The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-01-04


girl, Madge Kline, could not be found.
Without her evidence. conviction
seemed impossible.
Besides, Miss Lessons articles ex-
ceeded anything that the most accom-
plished artistry had ever achieved in
bringing about a revulsion of popular
sentiment. / heard a man in the
street discussing the crime on the day
the trial opened.
Guilty? Sure, he's guilty" he said
why did they ask a change of venue?
His neighbors knew him. He wouldn't
stand dogs chance in his own
town.
And on the third morning, when ev-
erybody went about with a copy of
the News-Herald in his hand, open
at Miss Lessons article:
Guilty? That fellow amt guilty.
VIZ, there's innocence in his face.
Look at him! Who'd be fool enough
to send a box of poisoned candy like
that? Bought strychnine? Sure! For
rats! They can't and won't prove he
put it into the creams. Anyway, I'm
in favor of giving him a chance for
his life
They can't prove nothing. No
case" summed up the popular YER
dict
About all the evidence against
Symonds, in fact, was that he had
been jealous of his rival, and that he
had bought a box of candy at one
store and some strychnine pellets,
later, at another. And yet, so suscep-
tible is jury to the atmosphere of a
courtroom, that the man might have
been convicted but for Mary Lessons
articles
On the day on which the verdict
was to be delivered, old Lyons came
on the arm. We'll win," he whis-
pered. you've done finely, Miss Lee
son. l take back all l ever said
against woman reporters"
Miss Lesson smiled, and went on
writing her last article.
Lyons created something of stir
in court. The district attorney, in
summing up, turned and faced him
for moment. Where is the missing
girl?" he Numbered to the jury.
who knows? If anybody, it is the
powerful interests that are defend
ing the prisoner"
Lyons leaped to his feet, but the
Judges gavel fell with a thud. Il will
not permit such an insinuation," he
shouted. Strike that from the rec
ord"
Well, it was mot guilty" of course.
And yet, in spite Of all the signs of
an acquittal, which had been sensed
in court from the opening of the sec
Ond day, l was not sure. | saw the
face of the prisoner turn from green
to gray as the foreman pronounced
the words. Then CHASTITY smile came
over Symonds' face, and he stepped
down, free man.
The jury crowded about him, to go
through the farce of shaking hands.
II congratulate you, sir" said each
man, with a beaming smirk Of self
congratulation upon his perspicacity.
1uoy SdJueTou TOuuu ulul III all dFlu
cluster till Symonds counsel pulled
him away.
You had better thank Mr.. Lyons"
he said.
The two men shook hands. 81 was
convinced of your innocence from
the first, Mr.. Symonds," said Lyons.
And SO l brought to bea- what little
influence I possess. l hope, in return,
that you will let us have an article
on the trial and personal history.
But you must thank Miss Lesson,
whose articles did more for you than
you perhaps realize now"
He pulled Miss Mary by the sleeve,
and the girl and Symonds stood face
to face. The mans eyes fixed them
selves upon hers in a terrified glare.
Then there was sensation in the
courtroom. Symonds dropped to the
floor in a dead faint.
And, looking at Mary Lessons ex-
preston, | knew where the missing
girl was, knew that the undying
hatred pictured there was to burn
itself into Symond's brain for ever.
Copyright, 1915, by w. G. Chapman)