The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-11-17
A Story fer Lawyers.


and read Of the celebrated Luther Martin
OF Maryland. His great efforts in the
case Of Aaron Burr, as well as his dis
plays in the Senate Of the United States.
will not be forgotten. Trfles in the histo.
ry of genius are important, as we hope to
show in tue story.
MIR. Martin was ON his way to Auapolis,
Md, to attend the Supreme Court of the
State. A solitary passenger was in the
stage with him, and, as the weather was
extremely cold, the passengers soon resor
ted 10 conversation to divert themselves
from too much sensioility to the inclement
air. The young man knew Mr.. Martin
by sight, and as he also was a lawyer,
the thread of talk soon began to spin it.
self out ofIegal matters.
'Mr. Martin, said the young man, Il
ain just entering on my career as law.
yer can you tell me the secret Of your
great success II, sir, you will give me
your experience, the key of distinction a,
the bar, will
will what I? asked Mr.. Martin.
why, sir, | will pay your expenses
while you are at Annapolis replied the
young disciple.
Done, responded Mr.. Martin. Stand
to your bargain, now, and I'll furnish the
great secret OF my success as lawyer
The young man asseuted.
Very weli,' said Mr.. Martin. 'Tho
whole reason Of my success is contained
in one little maxim, which | early laid
down 70 guide me. II you follow il YOU
cannot fail to succeed. 1t is this {: AZ.
,cdys be sure Of your ccidease.'
IL was too cold night for anything to
be made peculiarly out of the old mans
wisdom. and so the promising adept in
maxim learning gave himself to stage
dreams, in which he was knocking and
pushing his way through the world, by
the all powerful words, Iipoys be sure Of
your cvidence.'
The morning came, and Mr.. Martin,
with bis practical student took rooms at
tie best hotel in the city. The onlv thing
peculiar 10 the hotel, in the eyes of The
young man, was the fact that all the wine
bottles, and the e! ceterds Of the living.
seemed TO recall very vivedy the maxim
about the evidence.
The young man watched Mr. Martin.
Whenever eating and drnkinking were
concerned, he WAS indeed man TO be
watched, especially in tie later, as he
was immoderaiey fond Of the after din
ner, after supper, after anything, luxury
Of wine. A few days sufliced to show
the incipient legalist that he would have
to pay dearly for his knowIe ige, as Mr.
Martin seemed resolved TO make the most
OF his part Of the contract. Lawyers,
whether young or old, have legal rights ;
aud so the young man began to think Of
the study Of self-protection. 1t was Ger.
tainly solemn duty. 1t ran through
creation. Common to animals and men.
1t was a noble instinct, not to be dsobey
particularly where the hotel bills Of a
lawyer were concerned The subject dat
~ grew on the young man. 1t was all
absorbing to mind and pocket.
a week elapsad, and Mr.. Martin was
ready 10 return to Baltimore. So was
the young man, but not in the same stage
with his ilIustrious teacher.
Mr.. Martin approached the counter in
The Iar|room. The yourg man was an
axious spectator near him.
'Mr. Clerk said Mr. Martin, my friend
Mr.--, will settle my bill agreea
bly, to engagement,
The young man said nothing, but look
cd everything. ~
lie will attend to it. Mr.. Clerk, rs
we have already had \ definite understan.
ding on the subject. lie is pledged to
pay my BILL hurnedly repeated Mr.. Mar.
tin.
Where's your evidencef meekIy as.
ked the young man.
Evidence 2 answered Mr.. Martin.
Yes, SIR said the young man, as he
complacently responded:
Always be sure, Mr.. Martin, Of your
evidence. Can you prove the bargain9'
MIR. Martin saw the snare, aud pulling
out his pocket book paid the bill, and
with great good humor assuring the
young man-'You will do, sir, and can
get through the world with wour profes.
sion without advice from me
The young man thought SO too.
- - -
CAnpAup ASt, DrrrD W. hayo ,.o,