The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-04-02
CHAPTER XIV.

not the reyul"I Judge of the circuit
which numbered HiXon among its
county seats The elected incumbent
was i'll, and Smithers had been named
as his protein. successor Callomb
climbed to he second story OF the
frame bank building and pounded loud
ly on a door which bore the boldly
typed shingle:
"Asa Smithers, Attorney-at-Law."
The temporary Judge admitted a
visitor in uniform, whose countenance
was stormy with indignant protest
The judge himself was placid and smil-
ing. The lawyer, who was for the time
being exalted to the bench, hoped to
ascend 1t more permanently by the
votes of the Holman faction, since
only Holman votes were counted He
was a young man of powerful physique
with a face ruggedly strong and non
est.
Callomb stood for a moment inside
the door and when he spoke it was to
demand crisply:
We'll, what are you going to do
about it?"
About what, captain?" inquired the
other, mildly.
rs 1t possible you haven't heard?
Since yesterday noon two murders
have been added to the holocaust You
represent the courts of law. l repre-
sent the military arm of the state. Are
we going to stand by and see this go
on"
The judge shook his head, and his
visage was sternly thoughtful and
hypocritical. He did not mention that
he had just come from conference
with the HOLMAN leaders. He did not
explain that the yenire he had drawn
from the jury drum had borne singu'
larly solid Holman complexion.
Until the grand jury acts don't
see that we can take any steps"
and" stormed Captain Callomb
"the grand jury will, like former grand
juries, lie down in terror and inactiV
ity. Either there are no courageous
men in your county, or these panels
are selected to avoid including them
Judge smitherg face dagkened, I
he was a moral coward, he was al
least a coward crouching behind a
seeming of fearlessness.
Captain" he said, coolly, but with
dangerous hint of warning, 81 don't see
that your duties include contempt Of
court"
mol" Callomb was now thoroughly
angered, and his voice rose Il an
sent down here subject to your orders
and it seems you are also subject tC
orders. Here are two murders III g
day, Gaping a Climax of 20 years Of
bloodshed. You nave information as
to the arrival of a man known as q
desperate with grudge against the
two dead men, yet you know OF nc
steps to take Give me the word and
I'll go out and bring that man, and any
others you name, to your bar of justice
if it is a bar of Justice! For Gods
sake, give NE something else to dc
than to bring in prisoners to be shot
down in cold blood"
The Judge sat balancing pencil on
his extended forefnger, as though il
were scale of justice.
you have been heated in your Ian
guage, sir" he said, sternly, but it is
heat arising from an indignation
which / share. Consequently, pass II
over. cannot instruct you to arrest
Samson South before the grand jury
has accused him The law does not
contemplate hasty or unadvised action
All men are innocent until proven
guilty. If the grand jury wants South,
I'll instruct you to go and get him
Until then, you may leave my part OF
the work to me-"
His honor rose from his chair
"You can at least give this grand
jury such instructions on murder as
will point out their duty. You can as.
sure them that the militia will protect
them. Through your prosecutor you
can bring evidence to their attention
you"
IF you will excuse me" interrupted
his honor dryly, I'll judge of how am
to charge my grand jury. / have been
in communication with the family oil
Mr.. Purvy, and it is not their wish OF
the present time to bring this case be-
fore the panel"
Callomb laughed ironically.
mo, could have told you that be
fore you conferred with them. could
have told you that they prefer to be
their own courts and executioners, ex'
ept where they need you They also
preferred Is PAVE me get man they
couldn't take themselves, and then 10
assassinate him In my hands. Who Ia