Journal #8

            We had quite the scare when Atticus was standing watch at the town jail. A group of men drove up in cars and confronted Atticus. They demanded that Atticus open the door to the jail but Atticus refused. Sensing that Atticus was in danger, I ran out with Jem and Dill from where we were previously hiding to come to Atticus’s aid. Atticus told us to go home but Jem wouldn’t budge. I recognised Mr. Cunningham in the crowd and I asked him how he was and to say Hey to his son for me. Hearing my voice and knowing that I was his son’s friend must have made him have a change of heart because he told all the men to go away and the men reluctantly left. I felt proud that I was able to help Atticus.

            The trial started several days later and people from all over the county showed up. Jem, Dill and I waited until most people were seated so we could sneak into the courtroom without Atticus noticing. We came to late however so the only place left was the balcony where the black people had to sit. This turned out to be very good because we could see the entire courtroom from the balcony. We watched the trial and with each statement Atticus’s defense seemed stronger and stronger. There was almost no physical evidence against the black man Tom Robinson and much more evidence to support that Bob Ewell had beat his daughter. Nevertheless, the case continued for many long hours. I was sure that Atticus would win the trial since Tom Robinson was clearly innocent but still the case went on. I listened on the balcony to what Mr. Ewell had to say and he seemed like the most unpleasant of characters. When it was finally time for Tom Robinson to speak, his story seemed much more truthful than that of the Ewells. To my disbelief, Mr. Gilmer accused Tom Robinson of lying about everything. Atticus discovered that we were in the courtroom so he sent us home before the verdict was read. We found out later that Tom had been called guilty and Jem, Dill and I were devastated.