The story of the Sun, New York, 1833-1918 / by Frank M. O'Brien.

320

THE STORY OF "THE SUN"

" Charles Becker to the bar! "
Once more the door that gives entrance toward the
Tombs as well as to the jury-room was opened. A
deputy sheriff appeared, then Becker, then a second
deputy. One glance was all you needed to see that
Becker had himself under magnificent control. His
iron nerve was not bending. He swung with long
strides around the walls and came to a stand at the
railing. Those who watched him did not see a sign
of agitation. He was breathing slowly-you could see
that from the rise and fall of his powerful chest-and
smiling slightly as he glanced toward his counsel.
He looked for the first time toward the jurors. There
was confidence and hope shining in his eyes. Coolly,
without haste, he studied the face of every man in the
box. Not one of them met his eye. Foreman Blagden
gazed at the floor. Frederick G. Barrett, Sr., juror No.
12, studied the ceiling. The others gazed into space or
turned their glance toward the justice.
There was the most perfect silence in the court-room.
The movements of trolley-cars in Centre Street made a
noise like rolling thunder. A pneumatic riveter at work
on a building close by set up a tremendous din.
And yet such sounds and annoyances were forgotten,
ceased to be of consequence, when Clerk Penny bent
toward the foreman and slowly put the customary question:
" Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon your
verdict? "
Mr. Blagden's reply was barely audible; many in the
room sensed its import, but failed to grasp the actual
words. It was obvious that the foreman, having to
express the will of his associates, was stirred by such
feeling as seldom comes to any man.
" Guilty as charged in the indictment," he breathed
more than spoke.
Becker's right hand was then gripped to the railing.
He held his straw hat in his left hand, which, as his
arm was bent backward and upward, rested against the
small of his back. It is the plain truth that he took the
blow without a quiver. After a second, it may be, he