Criminals -- Fiction; Social problems -- Fiction; United States -- Social conditions -- 1865-1918 -- Fiction
The Reverend Doctor Hole, who had his degree from a small college in
Dakota, had taken lessons of an elocutionist, and advertised the
sensational sermons in which he preached against those vices the
refinements and wealth of his own congregation did not tempt them to
commit, spoke on "Crime"; even Modderwell referred to it with
complacency.
In all of these expressions, of course, Eades was flattered, and this
produced in him a sensation of the greatest comfort and justification.
He felt repaid for all he had suffered in trying the case. But Marriott
felt that an injustice had been done, and, such is the quality of
injustice, that one suspicion of it may tincture every thought until the
complexion of the world is changed and everything appears unjust. As
Marriott read these editorials, the reports of these sermons, and the
conclusions of a heartless science that had thumped Archie as if he were
but a piece of rock for the geologist’s hammer, he was filled with
anger, and resolved that Archie should not be put to death until he had
had the advantage of every technicality of the law. He determined to
carry the case up at his own expense. Though he could not afford to do
this, and was staggered when he ran over in his mind the cost of the
transcript of evidence, the transcript of the record, the printing of
the briefs, the railroad and hotel bills, and all that,--he felt it
would be a satisfaction to see one poor man, at least, receive in the
courts all that a rich man may demand.
Within the three days provided by law, Marriott filed his motion for a
new trial and then he was content to wait, and let the proceedings drag
along. But Eades insisted on an immediate hearing.
When Glassford had announced his decision denying a new trial, he
hesitated a moment and then, with an effect of gathering himself for an
ordeal, he dropped his judicial manner, called Eades and Marriott to the
bench, leaned over informally, whispered with them, and finally, as if
justifying a decision he had just communicated to them, observed:
"We might as well do it now and have it over with."
Then he sent the sheriff for Archie, and the bailiff for a calendar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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