The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-29

LOIe ms lildl was 10 beElH. ne
lay on his hard bunk staring into
space.
In the morning he was fully ready to
face his fate. IL was going 70 mean
much 20 him. He had never realized
before what a precious thing liberty is.
He tottered to a small mirror over
the Washstand and stared in at his
lined face; the blood-shot eyes that
returned the gaze seemed to belong to
some one else.
How his very features had changed!
lie could not account for it. Jim could
not help but think how much like a
murderer he really did look now.
Early In the morning the people be
gan 10 flock into the courthouse. Farm
ers came in with their whole families.
carrying lunch baskets and looking
upon the day as some sort Of pic
ME.
Morbid curiosity is earsuy whetted
and a man TO be tried for murder was
not an everyday occurrence i'm that.
county Everybody knew young HoI-
den; his father had been Well-kn0Wn
citizen OF Marshall,
Now 1t was whispered about in eager
sentences how the elder Holden had
INDUCED Jim and allowed the boy to
grow ND in laZiness. No one had ever
seen him do any work. He sat around
and wrote stories, which, I'm Marshall.
was almost as bad as stealing horses
for a living.
Serious fathers emphasized the moral
70 their boys. and pointing to the iau.
told them that was where they would
land If they We're not steady ana in
dustriOus
Half an hour before the trial was
scheduled TO begin, the court room was
packed SO that even dog could not
nave sneaked in between the closely
crowded mob standing at the rear
A large number Of men had been sum
moned for jury duty, as it was ex-
pected that it would be hard to get to-
gether twelve men that would be ac-
ceptable 10 both sides. as the prosecu-
ton would take no man who knew Jim
personally and the young fellows ac-
qualntance extended all over the county.
A great luII came as soon as the fudee
entered and dispose7 of a few matters
on ms desk before calling the court TO
order.
There was stir and a perceptibIe
forward movement when il was an
nounced that the court was in session
and the prisoner was called 10 the bar
the criminal Morbid curiosity WIS rife
Beside husky policeman. Holden en-
tered through the small door near the
judges bench, and walked firmly 10 the
dock HIS face was down and his Jaw
showed a determination that surprised
those who knew him.
Seated at last, facing the room, he
threw all of his courage into one pur-
pose, and raised his eyes to stare back
at the people whose attention was rlv-
eted on him Eyes suddenly evaded his
as he swept them about the thr0u5 iu
front Of him. a few friends smiled en-
enlargement TO him. but that tended
more TO weaken him than anything else.
He was so glad that Bess was absent
But there was her father at tkz States
table. among other witnesses.
Mr.. Brown sat Elum, silent austere.
AS Jim caught his eve blaze of mad
ness rushed over him, for the banker
showed Eaught but ii keen contempt
There sat George beside his father.
But the young man was not so calm.
His eyes rOved about, and he seemed III
at ease.
Jim wondered If he were scheduled
20 tell Of having met the prisoner near
the railroad track late oH tile night OF
the robbery. But Jim decided that the
young fellow probably had kept this
story TO himself. for be would not wish
10 raise the question OF what he was
doing there himself al that hour. Some
one might doubt the fact that he was
chasing his horse.
Jim could not understand Georges
presence unless his father had made
him come along for the sake of APP
pearanCe-
Holden wondered that Tom Griswold
was not with them. come to have "a
look at the great criminal But per-
haps he was al home. s5mpatllzlug
with Bess- Jim doubled his fist in
voluntarily at tAe Thought
While the jurors were being selected,
Jim had plenty Of time 10 gaze round
him.
The work OF paueIiug the twelve men
was slow as had been expected. and
Holden bUshed countless times when
a possible juror was told 90 look AT tho
prisoner and asked If he had ever seen
him before; the bushes would come
when the men would FeIEiy. Him
why that's ST HoIdeus SON. I've seen
him many times as kid" or "Jim
Holden, I should say I DO. Mauys
Their time I've set down 60 a meal i'm
fore he died. and Their weren't better
man in the county
These l0quaclous remarks discomfort
ed him more than anything else. Jim
reVereuceI the memory OF hls father. d.
respected citizen, and the recollection
OF where be. the son. was now stunned
him
John the old uatahman, was among
the witness es. Poor fellow. ae had been
so coalus-d by the robbery the only
one iu H.. experience, that ho would
have sworn 10 auyLulls
Jim recognized Gordon al the table
with his lawyer and "a few other wit
nesses Faces Of friends He picked out,
as the court was selecting the jury.
u was "a curious thing 10 note how
few OF these faces expressed absolute
belief iu him. Macy turned anxious
Iy aWag, as be caught their eyes Cor
a second, and some tried 10 pierce him
'with an accusing glare,