The Washington times., 1911-09-06

did. because he, too, in all probability
was loafing on the job, on account o:
the Beattie case. The road leading to
Chesterfield Court House was like the
Everything that could be called into
action as means OF conveyance TO the
little courthouse was requisitoned.
The throng that could never, even
by a miracle, be crowded into the lit.
tie courthouse, thronged the lawn ano
roads, motley, perspiring, and vocifer.
Gus, like the bazaar scene in 'Lakme,
and as picturesque, with Its comming.
ling Of costumes, nationaltties, and
noises. The only things lacking were
the elephants and camels.
The Beattie case has been conducive
to mortality among the feathered tribe
of Chesterfield county. Every chicken
In Chesterfield has been sacrificed to
make a holiday, for this is how the
ma tority of those who attend the Beat
tie trial look upon this vital life drama
wherein a young man Is fighting for his
life That time-honored and ume-tred
Southern product, fried chicken, Is one
of the picturesque adjuncts OF the trial
AS early as O'Clock an old Nanny ar
rives in a mule power wagon, in which
are several huge baskets filled with
golden chicken meat. Il fried them my
self this mornin'," she tells one, AN
las night they were kickin' and a
squawkin'!
Scarcity of Fried Chicken.
During the day, relays of fried
chicken come by other one-mule power
wagons, and as fast as they appear, the
visible supply of fried chicken Is ex-
hausted-there is never enough to sat
isfy the crowd. The wagon owners
near and about Chesterfield have for
gotten the crops. because they hgure
AZ, rH fn lnt stand
gathered in the field, and make more
"bussing, to and from the court house
and they are correct In their con)ec'
ture.
ANY price, from 50 cents, for a ride
In an old corn wagon with board seats
TO 50 for a ride across the fields and
through the pines in swiftly rushing
automobile is charged, and no matter
what the price may be, the vehicles are
always crowded.
Some enterpristng lad SesteraiaS SiS
evolved the brilliant idea OF peddlinE
water through the court house during
the noon hour. The little room wa:
thronged with spectators who would no
give up their seats even at the urSen
cell Of hunger. and who sat there anc
discussed the case all during the lunch
con recess. The small boy, with big
tin bucket and u guard, passed through
the crowd, and retailed water for cent
gourd full And the funny part OF tn
transaction was that everybody IN ln'
court house bought.
"Beulah Sundays"
There is no limit to the enterprise
Of the merchants. both in Richmon'
and at Chesterfield. One enterprisint
soda water purveyor has in his win
dow the sign, "Beulah Sundays-tr!
them" Everybody does, not so mucl
| because they admire Beulah as be
cause they wish to pay tribute TO tn
dealers originality of thought. Abou
the only place that has not been com
mercialized by the trial is the Beatti
department store in Manchester-th
store kept by the elder Beattie, and II
which young Beattie, who is on tria
for his life, was buyer for two OF tn
departments. This store is deserted
| The window displays are dusty an
have not been changed for weeks
| There are no placards announcinl
special sales. The girls and men sale
| people come and go in a perfunctor'
way, taking little interest in thei
| work. Their only concern Is Tor thei
employer, that old man, that BRAY
but melancholy figure who clings wit
| a desperate hope to the son who's
| life hanged in the balance today.