american tragedy

Chapter 146 (2)
Chapter 326 (2)
Because of his loneliness and fear, Clyde, who was drowsy and dizzy, was handcuffed by Kraut, and was escorted by Slack, Sissel and several others.In addition, Oberworth, Mason, Belknap, Jefferson, and all the journalists, art reporters, photographers, and others came in and waited in the same places they had been for weeks.Clyde, who kept blinking, was sitting behind Belknap and Jefferson, not with them.Because he was handcuffed now, and Kraut held the other end of the handcuffs firmly, he had to sit with Kraut.Oberworth sat in his judge's seat, and the other clerks and jury members took their seats.After everyone sat down, the clerk stood up again as soon as he greeted them.The clerk said: "Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed on the verdict?" But none of them looked in Belknap's direction, and Belknap said at once that it was bad.

He whispered to Jefferson, "It's all over. It's against us. I can see it." Lunt announced, "We've reached a consensus. We find the accused guilty of murder." Clay De was completely bewildered, but he tried his best to pretend to be calm and serious, staring almost unblinkingly at the jury in front of him and in the distance.Because, just last night, didn’t Jefferson talk to him in the cell? Jefferson saw that he was very depressed, so he said to him, it doesn’t matter if the judgment is against us, this trial, It will never be fair.Every step is governed by stereotypes and prejudices.Mason's intimidation and sarcasm in front of the jury were so severe that it would never be considered formal and appropriate in any higher court.After the appeal, the request for reexamination will definitely be approved, although who should handle this level, he is not ready to talk about it now.

Now, when Clyde thought of this matter, he began to think about it, thinking that maybe it had nothing to do with it, could it have something to do with it, or could it have something to do with it? But if the review could not be carried out, what would be the consequences of what he just said? Death ! would come to such an end, if it were the final verdict, and, perhaps, it would be.For so long, he has always seen that chair in his mind, so many days and nights, and he can't get that chair out of his mind no matter what.Now the chair was before him again, that hideous, hideous chair, only tighter and larger than before, in the very middle of the gap between him and Oberworth.Now he sees this chair clearly, with thick arms and back, and several straps on the top and sides, God, if no one will rescue him now! Even the Griffiths , and may not be willing to spend any more money now, which is bad! The Court of Appeals mentioned by Jefferson and Belknap may not be willing to help him either.Then the words just announced will be the final verdict.His gums quivered slightly, then he clenched because he noticed instantly that his gums were shaking.And, at this moment, Belknap stood up and questioned the decisions of the jurors one by one.

Meanwhile, Jefferson turned sideways and said, "Don't worry, this isn't the final verdict. We promise to reverse it." But as the jurors said "yes," Clyde just listened intently. Talking, did not hear Jefferson's words.Why are all these people so determined! Didn't even one think that maybe he didn't hit her on purpose, as Mason said? Belknap and Jefferson insisted that he had changed his mind, didn't he? Not even dubious people? He took a look at them all, some small and some big, they were like a bunch of brown puppets with faces and hands like hazel or faded ivory , he thought of his mother.By now, she will hear it too.What will the Griffiths--his uncle and Gilbert--think now, since all these journalists, art reporters, and photographers are gathered here to hear the news? And Sandra! Sandra! She Not a single word was sent.And for so long, he has been testifying publicly, both Belknap and Jefferson, that he had to, that his irresistible, dominating love for her was the real cause of it all! None of them came.Now, of course, she would never send another word to him, the one who wanted to marry him and dedicate everything to him!

At this time, the surrounding crowd was silent, although maybe... maybe they were just for this, and they were all very satisfied.The little devil didn't let him "get away."Although he concocted this set of nonsense about changing his mind, he still couldn't fool these twelve sensible people in this county.I'm stupid! At this moment, Jefferson was sitting in his seat, looking ahead; Belknap's resolute face, full of contempt and challenge, was raising doubts at this time, Mason and Burleigh, New York Cobb and Redmond put on a very serious look on the one hand, but on the other hand they made no secret of their extremely contented expressions.Meanwhile Belknap was continuing to raise his doubts, and asked that the sentencing be postponed until next Friday, that is, a week later, so that he could arrange everything more conveniently.Judge Oberworth, however, replied that he did not think it was necessary unless good reasons were shown.However, the defendant's lawyer has this intention, and he can hear the arguments of both sides tomorrow.If there are good reasons, he can postpone the sentencing, otherwise next Monday.

But even so, Clyde didn't care much about the debate.He was thinking about his mother, and how she would be, how she would feel.He has often sent her letters recently, always insisting that he is not guilty, and hopes that she will not believe anything she reads in the newspaper, and he will definitely be released without charge.He was going to step up to the witness stand and testify for himself.But now... now... oh, now he needed her, so badly.As things stand, almost everyone has abandoned him.He was just so alone, so lonely.He must send her a message at once.He had to.He asked Jefferson for a piece of paper and a pencil, and wrote: "Mrs. Asa Griffiths, Denver 'Hope Star' Church, Colorado. Dear Mother, I am condemned, Clyde." Then he handed the letter to Jefferson and asked him, in a disturbed and weak voice, if he could send it at once. "Soon? Sure, boy," Jefferson replied.Clyde's expression moved him, so he beckoned to a newspaper boy next to him and handed him the paper and the telegram fee.

At the same time, all the entrances and exits were locked.After Sissel and Kraut escorted Clyde out of the side door from which he had been hoping to escape, they opened the lock, and all eyes were fixed on him.Because even at this time, they haven't seen enough of Clyde, they still have to stare at his face to see how he treats the sentence.Due to the strong hostility of the local people to him, Judge Oberworth responded to Slah's request and announced that he would not leave the court for the time being. He would not close all the doors until the news that Clyde had been imprisoned came. Open.The crowd flocked out, but they were all waiting at the gate of the court, wanting to admire Mason when he came out.Of all those involved in the case, Mason is now a true hero.He made Clyde what he deserved and avenged Roberta.

However, it was not him who came out first, but Jefferson and Belknap, and their expressions were not so much depressed as they were serious and challenging, especially Jefferson, who seemed stubborn and contemptuous of everything. Someone shouted: "Ah, after all, you didn't help him pass this level." Immediately after Mason came out, with a thick and bulging coat on his shoulders, and the old top hat was worn very low, Closing his eyes tightly, followed by Burleigh, Height, Newcomb, and others, like bodyguards, he walked as if he had no idea of ​​the purpose of the waiting crowd, or of their congratulations.Isn’t he a victor now? Isn’t he an elected judge! The cheering crowd immediately surrounded him, and the 20 people closest to him either grabbed him and shook his hand, or patted him on the shoulder to express their gratitude. "Support Orville!" "It's true, judge. I swear to God! Orville Mason, the people of the county should thank you!" "Three cheers for Orville Mason!" Clyde was very clear in the cell heard the sound.

The people were condemning Mason and cheering Mason.Among such a large crowd outside, everyone firmly believed that he was absolutely guilty.It was Roberta, it was her letters, it was her determination to force him to marry her, it was her fear of exposure that had dragged him to this point, dragged him to conviction, dragged him away. everything.At this time, he was afraid that Kraut or Sissel or someone else would watch him (even at this time, he would have to report everything he did) and he Not reconciled to showing his current appearance to others.He sat down, picked up a magazine, and pretended to read a book, but in fact he was looking at distant places: his mother, his brothers and sisters, the Griffiths, and everyone he knew.But he couldn't bear these vain fantasies, and finally he took off his clothes and fell on the iron bed.

"Convicted, I'm condemned" That means, everything is irreparable! He threw his face on the pillow, as long as no one can see his face, it is the greatest blessing, let others guess !

(End of this chapter)