Litchfield enquirer., 1842-01-06
THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE LAW.

THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE LAW.
 It is no unusual thing to see q man in this country rise to eminence nt the bar, and in the State, by their own unaided en- ergies, and the natural vigor of their minds. or this kind was Judge S., of Mary land. He had come to the bar late in life, avoiding, or overstepping the dull techni- cal tormalities which surrounded the usual the E.naches to the practice. Having reach iu. me proilts and advantages of his profess ,-SnN - without lae@. he felt or affected for ,ttMouA SjG6, describede contempt, aud .. e,d "a d." undivided half of alty woaId iakes., Wifi his owned by Mrs. OIiIspensable and ne- II aorr'ngton' dec rules of practice. To Ike bo,.o beS 'ne onnm was nothing, so that he les folln' .e their right.
 7 notorious offender, who had long es- capped the meshes of the law, by means of flaws and holes in indictments, was tried before him. Gen. Mason was his stand- ing counsel, and the fellows good fortune. and the ingenuity and tact of his counsel, were considered as good as law proof.- Judge S. was self satisfied that the fcl- low deserved punishment, and was deter mined he should receive i,, rna"gre the tal- en,s of Mason. or any legal difficulty that might interpose.
 The prosecution went on, and the coun- sel for the State made out a very clear case :; the offence was proved point blank, and Mason began to think his client rather cornered: WI the prosecuting attorney. to make 'assqfah<s seablys sure. called one more wiallAd5s < xst f2 ne.able man in the banfy. He Y Sn6fnsed Aell that had bsad provsds6y fo, FRANy.s ns to the
 Sbee. and with inElll IonsI spert- zs,t Iact, tp,the ofeIeS pmn.iIfe in 5 IPsnnsyiy ;;s, ao. Mass bsiz Dne nf ,hals er zco,slph c. ensI Dhe court. Y S.. doth. .ssaiFll ssstiliIpny. l g ats si d(il |parking .b al5.s S S {. ' Ego V4. said the court K Yf~ s bt attempt to try an'of- |snE;k : & lslsK snse another State r. I lelf yOu sir, ,sand< slpOw you good Es Snn is oGhHcaA has been cleaT- ' ;,c, lle leserxes pRnishncsst-- j. nH"I n linn |Igs8 and c0n punish him. In g sam mia ihsy cannot catch him. and l. no, tO bs baplked hy such tecl,ni- 1,hs ssspsel hsrs remarked tha. he
 s6sllsl cDpx znnss of isss error, if he .,sd tjsne la aiiihOrities--h he had syak m: @itlI hIs sss but could procure |Ilseis f} {. aI hour.
 *ilIgive you as much time as you eant, ttpiied the Judge. take half day | if you choose.'
 So soon as Mason had left the court, in searcl, of these unaRswerable authorities, the Judge turned and remarked to the jury, R' that they had heard the testimony, and could no doubt make up their verdict, and he would take care of T0m Mason The kjury returned verdict at once of guilty. The court sentenced him to receive fifty lashes on the bare back, and ordered the sheriff to execute the sentence forthwith. | His counsel returned wiIh the least possi- ble loss of tin.e, and without noticing ille absence of his client, commenced quoting his authorities, and arguing therefrom-the court taking notes and listening very atten-
 lively all the time. Mason at last missed
 his client, and inquired where he was.-
 Never mind-gO on. Mr. Mason.' Btu
 Mason had become alarmed, and refused