New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-11-30
A FORTUNATE LAWYERS CONFESSION.

4
who. though young bsrrister of some eminence,
when the conversation turned upon his own career
GPeope he said, give me credit for much more than
1 deserve They compliment me on having attained my
position by talent and sagacity and s that; but, the
fact is have been an extremely lucky mani mean as
regards opportunities The only thing for which can
really consider myself entitled any credit 10, that
have always been prompt to take advantage Of them
But,'' observed "you have high reputation for
legal knowledge and haye heard several per-
speak in Of great praise of the manner in which
you conducted some of your late cases"
Alb! yesn he returned when man is fortunate, the
world soon finds fine things in him. There is nothing
like gliding to hide imperfecions and bring out exceien
But will just give you one instance OF what call
my luck. It happened year or two ago, and before
was quite as well known am now it was trivial
thing ITSELF but very important in its consequences TO
and has ever since been very fresh in my memory
had been retained behalf of gentleman who was de-
fendant action for debt brought against him by
bicklayer to the amount of bill stated to be
due for buildngwork done the geneman's premises
The refused payment on the ground that verbal
contract had been made for the execution OF tine work
price less by onethrd than the amount claimed Un-
fortunately he had witness to the fact The man de-
MED the contract alleged that specification had been
made and pleaded finally that If such contract had been
into it vated by alterations to all of which
he we to swear and had his assistant also ready
to certify the amount Of labor and material expended
gave my opinion that it was hopeless case and that the
defendant had better agree to compromise than incur
any further expense However he would not and was
n trust to the chapter of accidents for any chance
success. - sg It, g44s@ .
an old friend of mine who after the first days assse
of in his carriage to dine and sleep at bis house.
engaging drive early next morning in time for
this case which stood next the list Mr. Trtten the
gentleman question: there ALSO and We had another
discussion as to the prospects OF his defense know
the fellow said he, to be thorough rascal, and 1t is
because feel confident that something will come out
to prove it, that am determined to persist" said
hoped it might be 80, and we retired to rest
After breakfast the next morning, my host drove me
over his to the assze town ewere Just en-
sring outskirts when from turning down by the Old
inn and posting house where the horse was usually put
up there came running toward lad pursued by 8
man who threatening him in savage manner Find.
ing himself overtaken the lad after the custom Of
bows under such circumstances lay down. curling himself
up and holding his hands ciasped over his head Ihe
man approached and after beating him roughly with his
fist and trying pull him without success took hold
of the collar Of the boys and knocked his head sew
raj times the ground We were Just opposite at the
oment and my friend bade him let the lad alone and
nn be such brute The fellow scowled, and telling us
with an oath mind business, for the boy was
his WI he had right to beat him if he pleased
walked off, and his victim scampered away IN the opposite
direction ,4,.. ,-.rt o. :,
the court The opened in an on hand style By
be onnose counsel who characterized the plea Of con
tract as a sha evasion, and called the plaintiff az hi
principal What was my surprise to see get intt
the box the ye,y man whom we nau oeheia hanmerins
idea occurred to at the moment and half ayertet
nv face from him though indeed, itwas hardly ikei.
he would recognize me under my forensic Wig lie CAV
his evidence in positive, defiant sort of way but YER
clearly and decisiveiy. He had evidently got his stor
well by heart and determined TO STICK 70 it ros
an5 nade show of examining him till saw tha
he was getting rrated and denying things in whole
sale style He had been drinking, too, thought Jus
enough to make him insosnt ana reckless e 30 aver a
few unimportant questions asAeu IN CASUAL 'oh
q You married, Mr. Myers '" "
eyes amp -,
| @And you are kind husband suppose! Z"
q suppose SO what then :" - !.
Have any children blessed your union, Mt Myers !!
The plaintiff counsel here called on the Judge TO
fere The question was irrelevant anu w w
| matter in question .,.a ,.,
but had very important bearing on the case and wi
| allowed to proceed repeated my question.
aIiye a boy and girl" u=z
apray how old are they?o
aTbe bows twelve and the girl nine, believeo
uAhi we'll L suppose you are afectionate father,
we'll AS kind husband You not in the habit OF bea
ing your wife and children are you NJ, ,,;u,,,
don't see what business 1t is OF yours. NO. amt
| uYou don't knock your son about, for example! I"
"No, don'tn He was growing downright savage,
| the peopie in the Court began to laugh.
aYou don't pummel him with your fist, eh -
l aNo L don't"
sor knock his head upon the ground in this manner
TAnd raped the table with my knucklesl.
uNo!" Gndgnanty)
| aYou never did such a thingy'
| aNo!n -
aYes!n -
can this time had never given him an opportunity
seeing my face now turned toward him and said
q Look at me- sir Did you ever me before"
He was about to say ssNo," agaiu but all al once
stopped, turned very white, and made no answer; an
shall prove to you that this witness is not to be BELIEF
| on his oathn
G then related what we had seen that morning, g
putting my friend, who had been sitting behind ne al
while, into the witness-box, he of course confirmed
statement
aThe Court Immediately decided that the man was
worthy of belief and the result was verdict for the
fendant with costs, and severe reprimand from
Judge to Myers, who wasyery nearly being committea
perury But for the of the morning the d.
| sion would inevitably have been against u.s. As l
before it was in double sense fortunate for me, 70
was the of my Introduction through hr Irlt
to an influential and lucrative connectionn