Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-02-07
q gleasant Story.
INNOCENT.

No lawyer likes going into court with
q thoroughly bad case, yet how can he
help il sometimes?
/ should have more patience with the
question, "Do you ever think it right to
defend man whom you believe to be
guilty ?" were it less frequently put by
people who spend six days of the week
seeking to get the upper holt Of their
neighbors. and the seventh in trying to
circumvent their Maker. To the honest
enquirer, | commend the answer DR..
johnson once gave to Boswell, "Sir, tho
lawyer is not the judge"
Was it my place when Geo. Gilberts
little care-worn wife came with tears
glistening in her eyes, to bescech me to
do what could for her imprisoned hus-
band, virtually to turn my back on her
and leave her tired, troubled heart to
break or not as it might? was neither
priest nor Livite to find ready ex-
cuse for passing by on the other side
Yet what could do? George Gilbert
had been sent on collecting tour and
had ganlbled away moneys received for
his employers. 1t was a plain case Of
cmbezzlement, and the penalty was a
term of years in the States prison.
II am sure be never meant to be dis
honest" pleaded the loyal little woman ;
che was tempted by a crafty and de-
signing man, but instead Of running
away, as others would have done. be
came back and confessed his fault, offer
ing to let his whole salary go toward
making up the lost money till every cent
was paid. Mr.. Meek, the junior part
ner, was willing to be merciful, Mr.
Mangle, the head of the house, who just
returned then after years absence, in.
sisted that tho law should take it,
course"
gave her what poor consolation ]
could, for lawyers, like doctors, must
keep their patients courage up at times
''In the first place, I'll see Messrs
Mangle e. Meek" said, "Mr. Mangle
may be brought 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 have in
spired SORT of underlined hope that |
was far from feeling myself
Mr.. MaDgle received me with stony
politeness.
"Young man." his manner said, "don't
waste time in appeals to sentiment; you
won't if you'll only just look at me-"
took the hint and came at once TO
business. repeated Gilberts offer, and
put it as strongly as possible that more
was to be gained by leniency than harsh
ness-all of which Mr.. Manglo listened
to with conscientious scowl.
Il cannot be a party to compound a
felony, he answered with q solemn into
nation.
Nor have / asked you" replied,
not little nettled. Il have merely
mentioned a plan Of paying back your
own, leaving it to your generosity to
press it or not to press this prosecution.
"Oh, it's all the same" was the con-
temptuous rejoinder---''anybody but
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 pretense of working out the money
he had stolen. with the opportunity Of
filchiDg twice as much 10 the meantime"
l felt my temper rising, and not car
ing to impcril my clients interest by an
outright quarrel, took hasty leave.
Had been in the prisoners place on
the morning fixed for the trial, | could
hardly have ascended the courthouse
with more reluctance than did. And
when / entered the courtroom aud found
Gilbert aud his wife already there. and
noted the hopeful look with which the
latter greeted my coming. my heart
sickened at the bitter disappointment
coming.
"The People VS.. Gilbert" called out
the judge, after dispOsiug Of some formal
matters.
A jury was Immediately impanneled
and the case opened by the District At
torney.
Mr.. Meek was the FIRST witness. The
nervous, heSitating manner in which he