The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-11-15

underlined hope, which | was far
from feeling myself.
Mr.. Mahgle received me with
stony politeness.
"Young Man, his manner said,
'Edon'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 Gil
bert's offer, and put it as strong
ly as possible that more was to be
gained by leniency than harsh
ness, all of which Mr.. Mangle list
ened to with a conscientious
ScrOWl.
II can not be party to com
pounding a felony,' he answered,
with solemn intonation.
E:Nor have | asked you," l re
piled, u little nettled. 'G have
merely mentioned a plan of pay
ing back your own, leaving it to
your own generosity aud good
Judgment to press or not press
the prosecution"
30. it's all the same," was the
contemptuous rejoinder; ''any
body but a la Wy er, with his head
full Of guibs and quibbleS, could
see that. Besides, there's some
thing rather cool in the proposal
to retain your friend in our em
ploy, under pretence of working
out the money he has stolen, with
the opportunity of filching twice
as much money in the meantime.'
l felt my temper rising, and
not caring to imperil my clients
interest by an outright quarrel, !
took a hasty leave.
| Had | been in the prisoners
place on the morning fixed fol
the trial l could not have ascend
ed the courthouse steps with
more reluctance than / did. And
when | entered the courthouse,
and found Gilbert and his wife
already there, and noted the hope
full look with which the latter
greeted my coming, my heart
sickened at the thought Of the bit
ter disappointment awaiting
them.
"The People versus Gilbert ?
called out the Judge, after dispos
ing Of some formal matters.
| A jury was Immediately impan
neled, and the case opened by the
District Attorney.
Mr.. Meek was the first wit
ness. The nervous, hesitatins
manner in which he gave his ev
dence would have greatly damas
ed dts effect had it not evidcntl.
arisen from a disposition to dt
the prisoner as little hurt as po
sible. But no sottening coult
break the terrible force of tn
p facts he was compelled to relate
In his partners absence he hat
, employed George Gilbert as
: clerk had found him competen
and trust worthy; had sent hin
, on IA trip to make collections; o.
his return he had acknowledge
! that after receiving a consider
ble sum, he was induced by a re
i, pectable looking gentleman, wit
: whom he had casually fallen il
! to Join in a social game OF cards
. At hrst they played for anus
ment, then for money; and, aftt
q losing all his own, in the hope
+ retrieving his loss, with the fat;
a infat,lation which attVds til
!, first Infection Of that dreadtl
=, vice whose end is swift destru
+ ton, he had hazar,led and lost I'll
. last dollar Of the money he hel
i ID trust for his employers.
Il Mr.. Meek's voice faItered as
closed his narrative. He was :
~ ing to volunteer something abO'
"a the prisonr's previous good ch;
4 actrr, when a dlsapprovul
p glance from Mr.. Mingle broug|
- him to d halt.
just then the prisoner chance
/ to turn his head, and catchiI
5, sight of the senior partner, wi
,e had just entered and WAS stal
ing among the crowd, he start
IN quickly, then lie whispered h
IN rledly III my ear.
IA Turn aside your face [ vi
" pered back. And the case
the prosecution being cioS'
rt ...iA.. yna any witnr>Se, Tor /
is defense ~ lHqnIses! the Judge.
ut II WlII cal, iicZck!au NaU1it