Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-04-03
LEGAL ANECDOTES.

Sigma a new Vermont correspondent,
sends us a few amusing anecdotes, connected
with eminent juristical and prominent advoca-
torial personages, years agone, in the Green
Mountain State. Among these anecdotes, he
narrates one of the late Judge P, one of
the '..giants of those days" His sheriff was
long-eggcd, lank, lean, awkward Yankee BASH
tul wltha a stptterer and stammerer and with
voice g. like the tearing of stay-sail out of
bolt-rope." He opened Court" one day with
the usual formula " Hear ye hear We hear
ye =. ETC., which he did, doubtless, in the style
of the Nassau-street "self-sealing en-rel-op"
vender: Any thing on the bo-a-a-rd, FOUR
cents. Twenty-Five sheets of writing paper
to-w-er c-a-e-nts !" etc. He, Of course, became
embarrassed, and suffered and stammercd /:
commenced-broke down-commenced again ;
and had proceeded as far as TO designate the
Court by its jurisdictional name, which, to save
his life, he could not do at first ther he COM
menced again, and again had to give it up,
leaving the irresistible impression on the minds
of persons ignorant of what he would be at, that
he was calling their Honors by very bad names.
Judge P enjoyed the fellows confusion and
embarrassment very keenly, and when he could
contain himself no longer, he turned to one of
his associates, and slapping him familiarly on
the knee, remarked in a whisper loud enough
to be heard through the bar
:" say, Brother r., | have seen courts
opened before now, in all manner of ways, but
must confess never before saw one tore open -
Here is another The late Bates Turner, of
Vermont, (of whom every fun-lover within five
hundred miles has heard, and of whom more
humorous saying are recorded than of any 9TH
er man in Nermont,) was as witty man as he
was learned jurist. He had quick, subtle, and
ant1ta ind NTH il
manner so fast, when talking, that it was diff
cult for the listener to keep up with his words
He was many years on the bench On one oc-
casion, young and jealous lawyer, not over
punctillous in his illusions to the Court, nor
very formal in his manner, was arguing a law
question before the Judge; and in the course
of his argument, by way of illustration, wished
to suppose case"
"We will suppose, your Honor" said he
" that your Honor were to steal horse"
NO! no! no !" interrupted the Judge &" not
! at all not at all tan't supposable case, Mr..
5, 'tant supposable case"
Every well, begging your Honors PARDON"
proceeded the eager lawyer, with more zeal than
prudence, Every well then supposing that /
should steal a horse"
"Ah yes, yes, yes,' said the Judge, " that is
different thing very likely, Mr.. $, very
likely. Proceed, Mr.. $"
Mr.. s. proceeded to take seat, amid the
shouts of his brethren, and had the good sense
to take the joke in good part, and to repeat it
often to his friends.
While Judge Turner was in the practice of
his profession, he once conducted petty litiga-
tion between two very mean men, about a very
small matter, and finally succeeded in promoting
his case to the County Court, to be heard by a
judge presiding therein, who shall be nameess.
This Judge, although he had the respect of the
bar for his learning and ability, had lost their
confidence in his integrity, and was generally
deemed corrupt lie was man of stately, dig
nifed presence although at times a little pomp-
ous" Mr.. Turner's ease was laid before his
honor and had been proceeded in far enough
for the Judge to catch glimpse of the nature
of it and its litigants, when he stopped Mr..
Turner in very grave, dignifed manner Mr..
Turner this seems to be rather trihing case
why not advise your client to submit it to the
candid, impartial arbitrament of two or three
good, honest men, and so not trouble the Court?"
"Ah! yes, yes, yes your Honor" broke in
Mr.. Turner, in his usual hurried manner, and
sparkling snap of his sharp, "practised eye,"
as he addressed the Judge, (for whom, by the
way, he had not a high regard,) "yes, yes your
Honor, but this is Just precisely one Of those
cases zoe do not ,oiSh to trouble an honest man
icith !" Mr.. Turner lost his case.
One or two more, and am done AN empty
headed, conceited hrother-lawyer once bewailed
to Judge Turner that he 1.-THE lawyer) could not
be translated back to youth and carry with him
all the learning and experience he had acquired
during long practice; "Yes, yes!" said the
Judge but console yourself that you would
carry back very light pack indeed; hardly