The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-17


was actually Il step higher to God. Eff
/ them folks had been bowin' down to
sticks an stones with sech hearts in
'em as they had, with that dazzlin
| hope before 'en, the God was learnin
/ to know couldn't turn from 'em. The
i truth is that he was in every atom of
| Their flesh an bones. The truth is that
/ God, let i'm be person, essence or jest
principle, can never be like what any
book or human bein' has described
| When body comes to me with fresh
religion and explains it and at the same
time admits that it is only one O. ten
thousand other beliefs, 1 know it amt
fer me, as much as I'd like to git the
truth; but, on the other hand, know it
is the thing fer the man that holds to
1t, fer as rule any belief p'intin' up
ward is better than none. sometimes
think that the reason thar is sech jan
! gle of various creeds on the face of the
earth is that God gives 'em to US the
same as we give playin' blocks to
babies. We intend that the babies shall
know more'n that about life some day,
/ but the blocks are good enough to start
'em on
Leaving Howard to himself and say
| ing nothing of his intention, Abner
went, up to the little street near the
courthouse which was called Lawyers
row. because five or six of the little
one story brick buildings there were
used as offices for lawyers. One of
these had tin sign, from which the
words Hamilton Quinby, Attorney at
Law had been almost washed off by
/ repeated rains. The door was open, and
Abner went in.
| A tall man of fine build, shock of
bushy hair, sweeping iron gray mus
tache and tuft of beard on his chin,
stood smoking in the center Of the
room. On the top of a desk with roll
| ing cover rested an open leather bound
tome, which the lawyer had been con-
suIting.
"Good morning, Abner,' he nodded,
closing the book. "Pole Baker said you
wanted to see me about. Howard's ease,
an 1 stayed over. I have got some
minor matters to attend to at Spring
town, but they kin wait till later
I'm glad you did" Abper eyed the
open door restlessly. "Hain't you got
another room back thar?s glancing to-
ward the rear. '9Thar amt no use
hayin' every soul in town know I'm
takin' to you, an they all look in as
they pass. BY gum! That woman
almost twisted FER fool neck off just
then. Folks is the very dickens to
when excitement O. any sort is in the
lwind.''
Eyes, I've got consulting room back
there" Quinby returned, and he led
the way through a doorway to the
smaller room in the rear.
Eyes, you may-think it is funny
thing fer me to come talkin' about
Howard before he is even accused, /"
Abner began, as they. seated them
selves in the plain chairs, 'Fbut you'll
admit that the situation is bad as it
stands. Me an, Howard has got, to
keep that paper agoin', an the way
folks is a-talkin' is calculated to dam
age our circuIati'n. We want to be let
alone you sees judge" = Quinby, had
once been a justice of the peace
IAN lowed I'd feel better eff 1 had
a chat with you. 1t can't do no harm
nohow.''
Quinby's face was expression1ess. He
rolled his cigar between his lips
81 read till a late hour last night"
he said In a matter Of fact tone, as he
closed his right eye to cut out the coil
of smoke which rose close to the lids.
at wasn't sure myself on all points o.
the law and wanted to be certain o.
my ground
.fYou don't mean that you-you've
been maxim out his case already" Alb
ner said in surprise.
esWell, yes, believe in knowin' as
nearly what I'm about as possible. I've
been through several cases very much.
on a par with this, and I ought by this
time to know something by experience.
As I understand it, You amt rich
man, an Howard has nothing. Even
If his old daddy mortgaged all he's got
he couldn't raise much money, and it
would be plumb folly to attempt to
make "a long. expensive fight and be
forced to give in at the end.
tsIn every case like this I've advised
my client to plead guilty and throw
himself on the mercy Of the court.
Howard was no doubt provoked to
a great extent, and the courts are gen
orally disposed to impose a light pen
atty where a due show of contrition
and humility is made at the outset"
"But, judge the boy is innocent Abb
ner said, firmly. <aF
Quinby leveled his stare on the old
mans face. It was the calm look he
had given many a witness that was be-
ing sharply cross questioned.
what makes you think so?'' he in
quired in the tone of man of expert
ence humoring one of not any at all
Because he says So" Abner re
turned
sob, he says so, does he? see, see.
They always do at the outset. They do
even to me- right at first. You see, Alb
ner, when a Teller finds himself in the
fix Howard is in he has no time to
think; in, fact, he has no mind to think
with. That's why he needs level head
ed legal advice. The first thing tell
them is to keep their mouths shut and
to ms mr., TO
body to me, and when they come to me
I tell them to mind their own business
oh, yes, it is nothing but natural for
Howard to take that stand. AS a gem
eral thing a Teller that commits a deed
like that is scared to death.