Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-04-21

possibilities of grave loss to him, vaile
several of our witnesses are from dis
lance, brought together at this time
with more or less difficulty. In respect
to Mr.. Neils 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 continu-
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 most emphatically
protest against the granting of any con-
| tinuance."
The judge looked deliberately from
one attorney to the other, ABSENT.
playing with paper knife. Did Mr..
Neil understand that the case was set
for this morning?" he asked, coldly
glancing at Donald Bartels.
''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.
Il do not see any sufficient grounds
| for a continuance" he imperturbably
| decided, after a moment, taking up the
paper knife once more and attentively
examining the pattern of its handle.
Your client was aware that the cas-"
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 L told you," muttereIl
Carlton in his ear. They've 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"
And accepting his partners view of
the case. Bartels grimly gave himself
to the task of consuming time. He adj
dressed himself to the impanelling Of
jury with drawing hesitancy, which,
to the few among them who were
strangers to him, fairly suggested an
impcdiment in his speech. Had he been
called to cope with hopeless idiocy, he
could not have been more infinitely
painstakipg 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 dulIest. He
wavered uncertainty in respect to his
challenges; frequently he was inter-
rupted by a small, nervous cough, i'm
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 unhoIy 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
impanelIed and sworn to we'll and truly
try the issues joined between the plain
tiff and the defendant, and 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 u couple of hours with
your opening speech, and get away with |
the rest of the afternoon with what wit !
nesses you've got, while if worst comes |
to worst, you can of course demand d |
Don-suit. But it beats the deuce! / |
can't think what it means
Il wish | were as sure Of seeing the |
whole Grubstake outfit indicted before |
a grand jury as l am that they are at |
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 doubtfully. However, L think
III ride up myself this afternoon and
take look around. L may be able to
stumble onto some clew."
IF you don't-Heaven help u.s." ejac
ulatcd the other with disheartened
fervor.
News of Neil's disappearance had by
this time become noised about the
street, stirring up such excitement as
had not been known in Orodelphia for
many a day. That he should volun-
tarily absent himself on such an occa.
sion seemed almost out of the ques-
ton; but there were a few who found
the most reasonable solution of the
mystery in the beer which Neil was
reported to have drunk in the Tom
town saloon the evening before, the
character of the liquors
dispensed in that establishment being
for Ey many of sorry expert
ences. Others leaned to the opinion.
in more cautious tones, that