The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-07
A Personally
Conducted Case
Molly's Advent In Court
and Her Efficient Ally.
By WAYNE $. BORROW
Copyright, 1903, by American Press
Association.

Copyright, 1903. by American Press /
e Association. q
"Oh, If only 1 were man." cried the
girl as she threw out her arms pas
sionately, I'D show them! Pd- But
I'm not, only just a girl" Her arms
dropped listlessly to her side; then
suddenly her slight form stiffened
'IIl do 1t anyhow" she added briefly
anyhow. Its all right, and that is
enough"
But she shrank from telling her pur-
pose to the family. Girls were cared
for In the aristocratic, conservative lit
tie town. Chaperons were popular. late
hours discountenanced, strangers were
quarantined 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 consequ1 nces, 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 If she had to break
through stone wall to get it.
ITO the courthouse! oh, Mollie! La
dies never so 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 it. Now 1 must take his
place And you know this case in
wolves even the possession Of our
home"
"But into the courthousew family.
"And it 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
partfsans the people are here. And all
the lawyers have business or blood
Thompsons That's why advised you
not to engage any Of them to represent
our case. They couldn't be disinter
ested If they tried and would want
big fee and then do us more harm than
good"
Judge Garner will have regard for
our interests" her mother repeated
doubtfully HE wouldn't dare toto
give an unjust decision. And your
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 a wo-
mans having an opinion shall be
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 seventeen-year-old Ben sourly
"She's making herself the talk of the
town already with her tomboy bust
ness. But she can't boss me-"
Better for you if she couldp' 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. If
you had a little more tomboy and a
little less cigarette in your makeup,
Ben, you might be willing to do some
of your own natural duties that you
are now shifting to Mollie's shoulders.
l say she's brick, and I'm going to
the courthouse with her, and If any
body looks sheer at her I'll punch
his head And I'd do all the speaking
If l could, only l don't know enough.
I'm not afraid. Can't go, Moll?"
anxiously.
"Of course you can, DEAR" with
pleased relief in her voice. II shall be
glad to have company, for I've never
been inside the courthouse And it's
time now for us to 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.
81 will conduct the case myself" she
announced clearly. Il am entitled to
the privilege, believe"
"You are entitled to counsel, Of
course" irritably. There are several
disengaged lawyers here either Of
whom think will undertake your
case"
81 will conduct it myself" Mollie re-
peated. "All the lawyers here are
friendly toward Mr. Thompson. l I'M
derstand they have said as much out
side. That disqualifies them for me-"
There was a perceptible stir through
the room. Several spectators who
were not Of the Thompson faction tit
tered. Before the stir subsidized the
plaintiffs lawyer was on his feet COM
mencing his argument.
Mollie listened attentively, her in
creasing indignation keeping her from
her position and making her
forget the judge had not given any
formal permission for her to conduct
the case. AS the lawyer finished and
sat down she was on her own feet, her
face flushed, her eyes scornful.
81 wonder II there is one person In
this room who really believes that,
even the lawyer who declared it." she
said slowly. "Most of you knew my
father and how punctilious he was
about meeting his obligations. He alb
horred debts of any kind. Is it likely
that he would sign a note for $1O,OOO,
just about enough to cover his prop
erty, and not give a hint Of 1t to us2
And almost his last words were OF
satisfaction that he had left US provid-
ed for, even though mOdestly. Is II
reasonable that my father gave Mr..
Thompson's hired man note for such
an amount and, il so, that the man
would keep on working instead Of try
ing to realize from it? Isn't it odd the
hired man should owe his employer
Just this amount and that he should
give the note up SO willingly? de-
mand that the man particularize and
prove the Indebtedness for which he
alleges my father gave him the note
and that his employer prove his right
to the ownership. They can't do 1T.
Fitch Thompson is a.