Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-12-04
A Personally
Conducted Case
Molly's Advent In Court
and Her Efficient Ally.
By WAYNE S. BORROW
Conyright 1914 nv American Press
By WAYNE S. BORROW
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
Association.


sionately. I'D show them. I'd But
I'm not. only Just girl" Her arms
dropped listlessly TO her side; then
suddenly her slight form stiffened
III do II anyhow" she added briefly
anyhow It's all right. and that Is
enough"
But she shrank from telling her pur.
pose 10 the family. Girls were cared
for in the aristocratic. conservative lit.
tie town. Chaperons were popular. late
hours dlscountenanced. strangers were
quarantincd for rigid introduction and
scrutiny. girls did little work and only
of the domestic kinds In their own
homes, and the few who aspired at
some period of their lives for higher
education or careers or independent
ways were speedily reduced to lady
like department by the general disap-
prevail.
On the eventful morning. however.
mindful of this conservatism and the
possible consequ noes. she announced
bluntly: I'm going over to the court
house this morning. mother. Our case
comes up today, you know"
Her mother stared, but the girls face
was pale. her lips firm, and they all
knew what that meant Mollie would
have her way now II she had TO break
through n stone wall to get II.
ITO the courthouse. oh. Mollie! La
dies never go there. and You are only a
young girl"
I'm the one who must look out for
the family now. mother" determined
ly. You know that. You're not strong
enough, and Elsie and Tom and Bess
are too young. II father were here he
would do II. Now I must take his
place. And you know this case In
wolves even the possession OF our
home"
But into the Courthouse family.
And II couldn't do the least bit of
good Judge Garner will have regard
for our interests. He was your fathers
friend
But he's second cousin or something
TO the other side. and you know what
partisans the people are here. And all
the lawyers have business or blood
connection of some sort with the
Thompsons. That's why advised you
not to engage any of them 10 represent
our case. They couldn't he disintcr-
ested If they tried and would want a
big fee and then do us more harm than
good
Judge Garner will have regard for
our interests" her mother repeated
doubtfully. "IIe wouldn't dare toto
presence
Wouldn't help the case any. you
think" interrupted Mollie curly. Well.
perhaps not to the prejudiced. But |
shall make the experiment. and some
Of those who don't believe In wo-
mans having an opinion shall he
forced to hear mine
Not speak-you-in the courthouse,
oh. Mollie Fraser. You'll be disgraced
forever.
You can't tell Mollie anything"
said seyenteen-y ear-old Ben sourly.
She's making herself the talk of the
town already with her tomboy busi-
ness. But she cant boss me-
Better for you If she could cried
Elson. who was two years younger.
"Mollie's the finest girl In this town.
and her tomboy business Is saving
this family. and that's straight. II
you had n little more tomboy and n
little less cigarette In your makeup.
Ben. you might he willing TO do some
of your own natural duties that you
are now shifting to Mollie's shoulders.
| say she's brick. and I'm going to
the courthouse with her. aud If any
body looks sneer at her I'll punch
his head. And Id do all the speaking
IL could. only don't know enough.
I'm not afraid. Can't I go. Moll;"
anxiously.
'Of course you can. dear" with
pleased relief IN her voice. Il shall be
glad 10 have company. for I've never
been inside the courthouse. Aud it's
time now for Us 10 start. think"
Thompson versus Fraser was the
first case on the docket that morning.
and before Mollie had time To- get
frightened at the curious faces turned
toward her the case was called and
Judge Garner was inquiring for coun-
sci for the defense. Mollie rose quick
ly.
II will conduct the case myself" she
announced clearly. II am entitled 10
the privilege. believe
You are entitled IA counsel of
course" irritably. ''rhcre are several
disengaged lawyers here either of
whom think will undertake your
case
Il will conduct II myself" Mollie re-
peated. "All the lawyers here are
friendly toward Mr.. Thompson. | un-
derstand they have said as much out
side. That disqualifies them for me-"
There was a perceptlble stir through
the room. Several spectators who
were not Of the Thompson faction tit