Tom Ryland's sister drew up the resolutions, and they
were very beautiful.
* * * * *
"It was a sultry afternoon, and the little jury-room was suffocating.
The fight for a life which had raged out in the gloomy court-room for
two weeks or more was now transferred to the ten by twelve cubby-hole
where we had been cooped up since noon. The evidence against the
prisoner was overwhelming, but some of the jurors still wavered as to
their clear duty. Eight of us were for murder in the first degree; the
others were in the same frame of mind, I am sure, but tantalizingly slow
about saying so. It looked like an all-night struggle.
"Thrice since midday had Sheriff Watkins popped in his red head and
asked if we had agreed upon a verdict, and as often had he angrily
withdrawn. Watkins had a profound contempt for juries in general, and
our jury in particular. According to the sheriff, the case of
Commonwealth against Hardy was decided, and decided fully, when
Dillingham finished his speech. Dillingham was the prosecuting attorney,
and Watkins worshipped him down to the ground. Watkins was therefore
clearly prejudiced, but in this instance his views were undeniably
sound.
"The court, despairing and thirsty, had adjourned to meet at seven
o'clock. In the jury-room all arguments for and against the stand taken
by the unshaken eight seemed exhausted.
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