Legacy
by Nzie
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have
been used without permission. No
copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
Jarrod sat by the
fireside with a glass of sherry in his hand. Tomorrow the jury would come out
with its verdict and he would know if he had succeeded. It was another land
dispute, though thankfully not against the railroad. He knew he had done his
best but it was up to twelve men. He sat and reminisced about his first case.
Fresh out of Harvard law, Jarrod had returned to his home state despite job
offers in Boston. He had found a job with the firm of a family friend and was
currently working in San Francisco when he heard about the case.
An Irish dockworker had been accused of murdering one of his peers. No one
wanted to defend him. He had motive and there was plenty of circumstantial
evidence against him, not to mention that he was an immigrant and an Irish one
at that. The city was reluctantly trying to appoint someone but it wasn’t
trying hard and would probably find an unknown, unskilled lawyer with nothing
to risk. True, as a young lawyer from a rich ranching family, Jarrod wasn’t
running much of a risk if he took it, but he wanted to gain experience. He met
with the accused, Liam O’Brien, who convinced him that he was innocent. After
some finagling, he took on the case.
Although he knew immigrants were generally looked down upon, he hadn’t expected
the level of prejudice he found. His only allies were his boss and the other dockworkers,
as O’Brien was well-liked. Jarrod worried over telling Mr. Thurston about
taking on the case.
“Jarrod, I’m surprised you took this on without consulting me. Would you care
to inform me as to your reasons?”
“Well, sir, I looked into it as a way to gain practical experience. Also, when
I talked to him, well, I’m sure he’s been falsely accused. And I don’t like the
way people assume he’s guilty.” Jarrod spoke more boldly than he felt, and
quaked internally over his mentor’s upcoming reaction.
“Are you going to try to win this case or are you going to do what any sensible
lawyer would and throw him on the mercy of the court?” That got Jarrod’s dander
up but he remained calm.
“I never intend to lose a case, and throwing an innocent man on the mercy of
the court is losing.” He was amazed and half thought he would be dismissed.
“Alright. You may go.” Done? Just like that? Jarrod was shocked.
“Sir? Do you have anything you’d like to tell me?” The old lawyer laughed at
Jarrod’s frightened expression, almost like that of a child facing punishment.
“No. You took the case. It is your responsibility to see it through to the end.
You have told me that you intend to win this case. If this man is truly
innocent, I would like to see it won. Therefore, I shall hold you to your word.
It will take some work, so go and win it.” Thurston returned to his papers and
Jarrod left after a moment of collecting himself.
Jarrod prepared his case and found enough evidence to clear the man but had
never tried a case before. He was struggling in court when he received a note.
It read: “I hold you to your word. Find the truth and make it known. Once it is
know it is inconquerable, even by dishonorable men.” Jarrod looked up but
didn’t see the sender. he cleared his throat and mind and improved as he
continued questioning. A few days later, he had proven the guilt of another and
gained recognition for succeeding in a seemingly impossible case. It was late
afternoon when the verdict was announced and Jarrod immediately went to the
office to thank his friend and teacher. There was a note waiting for him.
“Good work, Jarrod. The words I wrote you were taught me by my grandfather.
They have always guided me. So let them guide you. You didn’t win this case
because of my advice but because you were doing right and seeking justice. If I
have but one legacy, I pray to God that these words are it, for they have
solved many a problem both in and out of the courtroom. This legacy must
manifest itself through practice. Please see to that.
Wm. Thurston”
Jarrod had decided to call on Mr. Thurston the next day. When he arrived at the
house, he discovered that his friend had died in his study. The sheet of paper
before him on the desk read: “Pleading my last case before the ultimate judge.
Think I’ll win.”
Jarrod smiled remembering his old friend. The law was his passion, and while
criminal law remained his favorite, he always stood with justice in any case
where it was attacked.