The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-08-15
A lawyer S First Lost Case
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Myron Woodwork wax an attorney
just passing middle are. He was
known as the lawyer who had never
lost case. Whether this was because
he would not take case that he was
not sure OF or was so resourcefnl that
his opponents could never defeat him
does not appear. The fact remains
that until tie Yardley case was tried
no Judge or Jury had ever brought
nnai decision or verdict against him.
Upon that case hangs q tale.
Mrs. Yardley died. leaving some s10.-
COO 70 a sister. Mrs Hunt. who had
nursed her In her last illness. cutting
or her own daughter, Julia Scott, a
young married woman living hs diff
fercnt place Mrs. Scott undertook TO
break tie win on the ground that her
aunt had Influenced her mother while
under the effect OF opiales 70 leave her
| property to the aunt No one doubted
up to the last moment that Woodworth
would win, for he had established
every point needed TO establish his
plea. There was but one more witness
to examine, whose testimony was not
supposed TO be important
The defendants counsel called for
Margaret Hunt. ana the name was re-
peated by the clerk with no more rev.
erence than he would have spoken the
name Of habltual criminal Thera
was rustic Of womau's dress, and a
young girl she was the daughter OF
the defendant passed to the witness
stand. Her very appearances begot an
unconscious Difference In every man In
the courtroom.
Woodworth az the momeAt Of aer en-
franco was chatting with q fellow at
torneN. when he turned his eyes to
the witness they rested upon a vision
OF loyelmess. Not only he, but judge.
Jury indeed. every one IN the court
fell under the spell Of her presence.
!, Ia voice low and sweet she respond
cd Go The que tions put TO her by the
defendants counsel who elicited from
her testimony which II not shaken
might vet turn the case against fie
plandK. But those who knew Wood.
worth did not fear. II was upon cross
examination that he was especially
strong. Indeed. as he listenid 10 her
evidence he saw n weak poin, that de-
. sirOyed It's value She had repeated n
conversation she had heard between
her mother and the tcstator IN which
the former urged the latter 70 leave
her property 20 her daughter, Julia
Scott But the witness had said that
sho was not IN the room and did not
: see those who were talking
> When Woodwork took the witness
for cross examination and stood fram-
Ing his first question slight tremcr
: passed over the girl and she cast
, quick glance at the Judge as II to be
seech projections Then she turned her
eyes back on the lawyer. BIT her lip as
= II to gain courage and submitted her
self 10 be tormented She did not
doubt for moment that Woodwork
would prove her a perIurer
; Miss flunt" he said, how Tar was
/ the room In which you were when you
overheard the conversation you have
mentioned from the room in which the
, conversation occurredT'
! A troubled look passed over the face
Of the witness. and she lid not answer
the question
Tine husband Of the testator had been
a physician, and hls house the house
IN which the conversation occurred
I was fitted with a speaking tube be-
> tween the front door and the doctors
bedroom Ills widow occupied the
!. bedroom 10 which the tube led. Miss
: Hunt standing at the front door di-
= rectly before the lower tube mouth
4 awatmg admittonce. had heard tho
3 conversation through the tube Wood
4 worth knew this and was prepared to
make the statement appear improb-
4 able. He might force her TO admit that
3 she was not IN the house at all then
4 deny her a chunce to tell how she had
9 overheard the conversation
4 lie stood booking at the girl, who
3 looked az him with all the gentle re-
4 proachfnlncss Of fawn regarding a
z hunter about 90 plunge a knife into It's
4 throat Then her eyes became dlmmrd
= With tears,
. Woodworths case was lost. All he
g had 70 DO 20 win It was 10 draw out
x the girls testimony 40 as 20 make lt
4 appear to ilie Jury weak Invention.
y lie knew iu fact as well as by her
g eu.ltless bcurng that she spoke the
= truth sc the moment OF triumph he
. eave up victory. gave up his clients
? ease which be was Ia duty bound
20 win.
B 'I.ct me see" he said, looking down
4 nc some notcs Doe had made ON biz OF
Z paper Perhaps can get at it In an
other way"
i The other way dld not lead to the
speaking tube or 70 anythng that
4 would compromise the witness After
asking % number Of Irrelevant ques-
I iioas he released her from further ex-
q animation.
Every ono wondered The jury
1 brought in q verdict Tor the defendant.
Noodwouh went from the court
n room TO bis office. where he wrote a
a noie 20 bis client Informing her that
, the ease had been lost through his own
fnUf and inptoeinr hfa ehaak for <I1