The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-03-29
THE VERDICT.
And Then the Private Opinions of
the Members of the Jury.

1t is the morning of his trial The sun
is shining gloriously outside the jail
and he stands at his barred window and
looks out over the fields that lie around
the village. He smiles when the taller
brings him his breakfast, and it is no
forced smile, for his face retains its
brightness after the man has retired.
His dress is meager and coarse, and
the roughncss of his hands indicates that
he is a laborer. He is u carpenter, but
the intelligence of his face suggests that
he might have succeeded in higher
calling. There is something indescriba-
bly, poetic in his bearing-somethinr
hidden in the man that gives great pow
er to his eyes.
Il can't make that young man out"
said the iailer to his wife as he returned
to his breakfast table. "Thcy have got
all the proof in the world against him:
he must have stolen the money, there is
no diSputing that, but | never saw such
an honest looking face. lie seems con-
tident that he will come clear to-day as
if he had been promised SO by the judge
and jury"
''lle is only acting part" answered
the woman as she poured out cup of
coffee. ''Wait till he is sentenced to a
long term in the penitentiary; then you
will see him wilt. 1t is easy enough for
him to put on confident look when he
hears some ono coming to his cell"
Il want to see my client before court
opens, said the prisoners lawyer at the
jail door. 81 must have a short talk
with him.
The heavy iron door swung open. The
accused and his counselor were alone
together. The prisoners face grew ex-
pectant. He wiped his lips with nap
kin and pushed the tray of catables
from him.
Il feel as if you bring me good news"
said he. Il have never for one instant
doubted that would be declared inno-
cent. never knew man to suffer for
crimo of which he was not guilty"
The lawyer looked at him penetrat-
ingly for u moment; he looked as if he
were veXed somewhat.
MY time is valuable" said he with a
trace of Impotence in his brusque tone.
ulil y Jul ltS lSCI. IucEc Is one
thing would like to say just now. You
do not seem to comprehend the position
OF a client toward his legal adviser as
well as you might 1t is customary for
one under trial for breaking the laws to
contide wholly in the member of the bar
to whom he intruStS his case. Nothing
should be withheld. You may rest as
sured that what you tell me will never
reach other ears; such disclosures are
regarded as professional secrets and are
held sacred. 1t may be well to tell you
frankly that lawyer can not act with
as much confidence in his own ability as
when there is thorough understand
ing between himself and his client"
The face of the prison-pale man had
taken on a puzzled expression.
Il don't understand" said he, giving
the lawyer his eyes unfiinchingly.
The attorney frowned and twirled his
watch-chain impatiently.
81 will give you an example," said he,
looking at his watch and then winding
it as he continued 81 once defended a
man for murder. | looked over the case
closely. Every thing pointed to my
clients guilt l told him that all was
against him, but that he could trust me
completely, and that detailed confess
sion of how he had committed the crime
would enable me to be ready to combat
as far as possible every point the prose-
cution could adduce. He confessed in
full. / saw what had to be disproved,
and cleared him; he is free man to-
day"
The prisoner turned two startled eyes
full on the lawyer and said:
"And you want me to confess that l
did it?''
1T would help me-"
'But before God l am innocent!'
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders and
half smiled meaningly as he rose to go.
''Well," he said, CURLY, 81 shall do
the best can for you, as much as any
member of the bar could do. But l am
sorry to say your case is almost hope
less. You were at work in the room
from which the purse was stolen and on
the same day When you were arrested
you had the empty purse in your coat
pocket, and had just changed bill of
exactly the same denomination as the
one stolen. You are unable to show
where you got the bill beyond your own
statement that it had been the savings
of "a number of years"
tine thief must have taken the money
and hidden the purse in my coat which
lay on the table outside of the room.
know am innocent and am not afraid
OF being convicted"