The National tribune., 1888-05-17

giving him the opportunity of doing So He
had made the successful pleader's acquaintance
in this court, and had more than once been as
sisted by his advice.
His eyes had only just lighted on the first
page when he stopped short in surprise by
reading the name Richard Templeton. He
read on with greater interest. Gradually he
came to understand that the case arose out of
a stock exchange transaction, in which Mr..
Templeton, acting as broker for country
squire, was alleged to have wrongfully detained
certain moneys. Walter was fairly well versed
in the matter of stocks and shares, having at
one time looked to them as the easiest means
of making the fortune with which to win fame.
He could easily see that the charge, though
serious one, arose out of the blunder of the
Squire's and could easily be rebutted He was
thinking Of the easy victory Mr.. Brazenface
would get, of the crushing way in which he
would cross examine, and the "Sporus and
butterfly" character of his reply, when he was
startled to hear a clarion voice pronounce
" Lumpkin versus Templeton!" Counsel had
just concluded a confab resulting in an abrupt
termination to the case which Mr.. Brazenface
had seen commenced with such complacency.
Walter anxiously looked round the court for
the missing counsel. He was nowhere to be
seen. The situation was an awkward one.
Owing to the little Importance attached to the
case only Mr.. BTazenface had been engaged for
the defense, and he was not here. Walter cast
another hurried glance round the court and
this time saw, not Mr.. Brazenface, but Mr.
TempletOn himself.
Counsel for the plaintiff rose, made a clever
speech, putting his case in the way so familiar
to frequeuters of law courts which could not
fail to convince any intelligent man of the
justice of his cause, if another counsel did not
have his way in reply. The plaintiff then APP
peared in the witness-box, aud in a very
nervous state managed to utter the sentences
suggested to him by his advocate who next
handed to the Judge a certain document of i'm
portance in the case While the Judge and
jury were examining it Walter beckOned to
Mr. Tempeton.
Mr.. Templeton proceeded from the body of
the court, where he had placidly surveyed the
proceedings in happy ignorance of the absence
of his counsel, to the place where the learned
gentlemen were sitting.
Al regret to say, Mr. Templeton, that Mr..
Brazenface has not yet returned to the court,
which he left in the belief your case was not
coming on yet No doubt he will be here di-
rectly," whispered Walter.
Mr.. Templeton looked somewhat alarmed.
As stock broker with large dealings he had
more than once as plaintiff or defendant figured
in a court of Justice, but his knowledge of legal
forms and procedure being as limited as that of
laymen usually is, did not know what this
might portend.
I" | trust no serious consequences will ensue.
1t is of vital Importance that nothing prejudi-
cial to my honor or integrity should take place
here, through there being no one to appear in
my behalf; getting abroad, as it would, on the
Stock Exchange this afternoon" he exclaimed.
Il hope, Mr.. Digby, you will be equal to any
emergency"
Walter was proceeding to assure him that
there was no cause for alarm when he was
thunderstruck to hear the foreman of the jury
rise and intimate that the jury were in that
frame Of mind that they did not desire to
trouble the defense, and that in a few minutes
their verdict would be forthcoming.
When the Judge, who was dyspeptic this
morning and anxious for a stmulant and was,
moreover, rather shOrt-sighted and did not
know whether defendant was represented or
not, seemed to acquiesce serenely in this ar
rangemeut, the concern on Mr.. Templeton's
face deepened into the gravest alarm.
Pray, Mr. Digby, cannot you do something ?
If those II idiots gave a verdict against me,
| you cannot imagine the almost instantaneous ef-
feet it will produce upon my credit in the city,
Walter needed no further bidding to step
into the breach in defense of Mays father. To
rise and make his voice heard in that court be-
! fore Judge, whose imperyious temper he we'll
knew, was like facing the lannon's mouth.
! But he did it, and the occasion nerved him to a
| heroic effort.
| Clearly and fuently he informed Judge and
] Jury Oh JHe unfortunate absence OF MT, BfaZeu-
! face, and urged the postponement of the case
/ until his return.
| The Judge, wroth at Walters audacity, over
ruled any such proposal. Mr.. Brazenface had
| no business to be absent. But absent or pres
ent, the business of the court must proceed.
| Walter thought for a moment while the
court was breathess, and, facing without finch
| ing the Judges stare demanded the right to
cross examine the plaintiff. This the Judge did
not at first coneede. Walter pushed his point,
| however, and after wrangling with an effroutery
which half an hour ago he should have thought
! impossible, suddenly put staggering" ques-
| ton to the plaintiff in the box.
! The Judge, smothering his rage, did not
| trouble to interfere, and Walter, having in his
mind the whole features of the case, continued
| to oss-examine with an artistic dexterity
which astonished the legal gentlemen, divert
ed the spectators, and elated Mr.. Templeton
until the jury got confouuded and an adjourn
ment had TO be made for lunch.
Mr.. TempletOn clasped Walters hand warm.
| ". You have saved my case, Mr.. Digby
You have made splendid fight. To tell you
| the truth, ] really didn't think you had got il
in you. May never forget the service you
| have done me to-day! !"
For the defaulting counsel reappeared on the
reassembling of the court. and within an houl
had got verdict for his client