The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-23
A First Rate Story for Lawyers

1t is probable that every lawyer OF any
note has heard and read Of the celebrated
Luther Martin of Maryland. His great ef-
fort in. the case of Aaron Burr, as well as
his display in the Senate Of the United
States, will not be forgotten. Trifies in the
history Of genius are important, As we hope
to show in the story.
Mr.. Martin was on his way to Annapolis to
attend the Supfeme Court Of the State. A
solitary passenger was in the stage with
him, and as the weather was extre mely cold
the passengers soon resorted to conversation
to divert themselves from too much ssnsibil'
ty to the inclement air. The young man
knew Martin by sight, and as he was also
lawyer, the thread Of talk soon began 10
spin itself out of legal matters.
"Mr. Martin" said the young man, am
just entering on my career as lawyer; can
you tell me the secret OF your great sue
cess II, sir, you will give me from your
experience the key to distinction 10 the Bar,
| will"
"Wili what? Z" exclaimed Martin.
"Why, sir, will pay your expenses while
you ste at Annapolis"
Ozone. Stand to your bargain. now, and
III furnish you with the great secret OF my
success as lawyer"
The young man assented.:,
"Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Martin. "The
whole secret Of my success is contained IN
one little maxim, which early laid down to
guide me. II you follow it you cannot fail
to succeed. It is this 'AttSay; be sure Of
qour evidence
The listener was very attentive-stnied-
threw him self back III q philosophical pos.
ture, and gave his brain to the analysis,with
true lawyer patience, Of always be sure OF
your evidence.
1t was too cold a night for anything to
be made pecuniarly out Of the old mans
wisdom, and so the promising adept in max
i'm learning gave himself to stage dreams,
in which he was knocking and pushing his
, way through the world BY the all!powerful
, words of always be sure Of your evidence.
The morning came, and Mr.. Martin with
| his practical student. took rooms at the best
hotel in the city. The only thing peculiar
t to the hotel, in the eyes Of the young man
4 was that the wine bottles and the ct retsrGs
D OF fine living seemed to recall very viVidly
that maxim about the evidence.
The young man watched Mr.. Martini
T. Wherever eating and drinking were con
n ceyned, he was indeed man to be watched
If especially, as he was immoderatey fond o
# that after dinner, after supper, after every
thing luxury OF wine. A few days wer
q sufficient to show the incipien: lesgalis. tbs
}, he would have to pay dearly for his knowl
> edge, as Mr.. Martin seemed resolved t
make the most of his part of the contract.
d Lawyers, whether young or old, have lega
rights, and go the young man began to thin
Of the study of self-pro,ection. 1t was Ger
ii tainly solemn duty. 1t ran through Ol
creation. Cotymon TO animals and men,
q was noble instinct not to be disobeyed, pal
ID ticularly where the hotel bills Of lawye
70 we!e concerned. The subject daily gre,
al on the young man. 1t was all absorbing
the mind and pocket. A week elapsed en-
- Mr.. Martin was ready to return to Baltimore
ID So was ths young man, but not in the sam
o. Stage with his illrstrious teacher.
er Mr. Martin approached the counter in tn
bar room. The young man was an anxiou
10 spectator near him. .,
"Mr. Clerk" said Mr.. Martin, "my youn
i'd friend, Mr. -, will settle my bill, ngree'
D., bly, to the engagement"
n. The young man said nothing but locke
r. everything.
III e will attend to it, Mr.. Clerk, as "
#. have already had definite upderstandir
lie on the subject. He is pledged, profession
n, ally pledged, to pay my BILL" he hurried
", rePeated.
a. "Where's your evidenc: - ..
"EVidence 2" sneered Mr.. Martin.
h, "Yes, sir" said the young man. demprel
Iy "a1oays be sure cf your euidsnce' Mr.. Mart,
~ Can you prove the bargain :" ....
Mr.. Martin saw the snare, and pulling o
w his pocket.book paid the bill, and with gre
1t, good humor assured the young man,
o. "You will do, sir, and get through 4
he world with your profession without advi
er from me-"