Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-01

OF how ] unconsciously incurred your resentment
and your nobility in befriendine me in my day
OF trouble has shown me that you are more 10 be
trusted than any Of my old acquaintances I
would feel" To Henderson's astonishment
King was striding back TO his chair
remarkable conflict was taking place in the
lawyers mind and heart. In a fash, his eli
ent was speaking, the import Of the District At
torneys remark which had been buzzng in his
brain came TO him with all its force. As the
swapping of a thread would lead to the unravel-
ing Of weave, 30 the fabric of the prosecution
fell apart with the collapse of this one point in
the evidence King realized, with a shock, that
Henderson innocent.
Simultaneous with this realization came flood
of self-abhorrence Of the part he had played His
clients words Of gratitude and trust had pene-
trated below even the crust of twenty years Of
hatred that encased his heart. and lastly his pro
fessional pride, which had all the while rebelled
at his scheme, aroused
"Mr. Kingl" exclaimed the Judge, with some
asperity, "this is the third time have spoken
to you"
King arose slowly and apologized mechanically
There was absolute silence in the room and
where he stood shaft of sunlight fell bathing him
in its warm rays He did not notice his notes
on points TO be covered; he did not visualize any
object in the room; the jurors faces were as
much blur they would have been to any
green lawyer making his maiden speech. All he
KNEW was JnAJ ne must save henderson lie AT
any cost, and he began to speak slowly, quietly
and in measured tones
Gentlemen" said he "there is no murderer
in this room now but there will be in few
hours if you convict this prisoner. / will be that
murderer"
Taking no notice of the gasp that followed
this declaration the great lawyer went on: How
ever this case ends will never practice at the
bar again. To satisfy grudge which l have
borne for twenty years I would have sent this
man to his death. Oh! this is no trick-I wish
to God it were But you must give me this mans
life-you mustl Do you hear! You must'' And
with this demand Henry King began an address
to the jury which is still spoken Of in tones Of
something akin to awe.
Bit by bit King took the evidence and tore it
to pieces and as the deadly mass dissolved he de-
scribed his perfdy in pitiless terms and
launched into a soul-moving appeal. With won
derfu elouuence he ran the whole gamut of the
emotions the tense nerves of his hearers. Cal
loused court officials stood with the tears rolling
down their cheeks the stenographers forgot to
take down his words and every man in the jury
box was leaning forward, gazing at the speaker
as though entranced.
King was tossed on his own emotions. The
veins stood out on his forehead temples and
throat. as he stretched his trembling hands to-
ward the twelve men in front of him, and often
his words were choked by sobs When he end
ed. in a magnificent burst of oratory, great sigh
foated over the room and there was an outburst
Of applause that for a moment could not be
stayed.
When the District Attorney announced, in
husky voice. that he would make no closing ad-
dress there was a murmur of appreciation, and
the Judge, who had been blowing his nose Wig
orously made charge that almost demanded
ouittal But it was not necessary; without leav-
ing their seats the jury returned a verdict OF
"Not guilty" The court officers made only a
feeble effort tn repress the cheer that followed
Henderson, his eyes shining with joy looked
about eagerly for his counsel but the latter had
left the court room, and true to his promise he
never returned.