The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-29
THE VERDICT.
win y. Harlem in the Epoch.

The morning OF MS trial. Inc sun II
shining glorIously outside the Jail and he
stands at his barred window and looks out
over the fields that lie around the village
lie smiies when the jaiier brings him his
breakfast, aud IL IL no forced smile. for his
face retains It's brightness after the man has
retired.
His dress IL meagre and coarse and the
roughness OF his hands indicates that he Is
laborer. He 10 = carpenter. but the intel
lirence of his face suggests that he might
have succeeded in higher calling. There
Is something indeserioably poetic in his
bearing something hidden In the man that
gives great power 10 bis eyes.
IL can't make that young man out"
said the jaier to his wife, as he returned to
the breakfast table. "They have got all the
proof In the world against him; he must
have stolen tho money. there is do disput-
ing that. but | never saw such an honest
looking face. He seems - confident that
he will come clear today as il he had been
promised so by the Judge and jury"
"He is only acting part, answered the
woman, ~ she poured out q cup Of coffee.
Wait TIL he is sentenced TO along term In
the penitentiary: then you viii see him
wilt. 1t Is easy enough for him to put on a
confident look when he hears some one
coming TO his cell.
II want 10 see my client before court
opens" said the prisoners lawyer ct the
jail door. II must have . short talk with
him."
The heavy iron door swung open. The
accused and his counselor were alone to-
gether. The prisoners face grew expectant.
Vie wiped his iips with napkin and pushed
.he tray of eatabies from him.
Il feel as il you bring me good news"
said he. II have never for one instant
doubted that | would be declared innocent
never knew q man 10 suffer for crime of
which he was not guilty"
The lawyer looked at him penetratngly
for moment: he looked as II he were vexed
somewhat
MY time Is valuable" said he with a
trace OF impatience in his hrusque tone. al
am your legal adviser. There IL one thing
! would like To say just now. You do not
seem TO comprehend the position of q cli-
ent toward his legal adviser as well as you
aighi. II Ii customary for one under trial
for breaking the laws to coniidc wholly In
the member Of the bar TO whom he intrusts
his case. Nothing should be withheld.
tell me will never reach other ears: such
disclosures are regarded a professional Sc
cress and are held rs sacred Ii may be
well 10 tell you frankly that lawyer can
not act with as much confidence in his
own ability as when there Is q thorough
understanding between him and his eli
emit"
The face of the prison-pale man had
taken on puzzled expression.
Il don't understand, (" said he, giving the
lawyer his eyes nnfiinchingiy
The attorney frowned and twirled his
watch chain impatientiy.
II all give you an example," said he.
lookiugsng q, his watch and then winding
u as he continued. II once defended a
man for murder: | looked over the case
closely. everything pointed 10 my clients
guilt told him that all was against him.
but that he could trust me completely. and
that detailed confession OF how he com.
mittsd the crime would enable me TO be
able 10 combat as far as possible every
point the prosecution could Adduce. He
confessed in full saw what had 10 be
disrroved and cleared him. lie is a free
man today
The prisoner turned two startled eyes
tcli on the lawyer and said
And Yen want me 20 comics. that did
a."
1t wosid helr me"
But hefere God am innocent"
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders and
hali smiled meaningly as he rose TO 80.
Well. be said. curtly. - shall sia the
best can for you, as much "a any member
OF The bar could do. But am sorry to saw
that yo1r case Is almost hopeless. You
were st work Ia the room from which the
Purse Was stolen and on the same dav.
when you were arrested you had the
empty purse In your coat poskes. and had
Just changed a bill Of exactly the same
denomination a. the one stolen. You are
unable 10 show where you gst the bill be-
yossd yoGr own statement that il had been
We savings Of number Of years"
The thief must hare TAKEN the money
ans hidden the purse in NV coat which Law
ca table outside Of the rcoaa. | know 4
ana inneosnt, and am not afraid Of being
convicted -
The laSyer had reached the door: be
turned hack.
! icsi u nay duty 60 impress upon you
the iset hat Il yea we're to plead guilty and
throw yoerssa o. the mercy os The court
yoar pans amen, voala Re lighter. II you
decide 10 Do tAa' y0a may lei me know ia
the courtroom. Ai al events. shall leave
no ssoze ansssned TO help yoa. must 40
nUw"
he prisoners head hung down sad be
Was IA deep thought for moment. Then
his features grew tender ss he moved
s-afsr the wsndow ami saw a woman cona
Ing across TIE courtyard toward the lssl.