Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-04-23
AVOID JURY SERVICE
PUBLIC DUTY THAT Is DISlIKED
BY BRITISH CITIZENS.
Humorous Excuses Sometimes Adj
vanced by Those Who Are Sum-
moned-Woman's Plea for Elk
penses Allowed by Judge.

lew British citizens, indeed, have
ever any burning desire to spend three
or four days successfully in the jury
box at the high courts or at the local
asslzes or sessions, writer in London
Answers says.
Inc average jury receives such
treatment and is so much annoyed by
delays, criticisms intricacies. etc,
that nobody wants to serve on it.
Add to these ills the serious loss of
time to most tradesmen, loss of actual
money owing to business postpone-
ments, loss Of out-of-pocket expenses
In meals, fares, ETC., and no one can
wonder that the British citizen will
make any excuse in the world to be
quit of serving as a juror, if he thinks
1t can be managed.
In my capacity as a clerk in one of
the chief London courts come across
strange excuses of this kind,
Not long ago one of the men sum-
moned for jury in breach of promise
case appeared and claimed exemption
because his wife had presented him
with twins that morning, and this I'M
expected event had upset him so much
that he felt he couldn't give his mind
to the trial as much as was necessary
to DO it justice. The court laughed
heartily and the man appeared sur
prised at his callousness.
But he didn't get Off
m stone deaf, my lord" said one
eager juror before he was sworn. evil
IDENTIFY expecting he would be let off
forthwith. So l was instructed to
make him stand down for a while till
we had got his panel arranged, which
he did with smile as of a conqueror.
But that smile was his undoing, for
the judge had observed it, though he
gave not the least indication of this.
However, when all was ready for the
case to start, and whilst the man was
standing expectantly near the box, his
iordship, looking at me, said blandly
and unconcernedly:
oh, just write down for that man
that he may go, Mr.. --, will your"
l turned to the juror, but it was
clear he had heard the judges words,
for he was hurriedly preparing to de-
part. And before l could explain to
him the judge added quietly:
BY the by, he may as we'll stop.
His hearing seems to be improving,
and he can wait for the next case, by
which time it will doubtless be all
right again"
cot n HI - CHI IL l..
when, on Calling out the name of
Francis Johnson" among the jurors,
lady in court arose and came for
ward. Judge, counsel and spectators
stared in wonder
But you're woman!" l gasped.
"Of course!" replied she tartly.
What did you imagine I was-a mon
key?"
l had to explain that women were
ineligible for sitting on jury.
Then why did you bring me up
from Sidcup?" she inquired Il have
lost my time and money in coming,
and all because you folks are so silly
that you can't tell a woman from a
man.
she had the pull of US, and the spec
tators grinned shockingly.
PAY the lady's fare and excuse
her" said Mr. Justice , suavely.
This was the neatest and safest
method, as his lordship knew when
he caught the CLINT in that ladys eye.
So paid her expenses and she left,
smiling and thanking the judge pro-
fusely.
A judge is usually a capital hand at
summing up human nature, especially
of the feminine variety. All said and
done, that is his business.