Year: 1879




Had | been in the prisoners place on the
morning fixed for the trial, l could hardly
have ascended the court house steps with
more reluctance than | did And when
entered the courtroom and found Gilbert
and his wife already there and noted the
hopeful look with which the latter greeted
my coming, my heart sickened at the thought
of the bitter disappointment coming


The People VS., Gilbert, called out the
judge, after disposing of some formal mat
ters.


A jury was Immediately impaneled and
the case opened by the District Attorney.


Mr.. Meek was the first witness. The nerv.
Gus, hesitating manner in which he gave
his evidence would have greatly damaged its
effect bad it not evidently arisen from dis.
position to do the prisoner as little hurt as
possible. But no soitening could break the
terrible force of facts he was compelled to
relate


In his partners absence he had employed
George Gilbert as a clerk had found him
competent and trust worthy had sent him
on trip to make collections after receiv-
ing considerable sum, he was induced by a
respectable looking gentleman, with whom
he had casually fallen in, to Join social
game OF cards; at fist they played for
amusement, then for money, and after losing
all his own, in hope of retrieving his loss,
with the fatal infatuation of that dreadful
vice whose end is swift destruction, he had
hazarded and lost the last dollar of money
he had in trust for his employers.


Mr., Meek's voice faltered as he closed his
narrative. He was to volunteer something
about the prisoners good character when
disappearing glance from Mr.. Mange
brought him to halt


Just then the prisoner chanced to turn his
head, and catching glimpse of the senior
partner, who had just entered and was stand.
ing among the crowd, he started quickly,
then whispered hurredly in my ear.


Turn aside your face, l whispered back.
And the case for the prosecution was
closed


Have you any witnesses for the defense p
inquired the judge


4 will call Hezekiah Mangle,' I re.
piled


A buzz of surprise greeted the announce
ment, in the midst Of which Mr.. Mangle
stepped forward aud was sworn


You have been absent for the past year,
Mr.. Mangle p began.


4 have


Travelling in different parts 4?


Yes, sir


The prisoner was employed by your part.
ner in your absence, and was arrested about
the time of your return p


Such was the case.'


Have you ever seen him p


Not to my knowledge


Or met him in your travelsY


IF he will turn his head this way can
tell better


At my bidding Gilbert turned and faced
the witness


The effect was electrical. Mr.. Mange
red and pale by turns.


One other question, Mr.. Mangle,' re-
sumed. DO you recognize in this prisoner
a young man from whom you won thou
sand dollars at poker while on your trav.
els p and | named the time and place at
which the prisoner had met with the mis-
fortune. ...


The man of iron nerve hesitaed worse
than his more amiable partner had done.
He was halting between point blank lie
which might entail the penalties of perjury
and the truth, which would cost him mon
ey. .......
Cowardice performed the office of con-
science, and the truth came out. The firms
money, which George Gilbert had lost had
been won by the senior partner; and the
sum in question had actually been delivered
% one of the joint owners, who was bound
% account to his associate, the prisoner
could not be convicted. - -....
God bless you Mr.. Parker = fatered the
happy little wife, Il knew you would bring
Is out all right ...
1t was evident the truthful woman's ma
ure gave me all the credit of a result in
whose achievement my share had been next
o nothing. .... ......
The lesson was not lost on George Gilbert.
His first false step was the last and the
,ichest fees | ever received was the heartfelt
gratitude of his noble, faithful wife.