The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-04-29
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
The Honorable Abe Smithers was
not the regular judge of the circuit
which numbered Hixon among its
county seats The elected incumbent
was ill., and Smithers had been named
as his protein. successor. Callomh
| climbed to the second story of the
frame bank building and pounded loud.
ly on a door, which bore the boldly
| typed single:
"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 it more permanently by the
votes of the HOLMAN faction, since
only HOLMAN votes were counted He
was young man of powerful physique
with a face ruggedly strong and hon
est.
Callomb stood for moment inside
the door and when he spoke it was to
demand crisply:
Well, what are you going to do
about it,"
About what, captain?" inquired the
other, mildly.
rs it 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 venire he had drawn
from the jury drum had borne a singu-
larly solid Holman complexion.
Until the grand jury acts l 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 Smithers face darkened. If
he was moral coward, he was at
least a coward crouching behind a
seeming of fearlessness.
Captain" he said, coolly, but with
dangerous hint of warning, Il don't see
that your duties include contempt of
court"
'No!" Callomb was now thoroughly
angered, and his voice rose. 81 am
sent down here subject to your orders, |
and it seems you are also subject to
orders. Here are two murders III
day, Gaping a climax Of 20 years of
bloodshed. You have information as
to the arrival of man known as a
desperate with a grudge against the
two dead men, yet you know of no
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 do
than to bring in prisoners to be shot
down in cold blood"
The judge sat balancing a pencil on
his extended forefnger, as though it
were a 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 it
over. | cannot instruct you to arrest
Samson South before the grand jury
has accused him. The law does not
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
he work to me-"
His honor rose from his chair.
You can at least give this grand
ury such instructions on murder as
will point out their duty. You can as
ure them that the militia will protect
hem Through your prosecutor you
IAN bring evidence to their attention
'ou-"
IF you will excuse me-" interrupted
lis honor, dryly, "Ill judge of how am
o charge my grand jury. have been
n communication with the family of
Tr. Purvy, and it is not their wish at
he present time to bring this case be-
ore the panel"
Callomb laughed ironically.
mo, | could have told you that be-
ore you conferred with them | could
ave told you that they prefer to be
heir own courts and executioners, ex-
ept where they need you. They also
referred to have me get man they
ouldnt t. take themselves, and then to
him in my hands. Who In ! ,