Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-22
Accidentally Innocent.
.LAWYER's STORY.

No lawyer likes going into court with
thoroughly bad case, yet how can be
help it sometimes? 0 o. W
/ should have more patience with the
question, "Do you ever think it right to
defend a man whom you believe to be
guilty ?" were it less frequently put by
people who spend six days Ofthe week
seeking to get the upper hand of their
neighbors, and the seventh in trying to
circumvent their Maker. To the hon.
est inquirer, commend the answer DR..
Johnson once gave to Boswell, ''Sir, the
lawyer Is not the judge"
Was it my place when George Gill
bert's little care-worn wife came with
tears glistening in her eyes, to beseech
me to do what could for her imprisou
ed husband, virtually to turn my back
and leave her tired, troubled heart to
break or not as it might? Twas neither
priest nor Levite to find ready ex
euse for passing by on the other side
Yet what could 7 do? George Gilbert
had been sent on collecting tour and
b ad gambled away money received for
his employers. It was q plain case of
embezzlement. and the penalty was q
term of years in the States prison.
"I am sure he never meant to be dis
honest" pleaded the loyal little woman;
"he was tempted by crafty and design
ing 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 Mr..
Mangfe.ah head of the house, who just
returned then after a years absence, in
sisted that the law should take its
course"
I gave her what poor consolation I
could, for lawyers, like doctors, must
keep their patients courage up at times.
Mangle &..Meek." l said. "Mr. Man
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 in.
spired sort of underlined hope that I
was far from feeling myself.
Mr.. Mangle received me with stony
politeness.
"Young man." his manner said,
'don't waste time in appeals to senti-
ment; you won't if you'll only just look
at me.
I 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.. Mangle listened
to with a conscientious scowl
II cannot be party to compOunding
felony" he answered with solemn
intonation.
"Nor have asked you," I replied,
not little nettled. II have merely
mentioned plan of paying back your
own, leaving it to your generosity to
press or not to press this prosecution"
"Oh, it's all the same" was the con-
temptuous rejoinder-'' -''anybody but a
lawyer, with his head full of quibs aud
outlets, could see that. Besides, there
is something rather cool in the proposal
to retain your friend in our employ un-
der pretence of working out the money
he has stolen, with the opportunity OF
filching twice as much in the mean
time"
l felt my temper rising, and not car
ing to imperil 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 court house
steps with more reluctance than I did.
And when entered the court room and
found Gilbert and his wife already there,
and noted the hopeful look with which
the latter greeted my coming, my heart
sickened at the thought of the bitter dis
appointment coming.
"The People vs.. Gilbert" called out
the judge, after disposing of some formal
matters.
A jury was Immediately impaneled
and the case opened by the District At
torney.
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 disposition to do the pri-
soner as little hurt as possible. But no
softening could break the terrible force
of facts he was compelled 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-
tions; on his return he had acknowl-
edged that, after receiving cOnsidera
BILE sum, he was induced by respecta
bic looking gentleman. with whom he
had casually fallen in, to join a social
game of cards; at first they played for
amusement then for money, and aftel
losing all his own, in hope of retrieving
his loss, with the fatal infatuation Of
that dreadful vice whose end is swift
destruction, he had hazarded and losi
the last dollar of money he had in trust
for his employers.
Mr.. Meek's voice faltered as he closed
his narrative. He was going to volun-
teer something about the prisoners good
character, when disappearing glance
from Mr. Mangle brought him to halt
just then the prisoner chanced to turr
his head, and catching glimpse of tht
senior partner. who had just entered ant
was standing among the crowd, he start