Evening star., 1924-05-04

bound volumes on the shelves
that lined the walls; a comfortable
chair under a reading light: a work
table on which books, papers, pen
and ink were usually Uttered, and
a more formal desk where, In labo-
rlous longhand and disdaining the
services Of stenographer, the judge
wrought out his opinions There was
= homely honesty about the room; a
clean suggestion of common sense
and fundamental decency; a certain
upr1ghtneSs. Rooms much used do
thus at times reflect the char
acteristics OF those who use them.
The judge was, this evening, at the
desk and writing. He used a stiT
stub pen, and he wrote slowly. form
ing the large characters with care.
forming the pellucid sentences with
equa1 care. He consulted no notes;
1t was his custom to clarity the
issues in any case so thoroughly in
his own thoughts that there could
be no hesitation when the moment
came to set those issues down Half
dozen sheets, already covered with
his large hand. lay at his elbow. His
pen was halfway down another when
@ AAS Ii hHOCh SOuIuCO upon Ills ClCSeQ
door
The judge finished the sentence
upon which he was engaged, then
lifted his eyes and looked across the
room and called:
Come, Mary"
His wife opened the door and
stepped inside. She shut 1t behind
her, and crossed to her husbands
chair, and dropped her hand lightly
on his head He lifted his own hand
TO smooth hers caressingly.
Almost through?' she asked.
he nodded. Another line or two"
~Jim Cotterill is downstairs" she
Sotd him.
The judge seemed family surprised.
~Jtm?" he repeated. And added
Ehsughtfully. half to himself, well,
now"
"EIe says there's no hurry" she e1-
planned Says he just dropped in
for a word or two. Just to say
howdy."
t+TTlat's-neighborly, her husband
commented. Course, I've seen him
overy day, in court. But I haven't
had a chance to talk to him; to ask
him how things are down home"
She nodded, smiling. Another OF
your scruples, Bob?"
'It wouldn't hardly have looked
right" he agreed. The other side
were doubtful, anyway. knowing I'd
been attorney for the Furnace a few
years ago. and knowing Jim and me
were townsmen."
81 know" she assented.
Case is finished, now, though" he
commented. Tell Jim I'll be through
IN fifteen or twenty minutes. You
entertain him, Mary"
She made a gesture of impatience.
'He makes me uncomfortable" she
said. IT never liked him"
The judge smiled. oh, Jim'3 all
tight. He's fat, and he's a little bit
slick. But he means all right, I
reckon. Give him a. cigar and ask
after his folks He'll do the talking
for both of you"
She nodded, moving toward the
door. Yes" she assented. and asked:
''T haven't bothered your
The judge smiled. Lord, honey,
you never bother me-
But when the door had closed be-
hind her. his countenance was family
shadowed Concern showed in his
eyes, dwelt here. He remained for
little time motionless, absorbed in
some thought that distressed him. In
the end, there was a suggestion Of
effort in his movements as ne picked
up his pen and began again his slow
and careful writing. Bethany Iron
Furnace against John Thomas, David
Jones, ct al. His decision.
ha1 hnfrr Later that The
Judge came out Of his study to the
them: H. Jim"
Cotterill, a certain impatience in
rreasingly manifest in his eyes, had
been talking with Mrs. Hosmer. He
answered, and the judge called to
him: Come along up
Mrs. Hosmer followed the attorney
into tho hall and watched him climb
the stairs. A short, bald man with
n countenance that was always good
natured, but never prepossessing. She
saw him grip her husbands hand at
the top, painting little from the
ascent. They turned together toward
the judges study, and she went back
Into the living room.
4 Z = x
"TH1s is neishborly of YOU JIM"
Judge Hosner was saying, as
he closed the study door behind them.
Il didn't figure we ought to get to-
Gether while the case was going on"
be explained.
Both men, meticulous and precise
In their professional utterancea
dropped easily into the moro col
Ioquial idiom OF their daily life.
Fright enough" Judge Hosmer
agreed. Fair enough. But no harm
now. How're tricks, anyhow? Folks
weil?'
yes, well enough. Were when I
left I've been too busy to do much
letter writing since I came up here" :"
''They have sort of kept you hump
ing. haven't they?" the Judge agreed.
"well, that's my job" Cotterill told
him, and the judge assented:
Sure, that's your job"
A little silence fell between these
Two. The judge, tall and lean, with
bushy brows above his wide-set eyes,
studied the fat little man with some
curiosity. Cotterili seemed indisposed
to speak, and the other asked at last,
Family all we'll, Jim?"
well? Sure. Fine"
whats the news, anyway" the
todRe insisted. 81 haven't heard from
the folks lately"
,fhe attorney leaned back in his
chair, somewhat more at ease, and he
smiled. WELL" he said, things go
alona about the same. Folks down
L.7,a a-a ricbt rroud of you Judge"