Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-06-14
MY FIRST CLIENT.

preme court, IN Oct0Oef. IN tue uoIltl
following, bu. three weeks later, ther,
was term of Oyer and Terminer, a
which l was present, an idle spectator.
The criminal calendar contained IN th'
order here mentioned, the following char
ges-manslaughter, burglary, forgery, ri
ot and several minor offences--assaults
batteries, petit larcenies, and the like
Of course the principal interest attached
to the accusations Of the greatest mag
uitude-the first two but as neither o
these was ready for trial, the curious
spectators were obliged to content them
selves with a forgery.
The People against John Smith,
continued the Judge, reading from the
calendar.
"The People are ready replied the
Distrc; Attorney.
"Is the prisoner in Court"
Then arragn him"
A young man about two-and-twenty
years Of age, Of medium size, slight in
person, with fair complexion, light hair
blue eyes, soft white hands, and styIishly
dressed, rose to his feet, and instantly be.
came tue centre OF observation.
"Have you COUNSEL" inquired the
Court.
81 have not" replied the prisoner
You should have counsel" continued
The Court.
The prisoner made no reply, but seem
ed to be absorbed in meditation. The
truth is, he knew not what to answer,
" You had better select some member
Of the bar to conduct the defence sug-
ges;ed the Judge.
at would avail nothing" replied the
youth, with an air of dependency.
at would insure you fair trial re-
turned the Court.
Il shall expect that at your hands, in
any event. said the prisoner. But ifthe
evidence before the committing magis-
trate is to be reproduced upon this trial,
the ablest counsel in this city could no;
secure my acquittal.
If there be sufficient reason, 1t may
be excluded said the Court.
But there is not replied the youth,
frankly. 1t is every word true
Then you wish TO plead guilty said
the Judge.
oh no, SIR exclaimed the young
man, earnestly. 1t would lessen my
punishment, perhaps, but l would not
stain my soul With a falsehood, if knew
it would insure my liberty. am inno-
cent.
The Judge seemed good deal per-
picked. Perceiving his difficulty the man
uttered a word of explanation There
vas no intent to do wrong
Here was language that indicated a
greater knowledge of law than usually
falls TO the lot Of those who have not
made it their study, Evidently such was
the thought uppermost in the mind Of the
Court at the moment. But he letit pass
without remark. Turning to the Dis
trict Attorney, he inquired: What are
the facts ?
They are few, your honor replied the
prosecutor. THE prisoner passed bank
note in payment of his hotel bill, and an
other in purchase of some goods, receiv-
ing change in both instances, when he had
small money of quite a sufficient amount
TO have covered the expenditures
When arrested, several other bills of the
same sort were found in bis possession.
These bills are all counterfeit
The Judge unused moment and then
said, suddenly, What is your name"
But the prisoner was not TO be sur
prised into discovery of any fact per.
tanning to his past history. / am in
dicted by the name of John Smith, he
replied.
But who or what he was, or where
from, or whittier bound, none had been
able to ascertain. He seemed to be i'm
pressed with the belief that he should
certainly be convicted, and his most ear
nest desire was to conceal his identity.
AN the gentlemen within the bar
said the Court, presently, ARE COUNSEL
iors at law, and you may select from
among them some one to conduct your
defence
The prisoner cast his bright blue eyes
around the bar, letting them rest for a
twinkling on each member, until they
reached a gray-haired old gentleman, fa-
miliarly known as Father Miles, who
years before had been an advocate Of
distinction, and even then was regarded
as the Nestor OF the bar. Here they
fingered for rnomaDt, with look of in
decision.