Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 197, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1912 — HAPPENING IN THE CITIES. Why Only Eleven Jurors Determined a Suit. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAPPENING IN TH E CITIES.

Why Only Eleven Jurors Determined a Suit.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Eleven jurors sat and determined a damage suit the other day in the third division of the city court, notwithstanding the fact that in accordance with the custom of time immemorial, 12 men good and true had been selected. The case at bar was a damage suit against ohe of the large corporations of the district, and the attorneys for the plaintiff had demanded a struck Jury. / The Jury of 12 was selected and empaneled. Previous to going into the case Judge Walker declared a recess of five minutes to give the attorneys an opportunity to prepare certain papers. As the judge stepped from the rostrum he was approached by a youthful looking juror, with a decidedly troubled look on his countenance, who asked to be excused from serving on the jury Just selected. “What is the matter,” queried his honor; are you sick?” “Well, not exactly, Judge, but I will toe if I have to serve on that Jury."

“What objection have you to the Jury?” “None at all, judge, but I declare it is almost impossible for me to serve.” “Ynn have been regularly drawn and regularly empaneled and I can’t possibly excuse you, unless you show some good and sufficient reason.” The young man was plainly embarrassed ; he stood on one foot, then on the other, then finally said: “Judge, it’s like this, I have a most important engagement tomorrow morning and in the event that the jury got tied up in the case about to be tried I would be in an awful fix ” “What kind of an engagement?” The young fellow blushed like a school girl and said: *‘l am to be married in the morning.” Judge Walker gave a sympathetic smile, and calling the opposing counsel stated the young man’s predict ment and plea. The learned attorney promptly decided in favor of Cupid and agreed to dispense with the services of the near-benedict and to try the case with the remaining 11 jurors. The cloud lifted from the young man’s brow, he thanked the gentlemen for their kindness and consideration, and after receiving the congratulations of the court, the attorneys and bis fellow Jurors, he left the courtroom with a happy smile on his now beaming countenance.