The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-04-21
CHAPTER XXIV.-Continued

lie uOuliCu anu Ilic lawyer
took me out into side room.
Tell me all about it," he said,
kindly
A great deal may be said in ten min
utes. In that time had given him the
main facts that had led to my present
situation.
lie took off his spectacles and rubbed
the glasses nervously with his hand
kerchief.
This is quite out of common" he
said. IL never heard anything just
like it."
He asked me half dozen questions,
each of which | was able to answer
promptly. He stroked his face thought
fully.
II had some acquaintance with
Pierce Bostock years ago." he said
land | remember now that there was
q good deal of talk about his family af-
fairs. There is very much more than
this girls freedom depending upon the
facts of this case"
DO you think you can save herp"
eagerly asked.
you've got case here" he an
swered evasively. that the best law
yers of Louisiana might take hold of.
am not one of the best; but my sym
pathies are greatly excited for you.
There is a long and stubborn legal bat
tie to be fought When came in here
with you, had no idea of the nature
with zeal and ability; but it will be a
tedious fight, and hard one To be
perfectly frank with you. lawyers are
no more mercenary than other men;
but it is extremely unfortunate for you
that you are poor fellow, without
means"
took roll of bills from my pocket.
Part of it was the remnant of what !
| had received from Deacon Hallock;
with this was five hundred dollars
more that generous LIE Fevre had
handed me at Donaldsonville, merely
saying: ave may be separated. Take
it, till you can repay me-"
handed one hundred dollars to the
lawyer. do your BEST" | said. II
have more"
He put it in his pocket with great
complacency. "At least" said he'll can
| get you time, and embarrass the other
| side. Now, put everything in my hands.
Don't open your mouth without my
| permission. You've admitted nothing,
so far, and don't mean you shall"
Back in the courtroom, my counsel
was on his feet, and addressed the
judge like pugnacious terrier.
"Your honor, my young client here
| pleads not guilty to this charge. He
admits nothing whatever, and requires
that everything shall be proved. The
statement that he made to your honor
is true in every particular. We deny
that this lady is or ever was n slave.
She is the daughter of the late Pierce
fancy, both here and in Mississippi,
and always treated and acknowledged
as daughter. If there is the slight
est evidence to the contrary we shall
produce cloud of witnesses from the
parish of La Fourche interior, and
from the vicinity of Vicksburg.
While am led to believe that there is
some evidence that the complainant is
the son of the deceased, we give no
tice that the most positive proof OF
that fact will be required in the case
of man who was disowned by his
reputed father from the time he ar
rived at his majority, and who is
known as one of the worst blacklegs
along the river"
I'm call you to account for that!'
the person referred to furiously ex
claimed.
whenever you please, sir!' my bel
ligerent champion retorted, with out
stretched finger.
! "order!" said the judge. mo person
alities here"
~ don't want to be personal" con
tinued my counsel "Yet it is fac
that the complainant was put ashor,
from a steamboat below Vicksburg las
June for cheating at cards"
That's so," somebody in the crowt
exclaimed. II was there.
IF the court please" said the oppo
site lawyer, jumping up, what has al
this to do with the accusation here?"
very little" said the judge
, MAKE your statement pertinent, Mr.
; Garnett."
was IucTcly IhS COIIl
plainant that he will have no easy
time in proving that he owns an,
slave. And your honor will see th'
= immense Importance of this investiga
5 ton. Not only does it affect the righ
, of this lady to her freedom-and us'
! the word lady in the highest sens
! that can be given it-but the evidence
! taken here will be used in another
. tribunal, in establishing the disputed
, question of heirship to the large Bos
took estates. 1t will be a long anC
complicated investigation, and shal
see that the rights of both these inter
esting young people are most full.
protected. We ask an adjournmen
of one week; that the defendant b.
admitted to bail, and that the cour
will commit this lady to the care o
my family pending the examination
| pledge my word that she shall b
here on the adjourned day"
II object" said the other lawyer
I'VE can prove our case in five min
utes."
"Indeed!" sneered my champion. -
don't think the unsupported word O
professional gambler, and the part
in interest, as to Pierce Bostock'
statements to him, will have control
ing weight against the proof | shal
bring"