so glad for you. Wait till your father hears this. He’ll be surprised.”
Next morning Addie was sitting by the window of the receptionist’s area when Mrs. Deacon arrived for work.
“Good morning, Addie,” she said pleasantly. “I’m guessing the judge is already here with the other officials. He will call for you as soon as he finishes.” Ten minutes later, he came from the courtroom.
“Good morning, Mrs. Deacon, and good morning to you, Addie,” he said smiling, continuing with, “Yesterday afternoon, we had a meeting with the court members. It was agreed since we desperately need a recording secretary and no one else has applied for the job,” he paused, “and Miss Bootson gave a glowing report of your abilities, and since you will be legally eligible to work in two weeks, we are going to make an exception. You have the job. Would you be able to start today? We have a full docket.”
“I would be glad to,” Addie answered.
She had been working for nearly three years with no one questioning her qualifications. Five days a week, she faithfully recorded the proceedings of the town court. Judge Simpson frequently commented, “As tedious as the job was, Addie had made no mistakes.”
One chilly December morning during a trial for the theft of a snow shovel, the prosecutor was grilling a young woman concerning her whereabouts at the time the theft was supposed to have occurred. “Just where were you at five o’ clock in the afternoon on the twenty-third,” he asked.
“I was at my brother’s house helping his wife make a quilt,” the young woman answered.
“Then how is it Mrs. Curtiss saw you remove the snow shovel from her back porch at this same time?” asked the prosecutor.
“I don’t know, maybe it was someone who looks like me,” was her reply.
“Mrs. Curtiss has positively identified the thief as you,” he said as he turned toward the defense attorney. It appears this woman is lying. I believe you should advise her to plead guilty of removing Mrs. Curtiss’s shovel from her residence without her permission.”
“I did not take her shovel,” the woman replied, her voice rising and her face flushed with anger. “Look at her glasses. They must be an inch thick,” her voice continuing to rise, adding, “she couldn’t distinguish me from a bear.”
“Your honor,” the defense attorney said rising as he approached the bench, “my client has a valid point. The court needs to know when Mrs. Curtiss last had a valid eye exam before her testimony be entered into the record.”
“Mrs. Curtiss, how long has it been since you had your glasses checked?” asked the judge.
“Why just a couple of weeks ago,” she answered. “You can check with Dr. Raymond.”
“And were your glasses adjusted at that visit?”
“No, sir,” was her reply, “Dr. Raymond said they didn’t need adjusting.”
“This court is temporarily adjourned till we get a statement from Dr. Raymond,” said the judge as he banged the wooden gavel on his desk. “Court will resume in two hours.”
Court resumed on schedule as the bailiff called the session to order. Addie had taken her place just as the judge began to speak. “Bailiff, do you have Dr. Raymond’s statement regarding Mrs. Curtiss’ recent visit?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” he said handing him a piece of paper.” The judge quickly read the contents. Looking up, he spoke, “Will the council approach the bench?” After a moment of discussion, he said, “Will the defendant please stand?” As she stood, he continued with, “Dr. Raymond says Mrs. Curtiss’s glasses are just fine. Therefore I find you guilty of taking Mrs. Curtiss’s shovel and fine you fifteen doll a r r r” … Before he finished the word, the woman leaped from her seat, dashed across the floor, jumped onto the short banister surrounding the platform where the judge sat, and was about to propel herself directly onto him.
At precisely the same time, Addie who was busy taking dictation caught the movement of the defendant. Before anyone could react, she left her seat, reaching out her right arm and catching the sweater of the woman just as she stood on the banister, pulling her back preventing her from reaching the judge. By that time the bailiff reached the defendant, both he and Addie restrained her. Regaining his composure, the judge stammered, “And this will cost you thirty days in jail.”
Both attorneys and the judge were amazed at Addie’s strength and quick reaction. Later, in his office he thanked her for the quick assessment of the situation. “You should be a court deputy,” he said to her. “It’s not often we have a case concerning a woman, but today is an example why we should have a woman deputy. If the bailiff had ripped off some of the women’s clothing trying to restrain her, we could have a lawsuit over it. I will recommend to the town council to make it official to have a woman deputy in the courtroom at all times. If they agree, would you take the job?” the judge questioned. Addie thought for a moment before replying, “Yes, sir Your Honor.” A couple of months went by before Addie’s replacement was found, then she was sworn in. Three months later, the female court deputy experienced an event that changed her life forever.
Chapter 6
Cousin in Court
On a crisp spring morning, the town court opened court with a case of an expensive horse being shot. Addie, now the court deputy took her position, suddenly recognized the defendant as her distant cousin, Will.
“The court will now come to order.” Turning toward the bailiff, he said, “The court is ready to hear the first case. Do we need to convene a jury?”
“Not at this time, Your Honor. This case is W. F. Galgit versus William Attle,”2 replied the bailiff.
“What is the charge?” asked Judge Simpson.
“Mr. Galgit accuses Mr. Attle of shooting his prized and valuable horse on June 2.”
“Mr. Galgit, stand and approach the bench.” He complied. “Now, explain to the court your accusation against Mr. Attle.
“Will, er, I mean Mr. Attle was seen out hunting woodchucks the day my horse was shot. Apparently he mistook my horse for a woodchuck,” Mr. Hillard said.
“What evidence do you have to support your claim,” asked the judge.
“Just what my neighbor, Josh Miller, told me. He had seen Will hunting earlier in the day up around the wooded area adjoining my pasture, and he heard the shot.”
“How much time between the sighting of Mr. Attle and the shot?” inquired Judge Simpson.
“Josh told me he saw Will hunting near the woods about noon, but it was later in the day when he heard the shot. I guess he assumed Will was still out there hunting,” he replied.
“That’s a good deal of time to assume anything,” said the judge. Have a seat. “Mr. Attle, will you approach the bench?” Will complied. “Mr. Attle, explain to the court your whereabouts on the day in question from noon till dark.”
“As Mr. Galgit said, I was out hunting woodchuck at noon. They’re pretty good eating. But I didn’t have
