Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-06-18

The judge sat balancing a pencil on
his extended forefinger, as though it
were scale Of justice.
"You have been heated in your Ian
guage, sir" he said. sternly, "but It is
a heat arising from an indignation
which share. Consequently, pass 1t
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 I am
to charge my grand jury. have been
in communication with the family of
Mr.. Purvy, and it is not their wish ct
the present time to bring this case be-
fore the panel"
Callomb laughed ironically.
mo, l 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-
cept where they need you. They also
preferred to have me get man they
couldn't take themselves, and then to
assassinate him in my hands. Who in
the hell do you work for, Judge-for-the-
moment Smithers? Are you holding a
job under the state of Kentucky, or I'M
der the Holman faction of this feud :?
| am instructed to take my orders
from you. Will you kindly tell me my
masters real manner"
Smithers turned pale with anger,
his fighting face grew as truculent as
q OulluO6 WllllS SdtlOluD olOou 5AoA
ing back at him like a second bulldog,
but the judge knew that he was being
honestly and fearlessly accused. He
merely pointed to the door. The cap
tain turned on his heel and stalked
out of the place, and the judge came
down the steps and crossed the street
to the courthouse. Five minutes later
he turned to the shirt-sleeved man who
was leaning on the bench and said in
his most judicial voice:
"Mr. Sheriff, open court"
The next day the mail carrier
brought in a note for the temporary
Judge. His honor read it at recess and
fastened across to Hollmans Nam
moth Department Store. There, in
council with his masters, he asked in
structions. This was the note:
''The Hon. Asa Smithers.
Sir: l arrived in this county yes
terday, and am prepared, if called as
a witness, to give to the grand jury
full and true particulars of the murder
of Jesse Purvy and the killing of Aaron
Hollis. am willing to come under the
escort of my own kinsmen, or the mill
tiamen, as the court may advise.
THE requirement of any bodyguard
deplore, but in meeting my legal OBJ
legations, do not regard it as neces
sary or proper to walk into a trap.
Respectfully,
SAMSON SOUTH"
Smithers looked Pc 2lexedly al
Judge Holman.
Shall l have him conner" he in
quired.
Holman threw the letter down or
his desk with burst of blasphemy:
Have him Gomez" he echoed. Hell
and damnation, no! What do we wan
him to come here and spill the mill
for? When we get ready, we'll indic
him. Then, let your, damned soldier!
go after him-as criminal, not {
witness. After that, we'll continue this
case until these outsiders go away
and we can operate to suit ourselves
| we uOu loll lOi oduloOA oOutu
tricks. No, sir; you never got tina
letter. 1t miscarried. Do you hear
You never got it."
Smithers nodded grudging acqui
escence. Most men would rather b.
independent officials than collar-wear
ers.
Out on Misery Samson South hat
gladdened the soul of his uncle will
his return. The old man was mending
and, for long time, the two hat
talked. The falling head of the clal
looked vainly for signs of degeneration
in his nephew. and, failing to flint
them, was happy.
''Hev we decided, Samson" he in
CURED, tibet ye was right in yer nc
ton, bout goin' away?"
Samson sat reflectively for a while
then replied:
1--WE were both right, Uncle Spicer-
and both wrong. This Is my place
but IL I'm to take up the leadership 1
must be in different fashion. Changes
are coming. We can't any longer stan'
STILL"