing his hand, as if they had been sure ot it all from the start.
 They gathered round him if he stop ped for an instant and crowded after him admiringly when he went on again, making his progress slow. When he finally came out of the big doors into the sunshine, there were as many people in the yard as there had been when he stood in the same place and | watched the mob rushing his clients guards. But today their temper was different, and as he paused moment, looking down on the upturned. laugh inS faces, with hundred jocular and I congratulatcry salutations shouted up at him. somebody started cheer, and 1t was taken up with thundcrous good will.
 There followed the interrogation GUS tomary in such emergencies, and the i anxious inquirer was informed by forr or five hundred people simultaneously that Joe Louden was all right
 Head him off-' beloved Mike Shec- han. suddenly dnrting up the steps. The shout increased. and with good reason, for he stepped quickly back within the doors and. retreatIng through the building. made good his escape by a basement door.
 He struck on into Q long detour: but. though he managed to evade the crowd. he had to stop and shake hands with every third person he met. As he came out upon Main street again he encountered his father.
 "Howdy do. Joey said this laconic person and offered his hand. They shook briefly. "well.- he continued, rubbing his beard. how are yer
 ''All right. father. think"
 Satisfied with the verdictT
 "I'd be pretty hard to please if I weren't" Joe laughed
 NIT. Louden rubbed bis beard again. "I was there,- he said. without emo ton
 At the trial. you mesnT
 "Yex.- He offered his hand once . more. and again they shook well. cone around and see 1s.- he said.
 Thank you I will
 well said Mir. Louiea. good day. Ioe-
 Good day. father"
 ! The young man stocd looking after | him with q curious smile Then he i gave . slight start Far up the street ]. be saw tive nzures-aue q lsdy's in