Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-09-26
Accidentally innocent.

l siiould lave more patience with tn,
question, "Ho you ever think it right t.
defend man whom you believe to b,
guilty. were il less frequently put by peo
lie who spend six days in the week seek
inf to get the upper hand OF. their neigh
bcrs, and the seventh trying to circumven,
their Maker. To the honest inquirer.
commend the answer of DIR. johnson once
given TO Boswell, "Sir, the lawyer is no,
the judge"
Was it my place, when George Gii0ert's
little care worn wife came with tears glist-
ening in her eyes. to beseech me to do what
could for her imprisoned husband. virt,l-
ally to turn my back. and leave her tired.
troubled heart to break or not as it might
was neither priest or Levite to find a
ready excuse for passing by on the other
side. Yet what could do! George Gil
bert had been sent on collecting tour and
had gambled away the money received for
his employers. 1t was plain case of en-
bezzlement and the penalty was term of
years in state prison.
IL am sure he never meant to be dishon-
est" pleaded the loyal little woman; :. he
was tempted by crafty and designing
man. but instead Of running away, us 9TH
ers would have done, he came back, con-
tessed his fault, offered to let his whole
salary go toward making up the lost money
till every cent was paid. Mr.. Meak. the
junior partner, was willing to be merciful.
but Mr.. Mangle. the head OF the houss,
who returned just then after years alb
fence. insisted that the law should take its
course"
gave her what poor consolation could.
for lawyers, like doctors. must keep their
patients courage up at times.
In the first Mace, Ill see Messrs. Man.
gle & Meak." 1 said. '.Mr. Mangle may
te brought to hear reason, after all-if he |
can only be made to see his interest in it.
The pale and Respondent face cheered
up little. My words seemed to have in
tpired sort of underlined hope that was
far from feeling myself
Mr.. Mangle received me with stony
polteness.
"1Cung man." his manner seemed to
say, "dOn't waste time in appeals to sem
timent; you won't il you just look at
me-
took the hint anG came at once to bust
ness, repeated George Gilbert's offer. and
put it as strong as possible that more was
to be gained by leniency than harshness-I
all Of which Manglc listened to with con-
scientinus scowl.
81 cannot be party to compoundinp a
felony" he answered with solemn inton- a
alton.
"Nor have asked you" replied, not g
little nettled, 81 have merely mentioned /.
plan OF paying back your own, leaving it u
to your generosity to press or not to press !,
this prosecution"
''Oh! its all the same" was the con- !
temptuous rejoinder-'' anybody but law :,
Yer, with his head full OF quibs and outlets
could see that. Besides there is some d
thing rather cool in the proposal to retain !, =
your friend in our employ, under pretense =
OF working ont the money he has Stolen.
with the opportunity of filching twice as =
much in the mean ti,ne'' =
L felt my temper rising. and not caring to ~
'mperil my clients interests by an outright u u
quarrel, took hastv leave. III
Lad harr, Il, +irr Tui>I.,..' rslsr H.. ~
morning fixed tor the trial. could hardly IN
nave assembled the court house stens with =
more reluctance than did. And when IL
entered the court room and found Gilbert ~
md his wife already there and noted the VI ..
hopeful look with which the latter greeted Ii
my coming. my heart sickened at the III
thought OF the bitter disappointment COM DC
Bg. ne
1.-The People vs. Gilbert" called out the pr
Judge. after disposing OF some formal mat n
ers.
A jury was Immediately impanneled and
ne case opened by the dis trict attorney. II
Mr.. Meek was the first witness. The ts
ervous, hesitating manner in which he ch
ave his evidence would have greatly dam an
ged its effect, had it not evidently arisen tic
rom a disposition to do the prisoner as its
title hurt as possible. But no softening flo
ould break the terrible force of facts he sic
'as compelled to relate. or.
In his partners absence he had employed ula
Ieorge Gilbert as clerk; had found him ry
Ompetent and trustworthy; had sent him Gle
trip to make collections; on his re- lou
I'm he had acknowledged that after re- Gle;
living considerable sum. he was induced
respectable looking gentleman, with dit
nom he had casually fallen in, to Join vic
'cial game of cards; at first they played ten
II amusement, then for money, and after and
osing AL his own. in hope of retrieving est
s loss, with the fatal inf;ltuation which on
tends the first Infection Of that dreadful spe
ce whose end is swift destruction. lie foil
=
ID hazarded and lost the last dollar of maj
oney he had in trust tor his employer. pco
Mr.. Meek's voice fal:ercd as he closed tho
narrative. He was going to volunteer piet
netting about The prisoners good char for
ter, when a disappearing glance from loss
r. Mangle brought him to halt. viii
Just then the prisoner Glanced TO turn rule
head and catching glimpse of the SEN veri
: who was stumbling among the crowd,
star ed quickly, then whispered hur-
oily in my ear. II
= Turn aside your face" 1 whispered nro,
OK. And the case for the prosecution han
ing closed oh
= Have you any witnesses for the de- m,
se p inquired the Judge. duz
Twill call Hezekiah Mangle," l re- ho,,
ed. ~
\ "".A .. surprise Sreeted the announce bust
m, in the midst of which Mr.. Mangle IN |,
ppeu 'or"".o anu was sworn. the
You have been absent for the past year ont
. Mangle?" began. had
) have.' Tho
Travelling in different parts2y her
Yes, SIR" nor,
A"e prisoner was employed Dy your dow
ther IN your absence, and was arrested sam,
mt the time Of your return?" fur ,
Such is the case.' GOO
Hnvn Won ovop. liz, a. ,,r.k hs,,,