Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1906 — THE JUROR FROM BAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE JUROR FROM BAY

By M. J. Phillips.

“Indictment against Samuel J. Hawkins.” read the indictment clerk in his singsong voice. “This information charges him with perjury in certifying to the presence in prison of fictitious persons and receiving fees from the county therefor to the amount of |l,289.70, said Samuel J. Hawkins being at that time and at the present time the sheriff of Bainbridge county. The indictment is before you." The grand Jury, first of its kind for years, had been in session in Bainbridge county for forty-two days, and its labors had resulted in the voting of seventeen Indictments. The name of Sheriff Hawkins was last on the list to be considered. There’ was a motley crowd on the sitairway of the courthouse waiting to bear the result of the Jury’s deliberations. deputy sheriff, his hands folded comfortably across his stomach,

■at at the head of the corridor leading to the ground glass door behind which the jury was deliberating. Some of the waiting throng about him were attracted by motives of curiosity only; others, restless and Impatient, were there to gather crumbs of information for friends who feared. Then there were turee or four newspaper men ■with pleasant, cynical faces and keen There was silence Inside the courtroom after the indictment clerk had Knlshed his reading. Juror Vanderroeck was first to speak. ‘‘l wouM like [to hear from Mr. Scarborough on this (matter." *The prosecutor smiled as he twisted Ha brown mustache. “You can’t shift any responsibility, gentlemen," he replied. “The law does not allow me to dictate as to who shall be Indicted. It's up to you.” ‘‘Boys, I wish you’d hear me on this matter.” The speaker was John Kerns of Bay township, a silent, kindly man, who during the tedious weeks of the inquisition had thought much nnd said little. There was a rustle of Interest as be rose, a tall, lanky figure in rusty black. His spare, lined face was emooth shaven, nnd he had the stoop of hard work in his powerful shoulders. John Kerns was only thirty years old, but he had never laseii regarded as young. His intimates thought of him, though, with affectionate respect that had nothing of .contempt in it as "Old John.” “I don't believe that we’d better indict Sam Hawkins.” he said. “I know him as if he was my own brother, for we were raised on neighboring farms. He ain’t bad; he's only weak. Sam would never have got into trouble if you'd left him on the farm. “Oh. I know all about it. and so does every man on this jury! Our party agreed t< trade sheriff for register of deeds, and so you fellows put up a poor candidate so Jim Connors eould ■win In a walk. But Ham didn't know ha was to l>e a sacrifice. He went in to win, and be did win! He had to mortgage bls farm to do It, nnd after be had been in awhile be found out be wasn't wanted ami that he’d have to walk the plank at the end of one term. AH the bosses want Jim Conners, and next fall he’ll be elected. The same accident don't happen twice. Ain't that so?” Nobody answered, though several had shifted uneasily during his talk. “Well,” continued the speaker, "Sam didn’t feel very gotxl when he found out what he’s up against. The mort gage was still on his farm, and he had to get it off this term or not at all. They say he’s made fictitious entries to collect fees ami board bills from the county. You don’t know what you'd done or I'd done under the same circumstances. Now, let's all shoulder a little of Sam’s responsibility nnd let him pay that money back. The county won’t be out anything, and to prosecute Sam would would break hearts. I’m going to vote against a true bill." They balloted in alienee. “None for a true bill; twenty-three against," said ♦be clerk, a little emotion even showing in the slngMong voice which had as a mere matter of routine blasted so many that afternoon. “No further Indictments."

"This jury stands adjourned sine die,” called the foreman. Laughing and talking like schoolboys, now that the long strain had been removed, the Jurors filed out of the room. Molly Dwyer was baking bread in the kitchen of her home, three miles from the county seat, and a pretty picture she made, her cheeks glowing from the ardent kiss of the fire, while her eyes rivaled the coals In brightness. The snow was falling steadily. Suddenly Molly stopped to listen. On the crisp air came the faint chime of sleighbells. The sound grew louder moment by moment. Molly went to the window to watch. Around the turn of the road swept a cutter drawn by a fine team of trotters. A man in a big fur coat was driving. It was Sam Hawkins,,the sheriff, and the light faded from Molly’s eyes as she watched the team sweep gracefully into her father’s driveway and never stop until it had brought up by the side porch of the house. The sheriff sprang from the sleigh, and, without waiting even to blanket the horses, rushed up the steps and into the house. With the assurance of the accepted lover he nodded and smiled genially to Molly’s mother in the sitting room, but did not pause. Instead he rushed Into the kitchen and with a cry of delight swept Molly into bls arms. He klssefl her eagerly on face and lips and hair. Although she submitted patiently to the caresses the girl did not respond to them, and a half unconscious sigh of relief escaped her when the young man finally released her and stood back beaming, to look at her. “Hurray, Molly I” he cried. "The grand Jury has adjourned and I’m not indicted. ’ “Was there any danger, Sam?” she asked quietly, although her attitude expressed intentness. In his relief from the strain of self Imposed silence and gnawing anxiety during the six weeks that the Jury had been in session the man was too wrapped up in selfish joy to notice anything amiss. “Was there any danger?" he echoed. "Well, I should think there was. I was caught with the goods, all right. And who do you think saved me? Old John Kerns. Do you know, Molly,” he babbled on, almost drunk with exhilaration, I used to fancy Old John was sweet on you, but I saw my mistake when I heard what he did today.” The girl was white about the lips, but her voice was low, almost gentle. “Then you did steal from the county, as they said you did?” Sam looked up quickly, for he had noted the danger signal. "Oh, no, Molly: steal is hardly the word, but”— “Did you steal from the county?” His face fell suddenly. “You won’t let me explain”— lie began again. “Did you?” “I suppose some of them call it stealing. What of it? I’m going to pay It back.” Then rage at the men responsible for this complication overcame him. “It serves them right. They put me up to knock me down, and they’ll have to watch things the balance of my term: that’s all. But what of it?” he asked. “What of it?” Her scorn and loathing seemed to crush him. “What of it? This much: No Dwyer ever married a thief, and I’m not going to lie the first one. Here’s your ring” mechanically he took the extended bauble and slipped it in his pocket—“but before you go 1 want to tell you wt»y John Kerns got you off—because he thought I loved you and that It would break my heart if you were indicted; that's why. And, thank God, I’ve found out before it’s too late that .John Kerns cnres that much for me, because”—and she raised her head proudly —“I care for him Just as much." Then she went crimson, for Kerns stood In the doorway. As John advanced Into the room with face alight the sheriff slipped out without a wool. The chime, of his sleighbells grew fainter and fainter, to die out finally in the distance. And all was well.

“YOU WON’T LET ME EXPLAIN’’— HE BEGAN AGAIN.