New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-23

inent members of the Women's Club,
pretty good seats for prominent mem
cers and seats for all members. The
OTTER two members of the force were
OIL duty and could not be reached ir
tlme Tor the emergency.
AT the very outset the trial looked
IKE failure. for Harry's counsel de-
clared that he would not Permit the
husband OF any member of the Won
ems Club to sit upon the jury. He
changed his mind, however, when a
poll of the audience revealed the fact
That, although almost as many men as
women we're present, there we're not
twelve in the room who we're not mar
rled to the Women's Club through one
of it's members.
Twelve Victims Look Worried
The twelve husbands obviously were
worried as soon as they had taken their
seats in the jury box 1t was evident
that they foresaw trouble, and lots Of
it. The case itself took only few
minutes, the only witnesses being the
beautiful Irene and Harry, nov entire
" shorn of his assurance and entirel,
i'll at ease.
When both had been heard it was ap-
parent that Irene had been Rugged and
kissed and that Harry's only excuse
was that she was pretty, With this
we'll in mind, the jury retired at mid
night. In spite Of the simplicity of the
case, the jury stayed and stayed 1t
seemed to be of the retiring sort.
1t was a vastly worri ed Jury. AL
though the case was simple in itself,
every juror saw the complexities in
volved in it so far as he himself was
concerned. Each sympathized with the
unfortunate grocer's boy and each fore
saw the complications that would re-
suit at the breakfast table or before
If he expressed that sympathy in his
vote in the jury room.
The jurors sought a private confer
ence with the court and attorneys for
both sides i'll order to explain their
| wishes and their dilemma. 1t was de-
MED. At 1920 yesterday morning they
sent the following message to Justice
of the Peace Mercer:
"Dear Judge: We will find the de-
PENDANT guilty if you will let him GO"
This Diplomatic method of approach
was appreciated by the court and he
was for striking a bargain then and
there, but the lawyers wouldn't let
him, and said that the jurors should
have made the request publicly.
Judges Mercy Not Strained
At 1:15 a. m. the jurors emerged
from their retreat and ANNOUNCED that
they found Harry guilty "but with
strong recommendation for clemency."
Justice of the Peace Mercer, feeling
pretty clement and very sleepy, announ-
ced that the only thing for him to do
under the circumstances was to sus
pend sentenc and did it.
Members of the Women's Club still
think that the audacious grocer's boy
should have been punished as an ex
ample to grocer's boys the world over
and as encouragement to pretty maids
to tell when they are kissed.
"Of course the club has taken no
part in the case officially" said Mrs.
F. M. Bethel, president of it. "Our
members were very much interested in
the case, however, and I, for one, do
not approve Of Judge MERGERS sentence.
Moreover, I believe l voice the senti-
ments of other members of the club,
though I have no authority to speak
for the club in this matter.
81 am not prepared to say that we
will takessteps against Judge Mercer.
He issan old man and we are all very
fond of him. But l thing he made
mistake, a great mistake"
Mrs. Buchard butcher, second vice
president of the club, seconded the
presidents remarks.