Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
A GOOD STORY.

a GOOD STORY.
a gentleman who possessed an estate in the
eastern part of England, worth five hundred
pounds a year, had two sons. The Oldest be-
ing of rambling disposition, went abroad
After several years the father died. The
younger son destroyed the will and seized on
the estate. He gave out that his elder brother
was dead and bribed witnesses to attest it.
In the course of time the elder brother re-
turned, in miserable circumstances. The
younger brother repulsed him with scorn, say
ing that he was an impostor and cheat-that
his real brother was dead long ago, and that
he could bring witnesses to prove it.
The real brother, having neither money nor
friends, was in a dismal situation. At last he
found lawyer who agreed, Gas he had nothing
to pay him,) that if he would give him one
thousand guineas, if he undertook and gained
the cause, he would act for him; to which he
assented. The case was to he tried at the
next General Assizcs, at Chelmsford, Essex.
The lawyer being now engaged, ne set his wits
to work to obtain success. At last he thought
that he would consult the first Judge of that
age, Lord Chief Justice Hale; accordingly he
fastened to London, and laid open the cause
and all its circumstances. The judge. who
was a great lover Of justice. listened attentive
", and promised all the assistance in his pow
er. He having taken leave, the judge con-
trivcd so as to finish all his business at the
Kings bench before the Chelmsford Assizes
began. He started for Chelmsford, and when
within n short distance of that place he dis
missed his horse and sought for private
house he found one occupied by a miller
After some conversation, making himself very
agreeable, he proposed to the miller to change
clothes with him, and as the judge had a good
suit on, the miller did not object; according
ly the judge put on complete suit of the
miller's best Adorned with miller's hat,
shoes and stick, away he marched to ChelmS
ford, where he procured lodging against the
Assizes next day. When the trial came on,
he walked like an ignorant fellow, backwards
and forward along the country hall, and when
the court began TO fill, he found out the poor
fellow who was the plaintiff. AS soon as he
came into the hall, the miller drew up to him:
:'Honest friend, how is your case like to
do to-day %
e Why, replied the plaintiff, ss my cause is
in a very precarious situation, and if 1 loose
it, am ruined for life.'
ssWelI, honest friend" replied the miller,
:: will you take my advice l will let you
into a secret which perhaps you do not know.
Every Englshman has right and privilege
| to except any one juryman through the whole
| twelve now do you insist upon your privi-
lege without giving reason why, and, if pos
sible, get me chosen in his room, and l will do
you all the service in my power.''
Accordingly, when the clerk called over the
names of the jurymen, the plaintiff excepted
one of them. The judge on the bench was
highly offended at this.
What do you mean,'' said he, ss by excep-
ting that gentleman 90
ssI mean, my lord, to assert my privilege as
an Englishman, without giving a reason why
The judge, who had been highly bribed, in
order to conceal it by show of candor, and
having confidence in the superiority of his
party, said:
= Well, SIT, as you claim your privilege in
one instance, l will grant it. Whom would
you like to have in place of that man excep-
ted?''
After short time taken in consideration,
| he said 9: Ny Lord, wish to have an honest
man chosen in,'' and looking around, 's there
is that miller in the court we will have him,
if yon please' Accordingly the miller was
chosen.
AS soon as the clerk of the court had given
them all their oaths, dexterous fellow came
into the apartment, and slipped ten caroluses
into the hands of eleven iurymen, and gave
the miller but five. He observed they were
all bribed as well as himself, and said to his
next neighbor in soft whisper, SO How much
have you got7'' &c Ten pieces,'' said he.-
The miller did not say what he had.