Smyrna times., 1878-07-31
Accidentally Innocent.

No lawyer likes going into court with
thoroughly bad case, yet how can he help |
il sometimes:
sbould have more patience with the /
question. % you ever think it right 10 /
Lind man whom you believe TO be |
liz > were i less frequently put by |
5.a9nia who spend SIX days of the week I
teeEinc 10 get the upper hand of their /
na;sbbors. auj the seventh in trying to |
ci-sr,nyei.; their Maker. To the honest |
;Do1jrer. ! commend the answer Dr.. John |
son once gave 70 Boswell, Sir, the lawyer
Is moi the Judge.
Was it my place. when George Gilbert's
lille sorrow-worn wife came, with tears
cl.sieuing in her eyes, 10 beseech me 10 do
Tba, | could for her imprisoned husband,
virtually 10 turn my back, and leave her
tired. struggling hear; TO break or not as it
might? ! was neither priest nor q Levite
10 fad ready excuse for passing by on the
other SIDE Yet what could do? George
Gilbert had been sent on collecting tour
ani had cambled away money received for
his employers. 1t was a case Of embezZle-
meat ana the penalty was term OF years
in the States Prison.
u an sure he never meant TO be dis
honest, pleaded the loyal little woman;
ne was tempted by crafty and designing
man, bat instead OF running away, as
others would have done, Re came back and
confessed his fault, offering 10 let his whole
salary 20 towards making up the lost money
till every cent was paid. Mr.. Meek, the
junior partner was willing 10 be merciful, but
NJ Nang the head Of the house, who re
turned Just then after years absence, in
sisted that the law should take It's course.
gave her what poor consolation / could,
ior lawyers, ike doctors. must keep their
patients courage up al times.
IN the first place. III see Messrs.
Nancle Il Meek. l said. Mr.. Mangle
nay be brought TO hear reason, after all
Il he can only be made 10 see his interest
init"
Tie Iale despondent face cheered up a
l;.le. Ny words seemed 10 have inspired
a sort Of underlined hope which l was far
from feeling myself.
Nr Nangle received me with stony
PoG,enesS.
Young man, MS manner said, don't
waste time in appeals TO sentiment; you
won't # you Il only just look at me-"
took the hint and came at once to busi
ness. repeated Gilbert's offer, and put it a
strongly as possible that more was to b
gained by leniency than harshness-all o
which Mr.. Mangle listened 10 with a con
scientious scowl.
-. / cannot be a party TO compounding
felony he answered with a solemn intc
nation.
Nor have I asked you," replied, nc
al.ttle nettled. have merely mentione
plan of paying back your own, leaving
to your generosity TO press or not TO pre-:
this prosecution.
"Oa. it's ali the same," was the col
temrauous reioinder,-"anybody but
LAWYER, with his head full of quibs an
outlets. could see that. Besides there
something rather cool in the proposal /
retain YOUR friend in our employ, undo
pretense Of working out the money he hi
stolen, with the opportunity of filchin
twsce as much in the meantime.
felt my temper rising, and not carin
10 imperil my client interests by an ou
right quarrel. took hasty leave.
Had ! been in the prisoners place Q
the morning fixed for the trial, l coul
hardly have ascended the court house steI
with more reluctance than l did. An
when entered the court room, and foun
Gilbert and his wife already there, an
noted the hopeful look with which Il
latter greeted my coming, my heart sic
ened a. the thought Of the bitter disa
pointment coming.
The People vs.. GilbertI' called o1
the judge, after disposing Of some form
matters
jury was Immediately lmpanelled, ar
the case opened by the District Attorney.
Mr.. Meek was the first witness. ii
nervous, hesitating manner IN which
gave his evidence would have great
damaged its effect, had it not evident
ARISEN from a disposition to do the prison
as little hurt as possible. But no softeni
could break the terrible force of the fax
he was compelled to relate.
In his partner absence he had employ
george Gilbert as clerk had found h
competent and trustworthy; had sent b
on trip 10 make collections; on his retu
he had acknowledged that, after receivi
considerable sum, he was induced b.
respeetable-looking gentleman, with wht
be had casually fallen in, TO join a soc
game Of cards; at first they played
amusement then for money, and af
losing all his own, in the hope Of retri
ing bis loss, with the fatal infatuat
which attends the first infection OF q
dreadful vice whose end Is swift destr
ton, he had hazarded and lost the
dollar Of the money he had in trust for
employers.
1 Mr.. Meek's voice faltered as he clio
his narrative. He was going to volunt
something about the prisoners good cl
aeter, when disapproVing glancefrom
Aangle brought him to a halt.
just then the prisoner CHANGED TO I
ms head, and catching a glimpse of
senior partner, who had just entered {
was standing among the crowd, he star
quickly, then whispered in my ear:
Turn aside your face" | whispe