Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-11-18
A Personally
Conducted Case
H1olly's Advent In Court
and Her Efficient Ally.
BY WAYNE 5. BORROW
Copyright. 1909, by American Press
Association.
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I'm not, only just q girl" Her arms
dropped listlessly to her side; then
suddenly her slight form stiffened.
"ITl do it anyhow" she added briefly
anyhow It's 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
lie 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-
proval.
On the eventful morning, however.
mindful of this conservatism and the
possible consequences. she announced
bluntly: "Pm 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 frm, and they all
knew what that meant. Mollie would
have her way now if she had to break
Ahrough a stone wall to get it.
ITO the courthouse! oh, Mollie! La
dies never go there, and you are only
young girl"
I'm the one who must look out for
fhe family now. mother" determined
1y. You know that. You're not strong
enough, and Elsie and Tom and Bess
are too young If father were here he
would DO it, Now | must take bis
place And you know this case in
wolves even the possession of our
home"
"But into the courthouse" family.
'And it couldn't do the least bit Of
good. Judge Garner viii 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 I advised you
not to engage any of them to represent
our case. They couldn't be disinter-
ested if they tried and would want a
big fee and then do us more harm than
good"
Judge Garner win 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 YouU be disgraced
forever"
I You can't tell Molie anything"
Said seYenteen-year-old Ben sourly.
"Shes making herself the talk Of the
town already with her tombOy bust
ness. But she can't boss ne.
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 a little more tomboy and n
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 a brick. and I'm going to
the courthouse with her. and if any
body looks a sheer at her I'll punch
his head. And Id do all the speaking
if I could. only | don't know enough.
I'm not afraid. Can't l 90, Moll?"
anXiously.
"Of course you can. dear with
pleased relief in her voice. Il 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 thar morning.
and before Mollie had time to get
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. 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"
Il will conduct it myself" Mollie re-
peated. "All the lawyers here are
friendly toward Mr. Thompson IN
derstand they have said as much out
side. That disqnalifies them for me-"
There was a perceptible stir through
the room. Several spectators who
were not Of the Thompson faction tit