Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-18
Waiting for Trial to Start

Long before court opened, the baby
was carried in by Mrs. Chapelle, who
took a seat at the end of the first row
of benches.
AS the crowd began to arrive the
baby was center of attraction. The
little fellow, with large brown eyes
smiling about him, sat quietly in his
aunt's arms.
Plea to Bar Child Is Futile
Mr.. Speiser protested as soon as he
entered the courtroom against permit :
ting the baby to remain. Mr.. Scott
and Mr.. Connor as vigorously de-
manded that the baby be permitted to
remain.
John r. X. Scott and William c>,-
nor, Mrs. Rosters attorneys, as Vi IL
ously demanded that the baby be per-
mitted to remain.
There was no audible argument.
though those in the room knew what
this first skirmish portended when they
saw the three attorneys seek Judge Bar
rats side and engage in q heated whis
pering.
Mr.. Speser argued that the baby's
presence in court would make it i'm
measurably more difficult for him to
present the Commonwealth case with
any chance of winning a conviction.
The attorneys for the defense argued
that it was the mothers right to have
the infant by her side, and that there
was no one with whom 1t could be left
at home If Mrs Rosters closest kindred
were to be with her in her hour OF
need.
Judge barratt heard both sides at q.
tentiyely, then ruled that the baby
could remain. The ruling evidently met
with the approval of the crowd, for
there were many mods and smiles when
the attorneys took their places, and Mr.
Scott sent triumphant glance toward
the baby and its custodian.
Mrs. Roster Enters Court
Mrs. Roster entered the courtroom a,
II :01 o'clock. Her coming had beei
awaited with much impatience on the
lart Of the spectators. For half hour
ut least she had been sitting just out
of sight in the small anteroom, com
municating with the courtroom in which
the prisoners await their turn to bt
tried. She sat with motley crowd OF
ether defendants, Of all degrees, races
and colors, there to plead and receive
sentence.
The Roster trial was delayed by the
acceptance of these pleas. One pretty
young woman, a pickpocket who had
pleaded guilty and was up for sentence,
was mistaken for RMS. Roster.
Here she comes said the first OF
those who glimpsed her attractive face.
Here she comes was whispered
through the room in spite Of the orders
Of court officers for quiet. The crowd
craned its necks, but in moment real =
lied a mistake had been made and the
girl was forgotten.
When Mrs. Roster did at last appear
it was quietly. She had been sitting
near the door of the anteroom when
the case was called.
Judge Barratt consulted Levi Hart,
venerable court Crier, and learned from
him that there were no more pleas TO
act on and that all was clear for the
murder trial.
Il wish TO tell the jurors to answer
promptly to their Names said Judge
Barratt. All the jurors were in their
places. Few had been late. as every :
thing all right now" the Judge asked
Cricr Hart.
Yes, your honor"
Very well, then; we will go ahead. "
Ordered to Bar OF Court
Bring Catherine Roster to the bar
Of the court" ordered the cr!er.
"Who?" asked court officer, who
had not caught the name.
Catherine Roster" repeated the
crier.
Mrs. Roster, sitting dejectedly in the
anteroom. heard her name and got up
quickly. John q Brien. court officer in
charge of the anteroom, handed her
over to Walter Baus, court officer IN
charge of the prisoners in the court
room, and the young woman began her
slow progress to her place by her at
torneys.
Here she comes" was whispered
about once more. and this time not In
vain. The women IN the crowded
courtroom arose to get better view.
Mrs. Roster walking beside the court
officer, seemed little and slender and
childlike. She was dressed all In black
She had on the same black silk dress
and the same black Hudson seal coat
that she wore the day she appeared be
fore the Coroner, following the mur-
der Her hat was small and black, ant
she had on black pumps and blacl
silk stockings. with black gloves. A
thin black veil covered her face, bu
did not conceal ii wan haggardness.
Mrs. Roster Looks Older
Nine months in oyamensins Prison