Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-02-17
Client and Counsel.
Statement of Gabriel Foot,
HighWaYman.

HighWayman.
From Longman's Magazine.l
The jury re-entered the ourt after
halt an hours consultation 1t all
comes back to me vividly az though
/ stood in the dock at this very mo-
ment. The dense fog that hung
over the we'll Of the cour.; the barris-
ters' wigs that bobbed up through it
and were drowned again in that
seethiDg cauldron; the rays of the
huttering candles-for the murder
trial had lasted fur into the evening
that loomed through it and wore q
sickly halo; the red robes and red
face of my Lord Judge opposite that
stared through it aud outshone the
candles; the black crowd around, seen
mistily; the voice Of the usher call
ing "Siience!" the shufling Of the ju-
rymen's feet; the blank pallor of their
faces as | leaned forward and tried
to read the verdict on them; the
very smell Of the place-compounded
of tog and jail.fever, the close air, and
the dinners eaten earlier in the day
by the crowd-all this strikes home
upon me as sharply as it then did af-
ter the numb apathy of waiting.
AS the jury huddled into their
places l stole a look at my counsel.
He paused for a moment from his
task of trimming quill, shot quick
glance at the foreman's face, and then
went on as coolly as ever.
Gentlemen of the jury"-it was
the Judges voice-"are you agreed
upon your verdict"
1--WE are"
"Do you find the prisoner guilty
or not guilty"
mot guilty"
1t must have been full minute
as / leaned back clutching the rail in
front Of me-before | saw anything
but the bleared eyes of the candles or
heard anything but hoarse mur mur
from the crowd. But as soon as the
court ceased TO heave and | could
stare about me, looked toward my
counsel again.
He was still shaping his pen. He
made no motion to come forward and
shake hands over my acquittal, for
which he had worked
untiringly all day. He
did not even offer to speak. He
just looked up, nodded carelessly and
turned to his junior beside him; but
in that glance 1 had read something
which turned my heart cold, then
sick, within me, and from that mo.
ment my hatred of the man was as
deep as hell.
In the fog outside got clear Of the
gaping crowd, but the chill of the
night after that heated court pierced
my very bones. had on the
clothes 1 had been taken in
II was June then, and now 1t was
late in October. / remember that on
the day when they caught me | wore
my coat open for coolness. months
and halt had gone out of my life.
Well, had money enough in my
pocket TO get a greatcoat; but | must
put something warm inside me first
to get out the chill that cursed low
yer had laid on my heart.
had purposely chosen the by.
lanes of the town; but remembered
certain tavern-the Lamb and Flag
which lay down side alley. Pres.
emily the light from its windows
loomed like beacon ahead. / push.
ed open the door and entered.
The small bar was full Of people
newly come from the court and dis
cussing the trial in all its bearings
In the babel | heard dozen differen,
opinions given in as many seconds,
and learned enough, too, to make ME
content with the jury l had had
But the warmth Of the place was
pleasant, and | elbowed my way for.
ward to the counter.
| There was q woman standing by
the door az / entered, who looked
curiously ut me for moment, then
turned to nudge man at her side
and whisper. The whisper
grew as / pressed for
ward, and before 1 could reach the
counter hand was laid on my shoul
der from behind. turned.
"Well?" said /.
1t was a hcavy-looking drover tha,
had touched me.
"Are you the chap as was tried to-
dgy for the murder Of Merchant Todd
he asked.
"Weil?" said again; but / could
see the crowd falling back rs II | wa,
leper, ut his question.
"Welll 'Tain'J well, then, as reckon
to be making 30 free with respectable
people"
| There was murmur Of assent frsn
the gaping mouths turned TOWARD
me The landlord came forward from
behind 3he bar.
IL was acquitted" / urged defiant.
ly.
"Ac-quitted' said he with big
scorn in the syllables "Hear lin
now; 'acquitted' Landlord, il this @
respectable house?"
The landlord gave his verdict:
"H'out yer goes, aud blame yor i'm
pudence!"
looked around, but their faces
were all dead against me.
"H'out yer gocs!" repeated the
landlord. "And think yersclt lucky
IL amt worse." added tho drover.
With no further defense / slunl
out into the night once moro.
A small crowd OF children Hea
ven knows when or how gathered
followed me up the court and out In.
to the street. Their numbers swelled
as ! went on, and some began TO hoo
| and uelt ma. bnt when I 0aiued th<