Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-07-31
Two Social
OutcaSts
By ALEXANDER IRVINE
(Copyright.)

(Copyright.)
A strip of canvas dashed from a bean
to the wall in a big bare dormitOry is
the accommodation offered for sever
cents in the big bunk house in Blin(
Alley near Chatham Square. Three
hundred men lodge there nightly. i
is the bottom rung of the social lad
der.
1 was the missionary and sat witt
a group in a corner of the loungins
room one winters night many years
ago. In the group were two soldier:
who had fought in Egypt, India, ant
China There was disbarred lawyer
an unfrocked minister, an ex-membel
of parliament, and several hoboS wht
were born that way. The ex-lawyel
at this time was a panhandler, witt
pencils and shoe laces as side line
He had a cracked celluloid collar witt
string tie that had been white. Hi:
clothes were threadbare and shiny
He had three weeks growth of bear(
and mustache, and his hair looked a:
if it had not been combed in years. He
was fine conversationalist and We
always enjoyed his viewpoint in the
settlement Of world affairs, in thai
corner of the bunk horse. An extra
glass of beer had I'm imbered hin
somewhat on this occasion and he TOLD
a story:
1t happened in one Of our northern
counties of Connecticut, one of those
primitive, backward places where re
ligion is popular and morality at low
ebb. Jim Farren was six feet two
inches tall. He was well built, broad
shouldered, with fine head and hand
some face. Whether well dressed OF
in rags, he was remarkably fine in his
personal appearance. But he was g
degenerate. The community said so
and the community knew. Jim got the
name Of being desperate and lived
up to his reputation.
Farmer Davis at the four corners, a
mile from the village center, imported
a bulldog, after losing some chickens
and one day he set the dog on jim
and watched the result through a
crack in the barn door. 1t cost Jim a
pair of trousers and the farmer dog
A year after the farmers death the
community was shocked when the
Davis mound was scattered and the
headstone smashed.
A man who cast some aspersions on
Jim'S mother had his barns burned to
the ground. Happenings like this
struck fear into the hearts of men and
there wasn't man in the community
brave enough to have him arrested
The march of crime continued A
mans house was splashed with kero
sene and set on fire while the family
slept; the church had been broken into
and desecrated; whole crops of hay
had been wantonly fired; and in time
Jim Farren's name became synonym
for brutal lawlessness throughout the
county.
One winters morning a farmer
made the discovery that six of his fine
shoats had been killed and taken
away in the night. 1t was very
awkward piece of work and the blood
stains were easily traced over the
snOw-covered road to the home of Far
rem.
This was the last straw The sheriff
was called. He organized a posse of
desperate men and dispatched them on
a desperate mission. Each man took
his life in his hands. They played a
strategic game, and, getting Jim sepa-
rated from his arsenal, bounced upon
him. He fought like lion, but was
overpowered, heavily chained and
landed in the county jail A day was
set for the trial. and the community
breathed easier.
The jury was composed of men who
were moved by common motive, be-
set by common fear. The judge was
man Of stern timber, cold, pitiless,
scrupulous. The district attorney
was one of the best criminal lawyers
in the state and terror to the tough.
The judge assigned several lawyers
cused, and one after another they re-
specially declined Finally at the end
of the list came young man whose
declination the bench refused to ac-
cept.
Il refuse to accept your declination,
the judge said, land l appoint you the
attorney for the defense" Sullenly
and in silence was the charge ac-
cepted.
On the day of the trial the court
room, which was also townhall and
opera house, was crowded
Men described how cattle had been
mutilated and farm products stolen.
Others told of fires and wanton de-
struction of property
care you not going to cross-exam-
inc these Witnesses" the judge asked
the attorney for the defense.
mo, your honor"
''Why not?"
'Tt wouldn't help the defense"
When the last man in the procession
left the witness box the district at
torney opened the summing up for the
state. When he sat down he looked
over toward the attorney for the de-
tense and tried In vain to attract his
attention.
"The attorney for the defense will
reply" the judge said, snappishly.
mo, your honor" was the answer.
'sWhv NOT 3''
1T wouldn't help the defense"
His elbows were on the table in
front of him, his chin rested in his
hands, and he gazed abstractedly at
he prisoner in the dock.
The judge delivered his charge. 1t
was cin111a and hrfaf II,rido... l..