第85章

THE JURY COMES IN

Mrs.Flitcroft, at breakfast on the following morning, continued a disquisition which had ceased, the previous night, only because of a provoking human incapacity to exist without sleep.Her theme was one which had exclusively occupied her since the passing of Eskew, and, her rheumatism having improved so that she could leave her chair, she had become a sort of walking serial; Norbert and his grandfather being well assured that, whenever they left the house, the same story was to be continued upon their reappearance.The Tocsin had been her great comfort: she was but one helpless woman against two strong men; therefore she sorely needed assistance in her attack upon them, and the invaluable newspaper gave it in generous measure.

"Yes, young man," she said, as she lifted her first spoonful of oatmeal, "you BETTER read the Tocsin!""I AM reading it," responded Norbert, who was almost concealed by the paper.

"And your grandfather better read it!" she continued, severely.

"I already have," said the Colonel, promptly.

"Have you?"

"No, but you can be sure I will!" The good lady gave the effect of tossing her head."And you better take what it says to heart, you and some others.It's a wonder to me that you and Buckalew and old Peter don't go and hold that Happy Fear's hand durin' the trial! And as for Joe Louden, his step-mother's own sister, Jane, says to me only yesterday afternoon, `Why, law!

Mrs.Flitcroft,' she says, `it's a wonder to me,'

she says, `that your husband and those two other old fools don't lay down in the gutter and let that Joe Louden walk over 'em.' ""Did Jane Quimby say `those two other old fools'?" inquired the Colonel, in a manner which indicated that he might see Mr.Quimby in regard to the slander.

"I can't say as I remember just precisely her exact words," admitted Mrs.Flitcroft, "but that was the sense of 'em! You've made yourselves the laughin'-stock of the whole town!""Oh, we have?""And I'd like to know"--her voice became shrill and goading--"I'd like to know what Judge Pike thinks of you and Norbert! I should think you'd be ashamed to have him pass you in the street.""I've quit speaking to him," said Norbert, coldly, "ever since I heard he owned Beaver Beach.""That story ain't proved yet!" returned his grandmother, with much irascibility.

"Well, it will be; but that's not all." Norbert wagged his head."You may be a little surprised within the next few days.""I've been surprised for the PAST few!" she replied, with a bitterness which overrode her satisfaction in the effectiveness of the retort.

"Surprised! I'd like to know who wouldn't be surprised when half the town acts like it's gone crazy.

People PRAISIN' that fellow, that nobody in their sober minds and senses never in their lives had a good word for before! Why, there was more talk yesterday about his doin's at the Court-house--you'd of thought he was Phil Sheridan! It's `Joe Louden' here and `Joe Louden' there, and `Joe Louden' this and `Joe Louden' that, till I'm sick of the name!""Then why don't you quit saying it?" asked the Colonel, reasonably.

"Because it'd OUGHT to be said!" she exclaimed, with great heat."Because he'd ought to be held up to the community to be despised.You let me have that paper a minute," she pursued, vehemently;"you just let me have the Tocsin and I'll read you out some things about him that 'll show him in his true light!""All right," said Norbert, suddenly handing her the paper."Go ahead."And after the exchange of a single glance the two gentlemen composed themselves to listen.

"Ha!" exclaimed Mrs.Flitcroft."Here it is in head-lines on the first page.`Defence Scores Again and Again.Ridiculous Behavior of a Would-Be Mob.Louden's--"' She paused, removed her spectacles, examined them dubiously, restored them to place, and continued: "`Louden's Masterly Conduct and Well-Deserved--' " she paused again, incredulous--"`Well-Deserved Triumph--' ""Go on," said the Colonel, softly.

"Indeed I will!" the old lady replied."Do you think I don't know sarcasm when I see it? Ha, ha!" She laughed with great heartiness."Ireckon I WILL go on! You listen and try to LEARNsomething from it!" She resumed the reading:

"`It is generally admitted that after yesterday's sitting of the court, the prosecution in the Fear-Cory murder trial has not a leg to stand on.Louden's fight for his client has been, it must be confessed, of a most splendid and talented order, and the bottom has fallen out of the case for the State, while a verdict of Not Guilty, it is now conceded, is the general wish of those who have attended and followed the trial.But the most interesting event of the day took place after the session, when some miscreants undertook to mob the attorney for the defence in the Court-house yard.He met the attack with a coolness and nerve which have won him a popularity that--' " Mrs.Flitcroft again faltered.

"Go on," repeated the Colonel."There's a great deal more.""Look at the editorials," suggested Norbert.

"There's one on the same subject."

Mrs.Flitcroft, her theory of the Tocsin's sarcasm somewhat shaken, turned the page."We Confess a Mistake" was the rubric above the leader, and she uttered a cry of triumph, for she thought the mistake was what she had just been reading, and that the editorial would apologize for the incomprehensible journalistic error upon the first page.