The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-12-04

Il Uultt concur IN your OPINION. gen
tlemen." he remarked. Nov. Mr..
Lambert. return to your place i'll he
jury box. and hereafter do not permit
yourself to listen to anything outside
the courtroom bearing directly or indi-
rectly on this case"
| heard this calm disposition of the
matter with SpeechleSs establishment
and Indignation.
but. your HONOR | burst out at
last. Il must insist that my r%csigna-
ton he accepted. | could not possibly
consent to act any longer"
The judges white eyebrows indicat-
ed surprise. but his voice was very
calm and forbearing as he answered:
Your Judgment of the matter is not
-er-Well, it is not controlling, Mr..
Lambert. In the language of diplo-
macy this incident is closed"
"Indeed. it is not and cannot be-" I
asserted boldly. "Further connection
With this ease would be exceedingly
embarrassing for me. and
Lon" trials are always embarrass-
ING for jurors. Mr.. LAMBERT
The judge glanced smilinCly at the
listening lawyers a he spoke.
1t is not Il question of my personal
convenience | retorted warmly. "and
when You have heard what | have to
say You will under>tand'-
"NoW. Mr.. lambert" i%nterpo>ed his
honor. II have ind,ll-ed you further
than perhaps | should have after pass
ing on this matter, but ! cannot allow
you to continue n longer. The uueS-
ton has been heard and disposed of.
and it will not he %reopened. | wish
YOU good morning."
The Judges protruding lower lip,
now strongly i'll evidence. warned me
{" beware, but the situation was so
desperate that nothing could intimidatc
me.
But | am disqualified. your HONOR
| protested hotly. II am positively
disqualified. and YOU have no authority
t" force me to serve against my will"
My language could scarcely have
been more unfortunate. but the old
gentleman regarded me with Il really
superb show of dignity and reserve.
THE question of your qualification
rests entirely with the court. Mr.. Lam
bert he asserted calmly, "and it feels
entirely equal to the responsibility of
its decision. | cannot discuss Il ques-
ton Of judicial authority with u lag
man. You may now retire. sir: but
caution YOU to hold no communication
with II Itp.nh ,..t...t;,,r .- I;-.r
which has passed within this room. I
will open court in II few minutes. gen
tlcmcn.'
lie rose AS he spoke and passed into
Il rear room. leaving me standing mute
with Indignation AID dismay between
the opposing counsel.
could not accept the situation.
But what WAS | t" do: My OWL rash
ness and folly We're Responsible for
my prrdicament. | had hotly asserted
that | could act with fairness and inn
lal1lalllN. but my answer had been
gwen with II" thought of putting my
sell to the test. Was it possible fol
me t" remain uninhuenccd lv Bar.
b:ra Eraync'S interest i'm her friend.
Miss Emory had already made Il fa.
VOfablc impression upon me. but il was
llnpoSSlhl" to forget that her warmcs,
friend hHh cntrcatrl nae to retain III,
plAr" ON the jury. The mere KNOWN
"dGr that something Was expected Of
i mr-lhAt | WAS relied upon for help
= embarrassed and rendered me iucaua
me ~ W ever proper ronSidcra
. tlon To the prisoner. | could not OK
u Tend the slightest Indulgence 70 tLc nc
cllSrh under the existing circumstance
: without StSlrcctiug my own motive.
ana rrrinr, If ut all, on the side of th,
prosecution. In Il; word WAS the mos
l dangerous juror who confronted th,
l accused, suppose | should he force,
) to renutr Il verdict of guilty. Cnul,
any friendship survive such !: blow
Gilbert WIS under a'Similar
tage. but his position was different
t He was an official charged with n NH
lie duty and not directly responsible,
for the verdict.
My thought stopped as II sudden sus
'picion entered my mind and sent th,