The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-05-19
~ HE jurymen thought they had
been of great assistance in re-
Tn hiS

rights. 1He Judge tOoh no III
tie credit to himself for having di-
rected verdict for the plaintiff and
left the jury to determine only the
amount of damages to be given. The
spectators supposed that al 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,
We're aware that the chief cause of the
plaintiffs victory was the quick wit
and persistence of a long-lcGged, awll
ward youth OF eighteen, who at that
moment was buSily scraDiug spatter
ings 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 SO back TO the
events of five OF 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.. Hof,
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. rasDing voice came to his
ear: Hello! Is that AIr. Hoff?'
Eyes
''This is Johnson. Our case is likely
to be reached to-day, isn't it:'
Yes responded the attorney. Il
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 ut the other end. You
remember that man Barker 1 spoke
about ?-Hello. there. Central! Don't
cut me off, say, you remember l
told you Barker was our main wit
ness. l thought he was friendly and
would come without subpoena. but l
have heard that he was interested with
Long in some matters. and l am afraid
he will give us the slip. He knows his
testimony will probably beat Long"
$50 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 adj
dress loud shout from the instrument
made his ear ring and betrayed the
fact that his client was very much e1
cited. II say. Hello, there
Yes; what is it,
sob, 1 was afraid you had left the
telephone I wanted to say that your
man will have to look sharp. Barker
will avoid service if he can
''All right. Goodyear
Mr.. Hotf hung up the receiver and
pressed an electric button beneath his
desk. In moment Il young man en-
tered. His head was covered with Il
tousled mat Of yellow hair. There was
apparently an estranGemcnt 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 prepossessin@. but
Mr.. Hoff. who kept Il watcnfuI 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
know Mr.. Barker. OF the firm of Long
shore N Barker. don't you?"
Yes. sir. He lives up where l came
from"
- We'll. l want you to make out Il 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 l 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 i'll
formed that he was not in, and would
not be in that day; that he was out at
his home.
With many Il 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 OF 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 II moment and then
hurried VI the street. 1t was ten min
utes before 10. and Il 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-.