Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-13

l feit my temper riSlng, and no
caring to my imperil clients Interest
By an outright quarrel, / took hast,
leave.
/ Had been in the prisoners place
on the morning fixed for the trial
| could not assembled the court house
steps with more reluctance than ]
did. And when entered the court
house, found Gilbert and his wife
there, and noticed the hopeful look
with which the latter greeted my
coming, my heart sickened at the
thought Of the bitter disappointment
awaiting them.
1.-The People rersns Gilbert, " called
ont the Judge, after disposing Of
some formal matters. A jury was
Immediately impaneled aud the case
was opened by the District Attor-
ney.
Mr.. Meek was the first witness
The nervous, llesitating manner in
which he gave his testimony would
have greatly damaged its effect, had
it not risen evidently from DISPOSE
ton to do the prisoner as little hurt
as possible. But no softening could
|
break the terrible force of the facts
he was compelled then aud there to
relate.
In the partners absence he had
employed George Gilbert as a clerk,
had found him competent and trust
worthy, had sent him on trip to
make collections; on his return he
had acknowledged that, after receiv.
ing considerable sum, he was in.
duced by respectable looking gen
tleman, with whom he had casually
fallen in, to. .joia in a social game oi
cards. At first they played for amuse
ment, then for money; and after los
ing all his, in the hope of retrieving
his los, with the fatal infatuation
which attends the first infection OF
that dreadful vice whose end is Ger
tain destruction, he had hazarded and
lost the last dollar of The money he
held in trust fol his employers.
Mr.. Meek's voice faltered as he
closed his narrative. He was going
to volunteer something about the
prisoners good character, when a
disappearing glance brought him to
halt.
just then the prisoner CHANGED to
turn his head, and catching sight OF
Mr.. Mangle, the senior partner, who
had just entered and was standing
in the crowd, he started quickly,
then whispered hurriedly in my ear.
"Turn aside your face" whisper
ell back.
The case for the prosecutions being
closed, the Judge inquired:
"Have you any witnesses for the
defense ~
Il will call Hezekiah Mangle," |
replied.
| A buzz of surprise greeted the an
nouncement, in the midst of which
Mr.. Mangie stepped forward and
was sworn.
"You have been absent for the
past year, Mr.. Mangle," l began.
Il have"
Travelling IN different parts 2"
ayes, SIR"
The prisoner was employed by
your partner in your absence, and
was arrested at the time of your re-
turn ~
'.Such was the ease, | believe"
"Yol have declined, Mr.. Mangle,
to interpose in the young mans be-
half, rejecting his offer of reimburse
ment made in order to have this
prosecution stoppedg'
II have declined to entertain such
a proposition OH the grounds"
!
Exactly on the grounds that you
decliued to be a party to the com.
pounding of felony! Am | right n
Ny assurance seemed to surprise
him, as evidently he did not expect an
admission on that point, as likely to
damage the prisoners case; but he
at once responded, with some aspe-i.
ity:
"Yes, sir, you are right. y
"You preferred that the law should
take its course ~
"Yes-.hat is, L"
"Never mind, Mr.. Mangle; that
is Sufficient. Are you personally
acquainted with this clerk ofyours?''
mo, SIR
"Have You ever seen HIM -
"Not to my knowledge"
"Or met him in your travels ~
. If he will turn his head this way,
| can tell better"
At my bidding Gilbert turned fnl
| ~ about aud faced the witness.
| The effect was electrical. Mr.
M.ngle turned pale aud red By turns,
! Zone other question. Mr.. Mangle