The National tribune., 1884-05-01
CHAPTER XVI.
THE ACQUTTTAL.

CHATTER XVI
TEE AooUITTAL.
On the afternoon before the day which had
been set for the trial Of Captain Adams Gene
We've Canldwen left The Hermitage on foot,
without speaking of her destination or design
to any one: she walked 10 Tower Grove Park,
took a carriage there and told the driver 10 go
10 the United States attorneys Office IN the city
by the shortest route. Nobody saw her leave
The Hermitage but Miss Tyndal, who looked
curi0uslv after her, and made mental note OF
her departure. Arrived at the district att0r-
news Office. Genevieye. Ending the door open,
walked in asked for that officer, who answered
her inquiry and handed him-a card:
Miss Geneyieve Cauldwell.
With Dr. Clariervale. The Hermitage
The attorney gave her quick, scrutinizing
glance. saw that she wished TO confer with
him. and showed her TO a chair in his consul
tation roonl while he carefully read her card
and in respectful manner took another chair
near her de was a keen, quick-witted man,
accustomed TO conference with all sorts OF peo-
ple and knew at once that his visitor was
lady-youug. handsome, inexperienced. and un-
accustomed to courts and attorneys, but at the
same time cool composed, and confident of her
self and resolute in her object, whatever that
might Prove TO be.
what can / do for you, Miss Caldwell ?"
said The attorney, by way Of an opening.
Captain Adams is TO be tried for counter
feitiug tomorrow iearng
Yes. if we can reach the case. it is set for
tomorrow
Il have ventured, under very strong sense
Of justice, tosfier myself as witness on that
trial"
This was said by Genevieve in low tone,
but still with iirmness.
:" Ia behalf Of the Government inquired
the attorney.
"In behalf Of the truth, sir I suppose your
Government wants nothing bnt the trnthg"
The attorney was somewhat at fault
Well. YES the Government certainly desires
10 get at the truth.-and the whole truth
well sir replied 6enevieve, part of the
truth in this casa very important parts
known 10 no one but me-"
"N5il what YOU know assist the Government
In making out its case2
Do vau mean. sir. in c0nyicting an limo
cent nlaug No. sir Had I supposed il could
have that effect should have remained silent"
Il think. then. Miss, you have made a mis-
take Your evidence is for the defendant, and
yOu should have called upon Captain Adams
attorney Why have YOU not been subpGnaed
Oh behalf Of the defendant?"
"Soiely because Of what appears TO me an
unnecessary regard for what he supposes would
be my refucnance 10 90 as a witness into open
~
duty, bur a duty nevertheless. But in my
ignorance / supposed your Government would
accept the truth from any quarter. Or are
your laws intended 70 punish all, innocent and
guilty alikeg7
By this time Miss Cauldweil was well warmed
I'D: her face was flushed, her blood heated, her
ewes opened wide and sparkling, and her full
mellow voice was marked by strong emphasis.
The district sttorney smiled. then begged her
pardon for doing so, and then said, depreeat-
This Is not only my GoTernment-let us be
tbanklul-but YOURS also. do not make the
laws. but it is my duty to prosecute and if
possible 70 convict al who violate them. VIII
you pardon me If / advise that yOu still call
upon Captain Adams attorney ana confer with
hing
shank you. sir But think can serve
the cause Of justice better with yoU-now am
here May ] ask you question:
"CertSinl y-InOst certainly"
Would you convict and send Captain Adams
10 the Penitenfiary if you knew that he made
the elertrBtvpe for which he is indicted as an
experiment proper to his own profession; that
q mere accident led him 10 use fifty-cent note
for that purpose; that he cut OF a corner OF
that note 10 prevent wrong If 1t should fail
into dishonest hands, and that he showed the
plate 90 me as he took it from the battery, and
stated al those facts2"
T" Why, my dear Miss, II IS Just as much
felony under the law 10 make plate Of part Of
note IS Of whole one and the felony does
not consist IN any degree in the motive or in
any fraudulent intent but in making or pos
sssBg n uioie or aHg part of such plate"
And yoH VIII ruin an innocent man and
send hin 10 q felOn s cell under the circum-
stances which / have namedg No. sir this is
not nay Goyernment-I denounee 1t! And
bid yen good EVENING""
As size rose 10 leave. the attorney rose also
and IN q conciliatery tone said that she had
assumed TOO much; be had not quite said that
be would insist upon a conviction under such
circumstances adding that be hoped she would
wait before aenOnncing the Government, which
never willingly punished the really innocent
he said those last words IN such a tone and
with sUcl an expression that lenevieve stopped
for am instant looked into his face, was en-
couragei and said:
" / have sought this interview OF nv owl
motion. without consultation with any one
Please keep my secret.
Certainly, Miss" replied the attorney: and
Gsneyieye went out. and returned 70 The Her
mitage ss She had come.
The evening paper Of the next day eontainel
the following paragraph in the notice Of pro
eeedings in the United States district court:
In the case of the United States us Seth Adams
Tor couEteEssliing, the district attorney lnfoGmes
tie c0ugt illai he satisfied. from evideao
which 8at. come into his possession, that though
Captain Adams Was doubt technically guilty
he did MOI rupPOse that any jury would be foun'
70 cOnVlct .tfn. and be asked leave 20 enter siO
pros and dismiss The case. j was accordingly 5.
done And d IS whispered that certain testinou'
Offered 10 him by certain very prepossessin
young sadly witness had something 90 with thi
bit oi good fortune 10 the gallant captain.
u 10 ao,3g-,,toF