The suburban citizen., 1902-05-03
storing tho plaintif to bis

left the jury to determine only the
amount Of damages to be given. The
spectators supposed that all the credit
was due to the attorney for the mas
terly way in which he had presented
his case for the plaintiff.
Those who really knew, however,
were aware that the chief cause of the
plaintiffs victory was the quick wit
and persistence Of long-legged, awk.
ward youth of eighteen, who at that
moment was busily scraping spatter-
lngs of thick brown mud from the back
and sleeves Of a well-worn coat.
But l am beginning my story at the
wrong end, and must go back to the
events of five or six hours earlier and
start anew.
The increased tinkling of telephone
bells throughout the city indicated that
the business of the day was fairly
started. 1t was nearly $50. Mr. Hoff,
the lawyer, was in his office looking
over the memorandum and noting the
items of the days business. His finger
dragged slowly down the page, paus-
ing at each line.
He was mentally checking off the
items that would demand his personal
attention when the click and bur of
the desk telephone announced that
some one wanted to speak to him. He
pulled the instrument nearer to him
and called, Hello
A strong rasping voice came to his
ear; Hello! Is that Mr. Hoff?'
Yes"
"This is johnson. Our case is likely
to be reached to-day, isn't lt?'
Yes" responded the attorney. 81
think they will get to it this afternoon.
You had better have your witnesses
at my office by 1.30 this afternoon"
That's just why l telephoned you"
said the man at the other end. "You
remember that man Barker l spoke
about?-HellO. there, Central! Don't
cut me Oh!-I say, you remember l
told you Barker was our main wit
ness. thought he was friendly and
would come without subpoena, but l
have heard that he was interested with
Long in some matters, and am afraid
he will give us the sip. He knows his
testimony will probably beat Long"
80 that's his game. is it," said Mr..
Hoff, pulling pencil from his pocket.
Give me his address I'll have him
subpoenaed."
While he was writing down the ad-
dress loud shout from the instrument
made his ear ring and betrayed the
fact that his client was very much ex-
cited IL say! Hello, there"
"Yes; what is it?"
"Oh, I was afraid you had left the
telephone. l wanted to say that your
nan win have to look sharp. Barker
will avoid service if he can"
"All right Good-byew
Mr. Hoff hung up the receiver and
pressed an electric button beneath his
desk. In a moment young man en-
tered. His head was covered with n
tousled mat of yellow hair. There was
apparently an estrangement between
his hands and the ends of his coat
sleeves, and the bottoms OF his trous.
ers found a convenient resting place
on the tops Of his shoes. His appear.
ance was not very prepossessing. but
Mr.. Hoff, who kept watchful eye
over his clerks. had, in the short time
this young man had been with him,
learned to respect him, and to know
that an indomitable spirit lay behind
his uncounth exterior.
Carl" said his employer. "you
NTY. = 49,. =
shore & Barker, don't you?"
Yes, sir. He lives up where l came
from"
well, l want you to make out a sub
poena for him in the case of Johnson
versus Long for this afternoon. Be
sure and get service on him. He will
avoid you If he can, but rely on you.
Here Is some money for his fees, and
some that you may need for expenses.
1t is very important that you get him
this morning"
Yes, sir" was the only response, as
the young man took the money and
left the room.
Upon inquiring at the office of Mr..
Barker for that gentleman he was in
formed that he was not in, and would
not be in that day; that he was out at
his home.
With many boy this would have
been the end of the matter. He would
have returned, saying the man he
sought was not in town. Carl remem.
bered that Mr.. Barker was expecting
to be subpoenaed, and was probably
Keeping out of the way; in fact, he felt
sure Cf it, for he had seen the angry
glance the manager had given the
bookkeeper when the latter told the
whereabouts of his employer
Carl thought for a moment and then
hurried ur the street. 1t was ten min.
utes before 10, and a train would
leave shortly for the suburban town
where Mr.. Barker lived.
He caught the train, and an hour
later was approaching the Barker resi-.
dence when he saw that gentleman de-
scending the front steps, satchel in
hand. The long-distance telephone had
evidently been used to warn him that
he was being sought, and that he had
L