登陆注册
20265600000056

第56章 JUSTICE IN THE SADDLE(4)

"I shall not trouble your honor by reading our reply in full, but briefly state its contents," said he, in substance."We admit that the herds in question, which have been correctly described by road brands and ages, are the property of my client.We further admit that the two trail foremen here under arrest as accessories were acting under the orders of their employer, who assumes all responsibility for their acts, and in our pleadings we ask this honorable court to discharge them from further detention.The earnest-money, said to have been paid on these herds, is correct to a cent, and we admit having the amount in our possession.But," and the little advocate's voice rose, rich in its Irish brogue, "we deny any assignment of the original contract.The Western Supply Company is a corporation name, a shield and fence of thieves.The plaintiffs here can claim no assignment, because they themselves constitute the company.It has been decided that a man cannot steal his own money, neither can he assign from himself to himself.We shall prove by a credible witness that The Western Supply Company is but another name for John C.Fields, Oliver Radcliff, and the portly gentleman who was known a year ago as 'Honest' John Griscom, one of his many aliases.If to these names you add a few moneyed confederates, you have The Western Supply Company, one and the same.We shall also prove that for years past these same gentlemen have belonged to a ring, all brokers in government contracts, and frequently finding it necessary to use assumed names, generally that of a corporation."Scanning the document in his hand, Sutton continued: "Our motive in selling and accepting money on these herds in Dodge demands a word of explanation.The original contract calls for five million pounds of beef on foot to be delivered at Fort Buford.My client is a sub-contractor under that award.There are times, your honor, when it becomes necessary to resort to questionable means to attain an end.This is one of them.Within a week after my client had given bonds for the fulfillment of his contract, he made the discovery that he was dealing with a double-faced set of scoundrels.From that day until the present moment, secret-service men have shadowed every action of the plaintiffs.

My client has anticipated their every move.When beeves broke in price from five to seven dollars a head, Honest John, here, made his boasts in Washington City over a champagne supper that he and his associates would clear one hundred thousand dollars on their Buford contract.Let us reason together how this could be done.

The Western Supply Company refused, even when offered a bonus, to assign their contract to my client.But they were perfectly willing to transfer it, from themselves as contract for the delivery of the beeves.The original corporation, to themselves as individuals, even though they had previously given Don Lovell a similar award was made seven months ago, and the depreciation in cattle since is the secret of why the frog eat the cabbage.My client is under the necessity of tendering his cattle on the day of delivery, and proposes to hold this earnest-money to indemnify himself in case of an adverse decision at Fort Buford.It is the only thing he can do, as The Western Supply Company is execution proof, its assets consisting of some stud-horse office furniture and a corporate seal.On the other hand, Don Lovell is rated at half a million, mostly in pasture lands; is a citizen of Medina County, Texas, and if these gentlemen have any grievance, let them go there and sue him.A judgment against my client is good.

Now, your honor, you have our side of the question.To be brief, shall these old Wisinsteins come out here from Washington City and dispossess any man of his property? There is but one answer --not in the Republic of Keith."All three of the plaintiffs took the stand, their testimony supporting the complaint, Lovell's attorney refusing even to cross-examine any one of them.When they rested their case Sutton arose, and scanning the audience for some time, inquired, "Is Jim Reed there?" In response, a tall, one-armed man worked his way from the outer gallery through the crowd and advanced to the rail.I knew Reed by sight only, my middle brother having made several trips with his trail cattle, but he was known to every one by reputation.He had lost an arm in the Confederate service, and was recognized by the gambling fraternity as the gamest man among all the trail drovers, while every cowman from the Rio Grande to the Yellowstone knew him as a poker-player.Reed was asked to take the stand, and when questioned if he knew either of the plaintiffs, said:

"Yes, I know that fat gentleman, and I'm powerful glad to meet up with him again," replied the witness, designating Honest John.

"That man is so crooked that he can't sleep in a bed, and it's one of the wonders of this country that he hasn't stretched hemp before this.I made his acquaintance as manager of The Federal Supply Company, and delivered three thousand cows to him at the Washita Indian Agency last fall.In the final settlement, he drew on three different banks, and one draft of twenty-eight thousand dollars came back, indorsed, DRAWEE UNKNOWN.I had other herds on the trail to look after, and it was a month before I found out that the check was bogus, by which time Honest John had sailed for Europe.There was nothing could be done hut put mny claim into a judgment and lay for him.But I've got a grapevine twist on him now, for no sooner did he buy a herd here last week than Mr.Sutton transferred the judgment to this jurisdiction, and his cattle will be attached this afternoon.I've been on his trail for nearly a year, but he'll come to me now, and before he can move his beeves out of this county, the last cent must come, with interest, attorney's fees, detective bills, and remuneration for my own time and trouble.That's the reason that I'm so glad to meet him.Judge, I've gone to the trouble and expense to get his record for the last ten years.He's so snaky he sheds his name yearly, shifting for a nickname from Honest John to The Quaker.

In '80 he and his associates did business under the name of The Army & Sutler Supply Company, and I know of two judgments that can be bought very reasonable against that corporation.His record would convince any one that he despises to make an honest dollar."The older of the two attorneys for the plaintiffs asked a few questions, but the replies were so unsatisfactory to their side, that they soon passed the witness.During the cross-questioning, however, the sheriff had approached the judge and whispered something to his honor.As there were no further witnesses to be examined, the local attorneys insisted on arguing the case, but Judge Mulqueen frowned them down, saying:

"This court sees no occasion for any argument in the present case.You might spout until you were black in the face and it wouldn't change my opinion any; besides I've got twenty cars to send and a train of cattle to load out this evening.This court refuses to interfere with the herds in question, at present the property of and in possession of Don Lovell, who, together with his men, are discharged from custody.If you're in town to-night, Mr.Reed, drop into the Lone Star.Couple of nice monte games running there; hundred-dollar limit, and if you feel lucky, there's a nice bank roll behind them.Adjourn court, Mr.

Sheriff."

同类推荐
  • 春酒堂诗话

    春酒堂诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 清会典台湾事例

    清会典台湾事例

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 后汉书

    后汉书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 重修台湾府志

    重修台湾府志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 三山来禅师语录

    三山来禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 微生物工程原理

    微生物工程原理

    本书内容包括:发酵生产的基础部分、发酵生产的核心部分、发酵生产的下游加工过程和发酵废弃物的利用和处理(清洁生产)、微生物过程的经济问题。
  • EXO之最美的夏季

    EXO之最美的夏季

    从小和哥哥在孤儿院长大,哥哥是自己唯一的亲人。那年她7岁,满心期待被人领养,可是却失去了哥哥。那年她10岁,终于被领养,虽然并不富裕,但是她幸福。那年她18岁,刚刚完成了成人礼,准备闯出一片天,可是,却遇到了他。似曾相识的面貌,似曾相识的感觉,当她发现真相时,才意识到原来人生只不过是一场戏......
  • 混沌贵族的弑黯录

    混沌贵族的弑黯录

    一个青年若是连他最应该能够完成的使命都做不到,那他还剩下什么。一个少女若是连她最想拯救的人都碰触不到,那她还有什么可去祈盼。架空于欧洲中世纪的舞台,一场融合了贵族与秩序之外的世界,即混沌的远古纷争就此拉开序幕。混沌之门,正随着那与天地共生的存在的觉醒而缓缓开敞。Apocalypse启示录。衍生于混沌之内的半神之力,正于秩序中流窜。然而,对于一个彻彻底底在秩序中黯灭的少年来看,毁灭,是唯一的救赎;弑黯,是与她唯一的真言
  • 龙魄魂

    龙魄魂

    九龙之一冰雪因看不开尘世生死,创造了生命"天水"这个女孩,为了夺取四季能源,复活爱人和亲人,把天水派往人间,而天水到达人间之时,其他八龙已经临近逃出封印,在人间,她认识了一个与冰雪极其相似的人,但也略有不同,在八龙出山之时,所有的一切,全部转折??
  • 尊胜菩萨所问一切诸法入无量门陀罗尼经

    尊胜菩萨所问一切诸法入无量门陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 风华天下:师尊在上

    风华天下:师尊在上

    在大雪纷飞的赤雪山,他们第一次相见。为了看自己母亲一眼,凤纤华拜了帝墨为师。三个响头一磕,“师傅在上!”凤纤华那稚嫩的声音竟让寒冷的赤雪山有了一丝暖意。帝墨带着只有年仅五岁的凤纤华回到家族看到了自己母亲那甚至没有尸骨的身体,被自己的国人叫为祸国妖女!“师傅,带我走,然后我们回来毁了这里可好?”“华儿说什么,便是什么。”在凤纤华十七岁时,一袭红衣站在尸体堆成的小山上,笑着说:“师傅,抱我。”帝墨看着满身戾气的她,想着哪流传三界的预言:红衣风华,覆灭人间......
  • 旷世异能

    旷世异能

    昨天叶涛连续出现了几次闪跳后,凌梦菡也无法帮助解决,后来就生气了。狠狠地拍了桌子对叶涛训道:“肯定是你又胡思乱想了。你的精神就不能集中一点?一两个小时不想女人,你就会死啊?快点集中精神继续修炼。”感谢创世书评团提供论坛书评支持
  • 公爵的追捕:冒牌公主逆袭记

    公爵的追捕:冒牌公主逆袭记

    他是T国的公爵,身份高贵,加上手上的权利,连国王也敬畏他三分。她,是T国国王的女儿,自小与他一起生活,究竟是什么让他和她之间的距离越来越远。。。
  • 春色满田:霸上将军做土豪

    春色满田:霸上将军做土豪

    楼下的那个叔叔好过分,说好的给吃棒棒糖,结果……结果……结果……楼上那个丫头好霸道,竟然……竟然……【异能重生女cp护短将军】
  • 最上乘论

    最上乘论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。