Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-29
XIV.

result of my own indiscretion, but GER
tainly had not opened myself to the gratui-
tous telephone confidence or to Barstows
sinister approach. Still IL / were to be
harassed and importuned at every turn, 1t
would be much safer to keep the COM
pany of my associates and place myself
beyond the reach of further accident or
design. But even as l determined on THIS
course knew that in one way, at least. the
mischief was already done, for my latest
experience had made an impression upon
my mind which could not easily be eff
faced. The Pollicet message had startled
and disturbed me at first, but maturer con-
sideration had convinced me that 1 had
merely been apprised of one of the de-
lenses which Barstow was undoubtedly
holding In reserve, and that the knowledge
which 1 had thus acquired in advance
would not influence me one way or the
other.
But the encounter with Mr.. Hunt was
quite another matter. 1t was clearly an
attempt on Barstow's part to worm in
formation from me which might prove use
not l was a desirable juror. The mere
fact of his resorting to such tricks was
of Itself enough to prejudice me against
him, but l could still have depended upon
myself to discriminate between the coun-
sci and his client had 1t not been that his
action reflected the weakness of his case.
A lawyer resOrttng to the dangerous eX
pedient of approaching juror must be In
sore straits for legitimate defense. Moth
ing which had come to my knowledge,
either in or out of the court room, had
had any controlling weight with me until
l had unTnasked this attempt, but l knew
l could never forget such sinister cpl
sode and l dreaded it's unconscious effect
on my judgment
My first thought was publicly to de-
nounce the man and his methods, but sec
ond thoughts convinced me that any expo
sure of the lawyer would result In q cruel
injustice to the client from which she
might never recover Nine men out of ten
would read her guilt in Barstow's expo
sure, were she never SO innocent of his
injudicious efforts on her behalf. But quite
aside from any effect which my accusa-
lions might have upon the defendants
case, knew l must be prepared to sup
port my charges If l made them at all.
And what proof did 1 possess? Stripped
of conjecture and Inference, my story was
pitifully inadequate. The sum and SUBJ
stance of 1t all was that / had been asked
certain questions by some one whose
voice | thought recognize. as a man said
10 be In Barstow's employ and whom Miss
Mapes had called Hunt. l could not pro-
duce the man or tell who he was or where
he could be found, and the circumstances
under which l had heard his name would
not recommend my veracity. l would be
discredited and laughed out of court as a
dreamer at best, or as a liar at worst, and,
In any event, a self-confessed eavesdropper
whose word would scarcely require Bar
slows sure denial. l would cut a ridiculous
figure in the eyes of the whole community,
and Barbara Frayne would be justified in
holding me in utter adherence and con-
tempt.
No. Denunciation was not to be ,borebt
of for a moment 1t was far better to
bear the burden of an increased response
blllty ana rely upon my own conscience
than to court disaster to myself and pos
sibly work irreparable injury to another
whose fate was in my keeping.
l found the company at the Melton House
much as l had left it, except that the cir
Gle about the big wood stove had increased
until there was not a vacant seat in the
place. Indeed, some of the chairs held two
occupants apiece, and the writing table had
been pulled up behind the chairs to serve
as gallery for half a dozen auditors.
Over the group hung blue canopy of to-
bacco smoke. and some of the men nearest
the stove had removed their coats and were
sitting in their shirt sleeves but as the
room was not unbearably hot / concluded
that habit and not heat prompted the in
Formally.
A keen-faced country lawyer was Just
finishing a story as I entered, and Bayne
shifted to one side of his chair and silently
invited me TO share it with him. l did not
fancy this picnic familiarity, however and
answering his suggestion with a shake of
my head, remained standing near the door
way.
THAT was the last recommendation I
ever gave to any man." the speaker was
saying. "and | wouldn't give one today to
my own brother
II don't blame you" responded an under
sized man seated on the writing table. I
had a case once, and
DO you remember Lincoln's celebrated
letter of recommendation" Interrupted
mo. 81 of the jury.
NO Let's have it, responded the first
speaker.
body wrote Lincoln asking him about a fell
low in Illinois who had given the Presi-
dents name as a reference in matter of
business credit. Lincoln answered some
thing like this: I have your letter as to
Mr.. Blanks financial responsibility. In re-
ply l beg to say he has wife and child
which should be worth to any man at least
five hundred thousand dollars. Besides
these he has to my certain knowledge in
his office a deal table worth about dollar
fifty, and two cane-bottomed chairs worth
as much more. Also in the corner of his
office there is a rat hole which will bear
looking into. Yours truly, A. Lincoln. d"
l noticed that the little man on the
writing table did not join in the laugh
which greeted this story. but l saw his
lips move as though he were attempting
to make himself heard. His small face be-
trayed conceit and self-importance in every
line, despite its utter insignifcance to
which his pompadour hair and small red
side whiskers gave the finishing touch.
ludl very SOOu, ne began, DIS the
laughter ceased. Most of the stories
about Lincoln are entirely aprocryphal, but
that ones so old l suppose he's entitled to
it whether it's true or not. However, such
things do happen. 1 had a case myself
once"
Speaking of recommendations, inter-
posed a fat, good-natured looking attorney
seated next to Bayne.
Which is precisely what l was speaking
Of" insisted the little man. Some years
ago l had case
Speaking of recommendations to mercy
calmly pursued the interrupter, L got my
experience early In the game when l Was
filled with the milk of human kindness and
mushy accordingly
The hotel clerk brought me a chair from
the dining room, and as l thanked him
called his attention to the administered
individual whose face was ludtcrous study
of wrath and disappointment.
That's I-had-a-case Carson" he eX-
planned in whisper Nobody believes he
ever had Il case, but he lives for these oc-
casions and he's wild to get the floor. The
fellow talking now just loves to choke him
off, and the other lawyers devil him all
they can"
The little attorneys expression of i'm
potent indignation demonstrated that he
was being ''deviled" almost past endur-
ance, but after glazing at the speaker for
a moment he pulled out a big black cigar,
sayageiy bit off the end and tried to en-
~ lf.xf.tN t,Y sc-f