Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-01-11
ACCIDENTALLY INNOCENT.
A Lawyers S Story.

can he help it sometimes?
| should have more patience with
the question, "Do you ever think it
right to defend man whom you be-
lieve to be guilty :" were it less fre.
qnently put by people who spend six
days Of the week seeking to get the
upper hand of their neighbors, ana
the seventh in trying to c'row4rsrt
their Maker. To the honast l-qulrer,
| commend the answer DR.. johnson
once gave to Boswell, "Sir, the law
yer is not the Judge"
Was it my place when George Gil
bert's little care-worn wife came with
tears g!istening in her eyes, to beseech
me to do what | could for her impris-
oned husband, virtually to turn my
back and leave her tired, troubled
heart to break or not as it might ?
| was neither a priest or a Levite to
find a ready excuse for passing by on
the other side. Yet what could | do :?
George Gilbert had been sent on a col
Letting tour and had gambled away
money received for his employers. 1t
was q plain case Of embezzlement, and
the penalty was q term of years in
the Stato's prison.
II am sure he never meant to be
dishonest" pleaded the loyal little
woman; che was tempted by crafty
and designing man, but instead of
running away as others would have
done, he came back and confessed his
fault, Offering to let HIS whole salary
go toward making up the lost money
till every cent was paid. Mr.. Meek,
the junior partner, was willing to be
merciful, but 1Ir. Mangle, the head
of the house, who lst returned then
after years absence, insisted that
the law should take its course.
[ gave her what poor consola-
ton l could, for lawyers, like doctors,
must keep their patients courage up
at times.
"In the first place, I'll see Messrs.
Mangle and Meek" I said. "Mr.
Mangle may be brought to hear rea-
son, after all-if he can only be made
to see his interest in it.
The pale despondent face cheered
up little. My words seemed to
have inspired sort of underlined hope
that | was far from feeling myself.
Mr.. Mangle received me with stony
poiiteness.
young man." his manner said,
"don t waste time in appeals to senti-
ment; you wont if you'll only just
look at me-"
! took the hint and came at once to
business, repeated Gilbert's offer, and
pat It as strongly as possible that
more was to be gained by leri
oncy than harshness-all # "1.sa
Mr., Aangle listened to " {, oonsci-
entious acowl.
Il cannot be a party to compound
ing a felony" he answered with
solemn intonation.
Nor have I asked you," Ireplied,
not little nettled. II have merely
a plan Of paying back
your own, leaving it to your generosi-
ty 10 press or not to press this prose-
cution."
ooh its all the same" was the con-
rejoinder-"anybod but
q lawyer, with his head full of quibs
and outlets, could see that. Besides,
there is something rather cool IN the
proposal to retain your friend in our
employ under pretence of working
out the money he has stolen, with the
opportunity Of fflching twice as much
in the meantime"
l felt my temper rising, and not
caring to imperil my clients interest
By an outright quarrel, I took has
ty leave.
Had | been in the prisoners place
on TIL morning fixed for the trial, I
could hardly have assembled the
courthouse steps with more reluc-
tance than | did. And when | enter
ed the courtroom and found Gilbert
and his wife already there, and noted
the hopeful look with which the lat
ter greeted my coming my heart sick
ened at the thought of the bitter dis
appointment coming.
The People Us, Gilbert" called
out the Judge, after disposing of some
formal matters.
A jury was Immediately impaneled
and the case was opened by the Dis