The Irish standard., 1897-04-24

T. B. Lippincott Coz
hardship to my client and others con-
-cerned. My client has como on from
New York for the express purpose of
being present at this time. He has in
contemplation trip to Europe which
cannot be delayed without involving
possibilities of grave loss to him, while
several of our witnesses are from q dis
tance, brought together at this time
with more or less difficulty. In respect
to Mr.. Neil's disappearance, while from
some points of view it may be regarded
as. peculiar at this juncture, yet I-ven-
ture to suggest that; the gentleman was
undoubtedly cognizant of the fact that
the case was set for this morning, and
if he is not here it may be certainly
within the range of possibility that
he has reasons of his own for absenting
himself. We would most respectfully
call the attention of: the court to the
fact that no sufficient grounds have
been presented for granting a contdnu-
ance. Talk of malicious detention,
hints and innuendoes, cannot be Of
fered as valid reason for delay. On our
. side we are ready to proceed, and on
: behalf Of my client I stempha tically
protest against the granting of any:con-
.tinuance."
he"judge looked deliberately from
one attorney to the other. absently
playing with a paper knife. "Did Mr..
Neil understand that the case was set
for this morning?" he asked, coldly
glancing at<Donald Bartels..ss
"He did, your honor; and when he
left my office at four o'clock yester-
day afternoon, he expressed his inten-
ton of being here, while, as before
stated, his purpose was further shown
in ordering his horse to be ready for
him."
The Judge glanced rather listlessly to-
ward the clock at the side of the room.
81 do not see any sufficient grounds
for a continuance" he imperturbably
decided, after moment, taking up the
paper knife once more and attentively
examining the pattern Of its handle.
"Your client was aware that the case
was set for trial this morning; If he
disappeared from his room last night,
it would seem that he went voluntarily
at least you have made no showing of
violence or coercion. Surmises and sug-
gestion are not to be accepted as evil
dence. Gentlemen, we will proceed
with the case"
Bartels' fair face flushed an angry red,
but comprehending the uselessness Of
further appeal, he resumed his seat in
silence. "Just as I.told you" muttered
Carlton in his ear. ''They We got Bennett
on their side fast enough. Your only
show now is to kill time the best you
can and trust in: Providence for Neil
to show up at the eleventh hour. I'm go:
ing down to stir up the sheriff and see
what he is good for-if he has not gone
already" ~..s 49,. ..>;
And accepting his partners view Of
the case, Bartels grimly gave himself
to the task of consuming time. He ad-
dressed himself to the impanelling Of
ajury with drawing hesitancy. which.
to the few among them who were
strangers to him, fairly suggested an
impcdiment I'M his speech. Had he been
called to cope with hopeless idiocy, he
could not have been more infinitely
painsta]king in his deliberate explana-
ton of the: grounds upon which that
suit was brought; he reiterated with
tireless suavity; by no possible chance
could any misunderstanding have lin
gered in the mind Of the dullest.' He
wavered uncertainty in respect to his
challenges; frequently he~@was inter-
rupted by small, nervous cough, inn
polling him to begin anew almost COM
pleted sentences, while his questions
were put in such searching, impressive
fashion, that the unhappy company
seized for that form of vicarious atone
ment ordained by the law felt as though
tacitly accused, and in some instances
almost convicted Of unholy league with
the defendant in the case. But with all
his dragging methods, Mr.. Criley with
business-like directness doing all that
he might to make up the lost time, when
court adjourned at noon the jury. of six
impanelled and sworn to we'll and truly
try the issues Joined between the plain
tiff and the defendant, and a true YER
dict render according to the evidence.
"Well, it might be worse Carlton ex-
claimed in gloomy graduation as they
walked down the street together. you
can easily use. up a couple OF hours with
your opening speech, and get away with
the rest Of the afternoon with what wit
nesses you've got, while is worst comes
to worst, you can Of course demand a
non-suit. But it beats the deucel I
can't think what It means. -
II wish were as sure of seeing the
whole Grubstake outfit indicted before
grand jury as am that they are OF
the bottom Of It, morosely returned
Bartels., >- ....-.
"But this would seem almost more
than even Meredith would dare under
Understanding that Neil has been alb
Quoted or anything like that, +" protested
Carlton deubtfully: However, think
I'll ride up myself this afternoon and
take look around. may be able tn
stumble onto some clew."
"If you don'tHeaven help us!" ejac-
ulated the other with tEsheartened
fervor. =. '*-:::-.,- =
News Of Neil's disappearance had by
this time become noised about the
street, stirring up such excitement us
had not been known in orodelphia for
many day. That he should volun-
tarily absent himself on such an coca.
sion seemed almost out Of the ques-
ton; but there were few who found
the most reasonable solution Of the
mystery in the beer which Neil was