Chapter 31 #2
The judge opened his file and arranged the papers within to his satisfaction, then lifted his face to regard first Noreen and then the gallery. He had a very sober bearing, but he didn’t strike her as harsh or rigid, just . . . serious.
“The matter before the court today pertains to events transpiring on April 29, 1894, at approximately 7:25 p.m. when the accused entered the Salt Fork Saloon and destroyed numerous bottles of expensive spirits and cracked one mirror for an estimated total of one hundred fifty-two dollars and seventy-five cents in damages.”
At least he’d left out the details about her running up and down the bar, swinging her broom handle like a stickball bat. The man had at least a little kindness in him.
“I have before me witness statements verifying these happenings, an investigation report by the arresting officer, and a charge of malicious mischief for damaging property belonging to Mr. Milton Taggert of Albany, Texas.”
Judge Lynch looked up from his papers and made eye contact with Noreen. “Miss O’Sullivan, how do you plead?”
Pushing back her chair, she rose to her feet as James had coached her and faced the judge. “Guilty, your honor.”
A murmur broke out in the gallery, but one glare from the judge brought silence. Turning back to her, he nodded, rather like a grandfather encouraging one of his grandchildren. “Before I pronounce your sentence, would you care to address the court?”
“Yes, your honor.” She took a deep breath, wishing she could seek out James or one of her friends for courage.
Instead, she imagined the Lord coming beside her and squeezing her hand.
“I deeply regret my actions last Sunday. Earlier that evening, a young girl who is quite dear to me was found severely beaten and in need of medical attention. She’d been beaten by a man too drunk to recognize the severity of his actions.
When I learned that he would not be held accountable because he was a family member and his victims refused to press charges, I became overwrought and attacked the only other thing I could think to blame—the liquor.
My situation does not excuse my actions.
What I did was wrong, no matter my state of mind at the time.
I offer the explanation only to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the incident.
This destructive behavior was completely out of character for me, and I assure you it will not happen again. ”
“Thank you, Miss O’Sullivan. You may be seated.” Judge Lynch’s gaze moved beyond Noreen to the gallery behind. “Mr. Taggert, do you wish to address the court?”
Noreen twisted in her seat and saw the saloon owner rise to his feet.
“I do.” He pointed a finger at Noreen, his eyes narrow and jaw tight.
“This woman has been trying to ruin me for months. She harasses customers outside my door on a regular basis, organizes parades to protest the legal sale of alcohol, and lays the responsibility for all of society’s ills on my doorstep.
She might claim to have been overwrought when she vandalized my saloon, but I say she’s been building up to this attack for months.
It was only a matter of time before she became violent. ”
Noreen shook her head, her heart racing. That wasn’t true. But what if the judge believed him, believed that she was a danger to the town?
Judge Lynch raised an eyebrow. “Has Miss O’Sullivan ever threatened you or your establishment with violence prior to this incident, Mr. Taggert?”
“Not directly,” Taggert hedged. “But she’s threatened my ability to run my business the way I see fit.”
“By exercising her First Amendment rights.”
Taggert had no response to that, and Noreen’s pulse slowed just a tad.
“I also have it on good authority that she wrote you a letter of apology. Did you receive such a letter?”
“Well, yes, but I’m sure it was . . . some sort of . . . ploy.”
“Miss O’Sullivan has shown remorse for her actions and taken steps to atone. She has no prior arrests, and according to these character references . . .” He held up a stack of papers. “She is a model employee, a regular church attendee, and someone who wishes to better her community.”
People had written character references for her? She peeked at James from the corner of her eye. Had he arranged that?
Judge Lynch motioned to her. “Miss O’Sullivan, please rise.”
She stood.
“Miss Noreen O’Sullivan. You are hereby released on your own recognizance.
You are sentenced to make restitution to Mr. Milton Taggert in the amount of one hundred fifty-two dollars and seventy-five cents.
The amount may be paid in a lump sum or in payments of ten dollars a month over the course of the next fifteen months.
The first payment is due on June 1, 1894.
Should you fall delinquent, you will be found in contempt of court and will face jail time. ”
Before she could ask any questions, he banged his gavel and exited the courtroom.
Ten dollars a month? She barely made fifteen dollars a month at the hotel. How would she live?
A bigger question filled her mind as she heard Milton Taggert behind her, complaining about the ruling. How would she live with the knowledge that two-thirds of her salary would be going to purchase the very thing she’d dedicated her life to eradicating?