The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-06-12
AcCTpRNrALLY INNooENT.

Enilty2" were it less frequently put by
people who spent six days Of the weeh
seeking to get the upper hand of theil
neighbors, and the seventh in trying t
circumveDt their Maker. To the homes
inquirer commend the answer of DR.
johnson to Boswell, "Sir, the lawyer il
not the judge"
Was it for me, when George GILBERT
little sorrow.worn wife, with tears glist
ening in her eyes, to beseech me to dC
what l could for her imprisoned husbanC
virtuously turn my back, and leave he
tired, struggling heart to break or not, al
1t might2 l was neither a priest nor
Levite to find a ready excuse for passing
by on the other side2 Yet what could
do? George Gilbert had been sent on
collecting tour, and had gambled away
money received for bis employers, anC
the penalty was a term of years in thu
States prison. M
~ am sure he never meant to be dis
honest" pleaded the loyal little woman
"he was tenn pied by designing man
but, instead of running away, as others
would have done he came back and con
fessed his fault, Offering to let his whole
salary 60 toward making up the full
amount. Mr.. Meek, the junior partner
was willing to be merciful, but Mr.. Man
cio tba baad Of tho hOnpa paid tho lo u
must take its course" ....-r..
gave her what consolation | could
for lawyers, like doctors, must keep then
patients courage up at times. I'm the
first place III see MaDgle e Meek, said
[. "Mr. Mangle may be made to hear
reason, after all, if he can only be made
to see his interest in it,"
The pale, Respondent face cheered up
a little. My words seemed to inspire
sort of hope, which l was far from
feeling myself
Mr.. Mangle received me with stony
politeness.
Young man" his manner said, "don't
waste time in appeals to sentiment; you
won't if you'll just look at me-" "
took the hint, and came at once to
business, repeated Gilbert's offer, and
put it as strongly as possible, that more
was to be gained by leniency than harsh.
ness, all Of which Mr.. MaDgle listened
to with a conscientious scowl.
81 cannot be party to compounding
a felony" he said, with solemn voice.
Nor have asked you," l said, not a
little nettled. II have merely mention.
ed plan of paying you your own, leav'
ing it to your generosity to press or not
press the prosecution"
"0h, it's all the same" was the con
temptuous reply, "any body but a law
yer, with his head full of quibs ana quib'
bles, could see that. Besides, there's
something rather cool in the proposal to
retain your friend in onr employ, under
pretence of working out the money stole,
with the chance OF taking money again."
l felt my temper rising and not caring
to imperil my clients interests by an
open quarrel, took basty leave.
Had l been in the prisoners place on
the morning of the trial, l could hardly
have assembled the court house steps with
more reluctance than l did. Aud when
entered the courtroom, and found Gil.
bert and his vile already there, and no.
ted tie hopeful lock with which the lat
ter greeted my coming, my heart sick
ened at the thought of the bitter d:sap.
pointment coming
"The People vs. Gilbert" called out the
Judge, after dispusing of some formal
matters. ......
A jury vas Immediately impanneled,
and the case opened by the district at
torney. .u
Mr.. Meek was the first witness. The
nervous, hesitating manner in which he
gave his evidence would have greatly
damaged its effect, had it not evidently
arisen from desire to hurt the prisoner
as little as possible. But no sOftening
could break the terrible force of the
facts he was forced to relate.
In his partners absence he had EN-
ployed George Gilbert as a clerk; had
found him competent and trustworthy;
had sent him on trip to make colleC-
lions; on his return he acknowledged
that after receiving considerable sum,
he was induced by a respectable looking
gentleman whom he met casually, to join
in social game of cards; at FIRST they
played for amusement, then for money,
and, after losing all his own, in the hope
Of retrieving his loss, with the fatal infa
tuation which attends the first Infection
Of that dreadful vice, whose end is swift
destruction, he had hazarded and lost
the last dollar he held in trust for his
''9P
Mr.. Meek's voice faltered as he closed
his narrative. He was going on to vol
lnteer something about the prisoners
previous good character, when disap
proving glance from Mr.. Mangle brought
him to halt.
Just thenthe prisoner chanced to turn
his head, and catching glimpse of the
senior partner, who had just entered
and was standing in the crowd, he start
ed quickly, then whispered hurriedly in
my ear. - as.r4 .-,I
"Turn aside your face" / whispered
back. Aud the case for the prosecution
being closed fs,.. ....r. ....,
Have you any witnesses for the de.
fenceF" inquired the Judge.
Il will call Hezekiah ManGle," l re-
piled. ......
A buzz of surprise greeted the an
in the midst of which Mr..
Mangle stepped forward and was sworn.
You have been absent for the last
year, Mr.! Mangle2"I began. 9s.a
II have.n 10 q o. -.
Travelling In different parts2'
"Yes, sir"
"TBe prisoner was employed by your
partner in your absence, and was arrest
ID about the time of your return?"
"Such was the case." 'o''''a
"HaVe you ever seen hint" om#
"Not TO my knowledge"
rOr met him in your travels?"
"If be will turn his face this way
.an tell better" l'
At my bidding Gilbert turned and
aced the witness.
The effect was electrical. Mr.. MaDgle
.urned pale and red by turns.