The Black Forge Mills : $b or, Up the King's highway
John Stuart Mill · en
At nine o'clock the next morning, Ray was brought before the police
court for examination. He could not feel that he was alone, however,
for Mr. George Woodhull, and Mr. Jacob Woodhull, Mr. Bacon, Mr.
Carleton, Dr. Gasque, General Squire, Deacon Blake, and a half dozen
more, were gathered around him as friends and well-wishers. Beside him,
too, as counsel, sat the Hon. Benjamin H. Eaton, one of the leading
lawyers of the State, and the presence of this gentleman so overawed
the little lawyer who acted as prosecuting attorney, and even the
police judge himself, that those worthy functionaries could scarcely
attend properly to their official duties. Of course, the court room was
crowded with interested spectators, but if they had expected the trial
to proceed that morning they were disappointed; for as soon as Ray had
plead not guilty to the indictment read to him, Mr. Eaton arose, and
asked that the case be postponed until Wednesday morning.
"Your honor," he said, "I have been in town but a half hour, and have
had no time to consult with my client. Several important facts have
already come to light, several more are under proper investigation;
by Wednesday morning we shall be able to present our case in a way
entirely creditable to my client. I request, therefore, that he be
permitted to give bonds for his appearance at that time, and the court
now adjourn."
The request was immediately granted, and bail was fixed at one thousand
dollars for the prisoner. A half dozen gentlemen offered themselves as
bondsmen, any one of whom would have been more than sufficient for that
amount. Evidently the tide was turning, and sympathy was setting in in
favor of the lad.
"Come, Ray," said Mr. George Woodhull, after the bond had been
completed, "we'll now go home; mother and wife and children made me
promise to bring you home with me."
But Mr. Carleton interposed. Drawing Mr. Woodhull one side, he said
something to him which caused him to give the first hearty laugh he had
given since Ray's arrest, and to immediately say: "Of course, it will
be best for the boy under those circumstances to stay with you, but
the women folks and the children will be woefully disappointed."
"Well, we will compromise the matter," said Mr. Carleton; "I'll drive
down with him to-morrow and take dinner with you." And Mr. Woodhull,
accepting the offer, drove away home.
Mr. Carleton, with Ray by his side, left the court room, and walked up
town. He took care to call at a number of the stores on the way, and by
his words and his acts to show all he met that he regarded Ray as in
every way worthy of his attention and respect. As he and the lad turned
on to Prospect Avenue, Mrs. Grundy passed them in her carriage, and
looking them coldly in the face refused to acknowledge Mr. Carleton's
stately bow. "I will let even my pastor know that I in no way approve
of his association with criminals," she said, "and at the next church
meeting we will ask for letters to the Central Church."