The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-04
~ NH~NNEN
> A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION {
BY :
( CHARLES READE (
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CHARLES READE

| none. my lord. II Is a very simple case.
and i shall not occupy you long. Well,
| gentlemen, Mr.. Bassett Is poor man,
by no fault OF his; but II he is poor. he
Is proud and honorable. He has met the
frowns OF fortune like a conference.-the
a man. He has not solicited govern
ment for a place He has not whined
nor lamented. He has dignihed unmer-
tied poverty by prudence and self denial;
and, unable 10 forget that he is a Bas-
sett. he has put by little money every
year and bought a small estate or two,
and had even applied 10 the lord-lieu-
tenant TO make him a justice of the
peace, when a most severe and unexpect-
ed blow fell upon him. Among those
large proprietors who respected him in
spite of his humber circumstances was
Mr.. Hardwicke. one OF the county mem
bers. Well. gentlemen, on the 2lst OF
last May, Mr. Bassett received a letter
from Mr.. Hardwicke inclosing one pur-
porting to be from Sir Charles Bsssett--
The Judge-Does Sir Charles Bassett
admit the letter?
Defendants Counsel (after a word with
Oldheld) Yes. my lord
Plaintiffs Counsel-A letter admitted
TO be written by Sir Charles Bassett.
That letter shall be read to y~u
The letter was then read +,
The counsel resumed: Cohesive. II you
can, tne eUeci OF tnlS DlOW, just aE my
unhappy ana most deserving client was
rising a little in the world. / shall prove
that II excluded him from Mr.. Hard
wicke's house. and other houses, too.
He Is man OF too much Importance to
risk affronts He has never entered the
door OF any gentleman In this country
since his powerful relative published THIS
cruel libel He has drawn his Spartan
cloak around him, and ne awaits yonr
"a MD
which II due to him In every way--due 10
him as the heir in direct line 10 the
wealth and, above ALL 70 the honor OF
the Bassetts. due 10 him as SIR Charles
Bassett's heir-in-law; and due 10 him on
account OF the 5ecency and fortitude
with which he now repels foul-mouthed
slander."
Hear heart
Silence in the court"
II have done. gentlemen for the pres
ent Indeed, eloquence even IL / pos
sessed II. would be superfivous; the facts
speak for themselves Can James Hard
wicke. Esq"
Mr. Hardw'cke proved the receipt OF
the latter from Sir Charles. and that he
had sent II 10 Mr. Bassett and that Mr.
Bassett had not entered his house since
then. nor had he invited him.
Mr.. Bassett was then calei' and. being
duly trained by Wheeler. abstaine1 from
all heat. and wore an air Of dihnihed
detection. His counsel examined him.
and his replies bore out the opening state
ment. Everybody thought him sure OF
verdict.
He was then cross-examined. Defend
ants counsel pressed him about his un-
fair way OF shooting. The Judge inter-
fered. and said that was trifing. IL there
was no substantial defense. why not set
tie the natter
There is defense my lord"
Then II is time YOU disclosed II.
Very well my lords Mr.. Bassett. did
you ever write an anonymous letter."
Not that | remember"
"Oh. that appears TO you trine. II
is not so considered"
The Judge-Be more careful In your
question
81 will. my lord Did you ever write
an anonymous letter. TO make mischief
between Sir Charles and Lady BassettT
Meyer said the witness. but he turn
cd pale.
''Do you mean TO say you did not write
this letter TO Miss Bruce? Look at the
letter Mr. Bassett. before you reply?"
Bassett cast one swift glance OF agony
al Wheeler: then braced himself like
ron. lie examined the letter attentively.
turned II over. lived an age, and said II
was not his writing.
do you swear that?'
Certainly"
Defendants Counsel--I shall ask your
TO take down that reply. II per-
sisted In. my client will indict the wit
ness for perjury.
Plaintiffs Counsel-Don't threaten the |
witness as we'll as insult him. please.
tTo BE Contnued)