The young man from the waters of Troublesome wore a blank face, although
it was difficult. He had told himself that he felt no hostility for this
prosecutor who had convicted him. Yet, now, as he saw the tall man step
forward to take his place on the platform, remove his felt hat and shake
back the black hair which fell, mane-like, over his forehead, Newt
acknowledged a sense of gladness that he was to be killed.
The Honorable Cale Floyd had fought a bitter battle back there in the
lawless hills for the vindication of law. He had walked in the shadow
of death and had been deprived of office; ostracized like Aristides
because he was "too just a man."
Now, he had come down here to the cultured bluegrass, and was being
pointed out as something of a hero. Clients with well-filled purses
brought their litigation to his office. And it came to pass that in the
glow of unwonted recognition, the simplicity with which he had faced
peril back there in his own country was slipping from him. He felt the
theatric quality of the moment, and struck something of a pose as the
crowd took in his tall figure and broad shoulders and country lawyer's
make-up of frock coat and black string tie. He had recognized that it
was more effective to appear the backwoods lawyer than the well-groomed
attorney. His mentality would flash more startlingly from six feet of
rugged mountaineer, and his attainments would limn themselves forth in a
more impressive forcefulness. In short, the Honorable Cale Floyd was not
now averse to capitalizing his past vicissitudes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account