Tutt and Mr. Tutt by Arthur Cheney Train
page 20 of 264 (07%)
page 20 of 264 (07%)
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Italians. Mr. Tutt examined him for bias and every known form of
incompetency, but in vain--then challenged peremptorily. Thirty challenges! He looked on Tutt with slightly raised eyebrows. "Patrick Henry Walsh--to the witness chair, please, Mr. Walsh!" called the clerk, drawing another slip from the box. Mr. Walsh rose and came forward heavily, while Tutt & Tutt trembled. He was the one man they were afraid of--an old-timer celebrated as a bulwark of the prosecution, who could always be safely counted upon to uphold the arms of the law, who regarded with reverence all officials connected with the administration of justice, and from whose composition all human emotions had been carefully excluded by the Creator. He was a square-jawed, severe, heavily built person, with a long relentless upper lip, cheeks ruddy from the open air; engaged in the contracting business; and he had a brogue that would have charmed a mavis off a tree. Mr. Tutt looked hopelessly at Tutt. Babson and O'Brien had won. Once more Mr. Tutt struggled against his fate. Was Mr. Walsh sure he had no prejudices against Italians or foreigners generally? Quite. Did he know anyone connected with the case? No. Had he any objection to the infliction of capital punishment? None whatever. The defense had exhausted all its challenges. Mr. Tutt turned to the prospective foreman with an endearing smile. "Mr. Walsh," said he in caressing tones, "you are precisely the type of man in whom I feel the utmost confidence in submitting the fate of my client. I believe that you will make an ideal foreman I hardly need to |
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