The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-11

to the indebtedness
]. Wesley said: Not a scintilla, so
far as have heard"
WELL sir" and the Judge spoke
slowly, seriously, Il cannot believe the
jurors who heard and determined this
matter were men who could so far for
get themselves, their integrity and the
solemnity of their oaths as to
make a finding that was not fully war
ranted by competent evidence. The sug-
gestion that the money paid on the iudg-
ment is stained or tainted would, it
seems to me, be a gross reflection upon
the men who awarded it.
Il am unable to conceive what con-
Germ it could possibly be to the jurors
as to the disposition you might choose
to be made of your own moneys, how
the matter of compensation received by
your agent or paid by him to another
could in any way affect the validity of
the claim, nor do l think it altogether
polite for the jurors to assume the po-
sition of cOunsellOrs or guardians with
ont solicitation or appointment.
You were entitled to the money, it
was paid you. Keep it.
Since you have spoken freely to me
and seek my advice, / will deal candidly
with you and would suggest that you
discharge Darby, because you cannot
well afford to retain as your trusted
financial agent a man who pays so ex-
travagantly for service Again, it is
unfortunate for him that he would seek
to create a false impression by the sup
preston Of the truth, and the retaining
of such man in your employ would, it
appears to me, be improper. The very
fact that he made Il misstatement has
caused you all this annoyance.
Counsel some practicing attorney as
to the 1ahlman commissions, and if
you can find any legal grounds for ac-
ton, compel the repayment of such
portion Of the money paid him as would
honestly appear in excess of reasonable
compensation.
Wesley thanked the judge for his
neighborly advice and babe him good
bye AS he rode towards home he calm
ly reviewed every thing the judge had
said to him and resolved to act accord
ing to his suggestions. On reaching The
store where the postoffice was kept, he
dismounted, hitched his horse and went
in to get his mail. AS he entered he saw
several of his neighbors grouped about
the store and talking animatedly. After
a polite good morning." he was about
passing to the rear of the room where
the office was rallied off when Mr. Muse
said: I'VE were just paying our respects
to Tahlman, and hope you will excuse
u.s." Mr.. Wesley Jones face flushed
with anger when Tahlman'S name was
mentioned, but he said nothing, called
for his mail and left. Yes. they did
pay their respects, and in rather en-
phatic English too. Some went so far
as to say they thought Tahlman q wolf
in Sleeps clothing, pious fraud, and
one old steward said he ought to be
turned out of the church right away.
30, he's smart one" said Ezekiel
Blount, hes n fellow what knows how
to take particular care of Z. Tahlman,
Esquire mostly" and a dapper young
fellow who thought he knew some things
said that he verify believed Tahlman
hypnotized Mr.. Darby and thus secured
the valuable contract, and that he
thought Mr.. j. Wesley Jones could have
it set aside on such grounds
Old Dr. Pills who had been leaning
back against the counter behind the
Weekly Chronicle, laid down his paper,
took off his spectacles, carefully wiped
them and holding them dignifedly be-
tween his thumb and third finger, re-
marked
Il cannot, professionally, afford to
criticize Tahlman, for l have just read
that he, when a mere lad, slipped and
fell over the disappearance of jar of
jam, bruising his conscience and causing
an abScess to form thereon; that the
surgeon in removing the abscess were
compelled to destroy the entire organ"
This sad statement visibly affected
Ezekiel BlOunt, tears tricked down his
furrowed cheeks, and wiping his eyes
with his red bandana he said: "He
had or'ter sell patent Bee Gums fer
livin' and sighed deeply.
They were in a talking humor and
proceeded to comment upon Mr.. Darby.
and wondered if he would move out of
the neighborhood if Wesley Jones turn
ed him off. More than one ventured to
say that if they We're in Wesley Jones
place they would just run their hands
down in their pockets and pay that
money back rather than have people
a 'talking so about it.
Poor old Mr.. J. Wesley jones' He
has had a hard time of it. How he has
been criticized, censured, condemned
for Darby's conduct and Tahlman'S
greed of gain. 49,
1t is rather amusing to observe the
comments made on the performance OF
Juror Gates and those of his associates
who felt aggrieved at the amount paid
rather the absolute dearth
of comment on their position. You see
they are men Of wisdom, dignity and
power. and it would be rude and vulgar,
beyond presumption, to dare intimate
that such men could stoop to folly. No
man would allow himself to think, much
less express the thought, that it would
place them in most ridiculous light if
they should say they voted to allow the
claim because they honestly believed
Tahlman was to receive only so per
cent. Of the recovery, and that upon as
he received 40 per cent, they
honestly believed the claim of Mr.. Yves
ley Jones is invalid! Living in the same
/ would not think such a
thought a mile and half from any
where in the Oakland it a'rainin'!
1t was my purpose to make some APP
plication of this narrative, but my Ink
gave out. You may, if you choose.
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