Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-07-30
The Unscrupulous LAWYER.

selor Costello" was in his zenith at the Irish
bar, where he was unripalled for wit, acuteness,
and propensity to brogue His practice lay
considerably in the criminal courts, where by
his ingenuity he enabled most deserving cul-
prits to evade the well-earned punishment of the
law. He was one day summoned to Newgate
in hurry, and in a case of great emergency.--
The safe or strong box of Glendour & Co.,
had been plundered to an immense amount
Suspicion had fallen on the deputy cashier, who
was in consequence arrested and sent to prison,
inside the walls Of which he was advised by his
fellow prisoner, (whom on his entrance he had
conciiiated by ''coming down" handsomely to
send for "Counsellor Costello" who would, if
any man could, save his life. 1t was in obe>
dence to this summons that the Counsellor re-
paired to Newgate-a practice not very gener-
al in London perhaps, but not at all unusual in
Dublin.
Il am told you are committed for puroining
10000 guineas, my dear sir" said the Counsel
lor as he entered the cell.
81 am"
care you guilty?"
sSr!"
"Have you arogaun chese7"
Il don't understand you.",
"Did you do the thing!"
"Sr, you insult me by your suspicion"
"Then, by the powers, you'll be hanged"-
and the Chancellor took his hat
''Hold, sir" said the prisoner-who after
little hesitation confessed that he was able to
pay the Counsellor thousand guineas if he
procured his acquittal--the bargain was struck
and the Counsellor took his leave.
Costello Immediately repaired to the Crown
Office, as it was then called in Dublin, from
which his client had been committed The sit
ting magistrate was still on the bench.
Good morrow, Mr.. Alderman,' said the
Counsellor as he entered, "is there anything
new to-day-anything stirring in my way?"
ayes, most extraordinary case has occur
red One of the Glendour's clerks has abstract
ed from the strong box of the bank ten bags,
each containing 1000 guineas in gold. He was
arrested this morning; some of the property
was found on him, and it has been sworn to-
sent him to Newgate half an hour since, and
he'll certainly swing after the next Commls-
son,' (OId Bailey Sessions.")
"'The property sworn to! why Zounds, how
can that be? One guinea is like another, and"
''rrue. true, but with the guineas the fellow
stole some foreign gold coins, one of which, a
broad Dutch piece, was found on him when ar
rested; it has been identified by the chief cash.
ier, so you will admit that he has no chance to
escape. Here it is" and he handed the coin to
the Counsellor.
Costello took the money into his hands, look
ed at it most attentively, turned it in his hand,
and after considering with the air ofa virtuoso,
returned it to the alderman, with-"Upon my
conscience, as clear case as | ever met" AT
ter some unimportant conversation he with
drew, went home, and by the packet that sailed
that night, he despatched a messenger to Ans
terdam with certain instructions and strict
Injunction to be back in Dublin within three
weeks, at the end of which the Commission of
Oyer and TermiDer was to commence. The
man succeeded in the object of his mission, and
returned to Dublin on the very morning of the
day appointed for his masters client.
The prisoner was put upon trial.
The principal cashier of Glendour g. Co., pro-
we'd the circumstance of the robbery as narrated
by the alderman to Costello, adding that the
robber, who could be none but the prisoner,
had substituted ten bags Of half pence for
those of the gold, which he had stolen. The
Dutch piece was then handed to the witness
by the counsellor the prosecution; he unhesita-
tipgly identified it as TIE property of his en-
ployers. This evidence was conclusive-the
prisoners countenance changed-the jury indi-
Gated by their gestures that they were satisfied,
the witness was descending from the stand,
when Costello exclaimed ......
"Stop, young man, a word with you. will
thank you for that gold piece, MR." ad-
dressing the counsel for the prosecution, who
handed it to him. He looked at it, rubbed it
on the sleeve of his we'll worn coat, and then
turning to the prisoner said, holding the piece
of money in his fingers, "and you positively
swear this is the Identical piece of gold which
was in the strong box of Glendour g. Coz
Il do'
"Have care, young man, look at it again."
said Costello, offering it to the witness but let
ting it fall into his hat, which lay before him on
the table. Il beg pour pardon" said he, taking
up and handing the coin to the witness. "You
are sure that this is the identical piece Of mo-
ney?'
Il am"
"You are positive! look at it again.
Il do, and swear it is the identical piece"
"And his?" said the Counsellor, taking ano-
ther and similar piece from his hat.
The witness was petrified.
Costello had at the Crown Office impressed
upon his mind the date and efigies of the gold
piece shown him, and it was to procure similar
coins that he had sent to Holland.
"And Mis1" continued he, "and this--and tba
and this!' taking a fresh piece from hisAat
at each question. The witness was Iuck
dumb. The prisoner was immmediate' acquit-
ted.
A Knoving Horse.-The NJ HaVen Re-