Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-05-22


all listening to him with attention; In tel
they were absorbed in the lucid and succinci
statement of the facts which he was unfold.
| ing TO them. His ghost theory was at frs
received with a smile, but presently counsel
ON the other side ceased to smile and began
| to look uneasy. If he could prove what be
said, there was an end of their case. When
he had been speaking for about forty minute:
one of the opposing counsel interrupted hin
with some remark, and at that moment he
noticed the attorney generals clerk was talk
ing to the solicitor beneath him.
Bother it, he is coming, thought Geof-
frey.
But no, the solicitor bending forward in
formed him that the attorney general had
been unayoidably detained by some impor-
tant government matter, and had returned
his brief
'sWell we must get ON as we CAM Geof-
frey said
ST you continue like that we shall get ON
very well, y whispered the solicitor, and then
Godfrey knew that he was doing we'll
yes Mr. Bingham said his lordship.
Then Godfrey went on with his statement
At lunch time it was question whether
another leader should be briefed. Godfrey
said that so far as he was concerned he could
get on alone. He knew every point in the
case, and he had got friend to take a noteh
for him while he was speaking.
After some hesitation the solicitors decided
not to brief fresh counsel at this stage of the
cause, but to leave it entirely in his hands.
1t would be useless TO follow the details OF
this remarkable will suit, which lasted two
days and attracted much attention. Godfrey
won it, aud won it triumphantly. His adj
dress to the jury on the whole case was long
remembered in the courts rising as it did 70
a very high level of forensic eloquence. Few
who saw it ever forgot the sight of his hand
some face and commanding presence as he
crushed the case of his opponents like an egg.
shell, and then with calm and overwhelming
force denounced the woman who with tet
lover had concocted the cruel plot that robbed
her uncle of life and her cousins of their
property. till at the last, pointing towards
her with outstretched hand, he branded her
to the jury as a murderess.
Few in that crowded court have forgotten
the tragic scene that followed, when the
trembling woman, worn out by the long anx-
iety of the trial and utterly unnerved by her
accuser's brilliant invective, rose from her
seat and cried
1--WE did tit is true that we did It to get
the money, but we did not mean to brighten
him to death, and then fell fainting 20 the
ground-or Godfrey Binghams quiet words
as be sat down.
my lord and gentlemen of the jury, do
not think il necessary to carry my case any
further
There was no applause, the occasion was
too dramatically solemn, but the impression
made both upon the court and the outside
public, TO whom such a scene is peculiarly
fitted to appeal, was deep and lasting.
Godfrey himself was under little delusion
about the matter He had no conceit ia his |
but neither had he any false |
modesty. He merely accepted the situation
as really powerful men do accept such events |
with thankfulness, but without surprise.
He had got his chance at last, and like any
other able man, whatever his walk OF life. he |
mad risen TO it. That was all Most men get /
such chances in some shape or form, and are
unable TO avail themselves of them Godfrey
was one OF the exceptions; as Beatrice had
aid, he was born TO succeed. As he sat down,
ne knew that he was made man.
And yet while he walked home that night, /
his ears still full Of the congratulations which /
lad rained in on him from every quarter, he
was conscious Of certain pride. He will
nave felt as Godfrey felt that night whose
OF it has been to fight long and strenuously
against circumstances 50 adverse as to be al
most overwhelming, knowing in his heart
hat he was born to lead aud not to follow
md who at last by one mental effort, with nc
friendly hand to help, and no friendly voice
% guide, has succeeded in bursting a road
through the difficulties which hemmed him
n, and has suddenly found himself, not above
indeed bat still in position to
meet it. He will not have been too proud OF
hat endeayor; it will have seemed but little
hing TO him--a thing full Of faults and i'm.
and falling far short Of his ideal.
lie viii not even have attached too great a
weight TO his success, because if he is a person
Il this caliber he must remember how small
t is when all is said and done. that even ia
lis day there are those who can beat him or
lis own ground, and also that all worldly
uecess, like the most perfect flower, yet bears
n it the elements of decay. But he will have
effected with humble satisfaction on those
ong years Of patient striving which have at
sngth lifted him to an eminence whence he
AN climb on and on, scarcely encountered by
he jostling crowd; till at length, worn out,
he time comes for him 10 fall.
So Geoffrey thought and felt The thing
vas to be done and he had done it. Honoris
hould have money now; she should no longer
'e able to twit him with their poverty. Yes,
nd a better thought still, Beatrice would be
Had to hear Of his little triumph
He reached home rather late Honoria wa.
DING out TO dinner with a distinguished cous.
n, and was already dressing Godfrey had
eclined the invitation. which was a short
ne. because he did not think that he would
'e back from chambers in time to avail him
elf Of it. In his enthusiasm, however, he
rent to his wife's room to tell her Of the
vent.
well, /" she said, what have you been do.
ngi ] think that you might have arranged
o come out with me. 1t does not look well
ny going out so much by myself Oh, for
OF; Of course you are in that case
''Yes-that is, was. have won the case
iere is very fair report Of it in The St
ames' Gazette, If you care to read it.
Good heavens, Geoffreyl How can you
xpect me 10 read all that stuff when am
ressingf'
Il don't expect you to, Honoria; only, as II
ay, have won the case, and l shall ge,
lenty of work now