The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-02-08

a reporter hate not his father and
mother when the papers interests
are to be served, he won't do for the
News-Herald. Remember that-al-
ways"
And she did-indeed she did. There
was the time when she stood all night
in a binding snowstorm to get the
first news of the death of the presi-
dent of the Southwestern system.
Brought 1t back in the gray dawn,
the story all written, and had to wait
an hour longer till the Waterman I'M
locked the door.
But / am thinking now Of the IA
nous Bell trial. Bell had been ar
rested for murder in some obscure
little place that no one had ever
heard Of, supposed. He had been in
love with girl, and had sent box
of poisoned candy to his rival, &C
cording to the claim of the district at
torney. The woman had disappeared,
and that was considered the most
favorable omen for the prisoner Six
of US were sent down to Shoreport to
report the trial, which ran in scare
heads every day. They were a week
selecting jury, and they'd never got
one il there hadn't been a change of
venue.
For some occult reason-all Lyons
reasons are occult-the News-Herald
was told to take the prisoners side.
It may have been because the Eagle
was openly for the conviction of
Symonds, the prisoner. Personally, /
had no doubt of his guilt the moment
l set eyes on him. Mary Lesson was
there to do the gush work.
What do YOU think, Miss Leeson"
/ asked. Guilty."
Miss Lesson had elected to take an
obscure seat m the back of the court
room, to get the thing in better per-
spective, as she said. was coaching
her that day-it was her first trial-in
the manner of court procedure.
"The News-Herald says he's inno-
cent" she answered
But what do you think?" l per-
sisted
Innocent" said Miss Lesson with a
curious information. 1t was as If her
feminine psychology was at strife
with the instinct of obedience to the
papers demands.
The case against Symonds was not
strong one 1t became pretty well
evident from the second day that he
would be acquitted unless the state
could bring better witnesses. The
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 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 6 change of venue?
His neighbors knew him. He wouldn't
stand O. dogs chance in his own
town."
And on the third morning, when ev-
% ybO0y WOAt dOOub Win WY VI
the News-Herald in his hand, open
at Miss Lessons article:
Guilty? That fellow amt guilty.
Why, there's innocence in his face.
Look at himl 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 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 a jury to the atmosphere of
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
down to see. He patted Mary Lesson
on the arm. Wen win," he whis-
pered. You've done finely, Miss Lee
son. l take back all 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?" be Numbered to the jury.
who knows? II anybody. 1t Is the
powerful interests that are defend
ing the prisoner"
Lyons leaped to his feet, but the
judges gavel fell with thud. Il will