The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-09-13
A First. rate story for Lawyers.

A FlrSt-rate story lOr Lawyers
1t is probable that every lawyer of any
note has heard and read Of the celebrated
Luther Martin, of Maryland his great
effort in the case of Aaron Burr, as well
as his displays in the Senate Of the United
States, will not be forgotten. TriAes in
the history of genius are important, as
we hope to show in the story.
Mr.. Martin was on his way to Annapo-
lis, 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 soun re-
sorted to conversation to divert themselves
from too much sensibility to the inclem,
ent air. The young man knew Martin
by sight, and as he was also lawyer, the
the thread Of talk soon began to spin
itself out Of legal matters
"Mr. Martin" said the young man, u
am just entering on my career as law
yer; can you tell mo the secret of your
great success? If, sir, you will give me,
from your experience, the key to dis
tinction at the Bar, will"
"Will what?" exclaimed Martin,
"Why, sir, | will pay your expenses
while you are at Annapolis"
Done. Stand to your bargain now,
and I'll furnish you with the great secret
ormy success as lawyer"
The young man a:gented.
VERY well, said Mr.. Martin, the
whole secret of my success is contained
in one little maxim, which ] early laid
down to guide me. If you follow it, you
can not fail to succeed; it is this always
be sure Of your evidence.
Tho listener was very attentive
smilcd-threw hin,sclf back in philo-
sophcal posture, a-1 gave his brain to
the naysis with true lawyer patience, Of
always be sure of your evidence"
1t was too cold mig ght for anything to
be made pecuniarily out Of the old mans
wisdom, and 80 the promising adept in
notwithstanding gave himself to stage
dreams, In which he was knocking and
puSnlnI MS way through the world by
the all-powerful words Always bo sure
Of your evidence
The morning came, and Mr.. Martin,
with his practical student, took rooms at
the best hotel in the city. The ouly
thing peculiar to the hotel in the eyes of
the young luan was that the wine bottles
and the ct ceteras Of fine living seemed
to recall very vividly the maxim about the
evidence.
The young man watched Mr.. Martin.
Wherever eating anu drinking were con-
cerncd he was Indeed a man to be
watched, especially in the latter, as he
was immoderately fond of the after,dinner,
after supper, afLer-everything luxury of
wine, 4 few days were sufficient to show
the iucipient legalist that he would have
to pay dearly for his knowledge, as Mr..
Martin seemed resolved to make tho most
Of his part of tho contract
Lawyers, whether young Or old, have
legal rights, and so the young man began
to think Of the study Of elEprotcction 1t
was certainly q solemn duty. 1t ran
through all creation. Common to animals
and men, it was a noble instinct not to be
disoboyed, particularly where the hotel
bills Of q lawyer were concerned The
subject daily grew on the young man. 1t
was all-abSorblng to the mind and pocket.
a week elapsed, and Mr.. Martin was
ready to return to Baltimore. So was the
young man. but not in the same stage
with his illustrious teacher
Mr. Martin approached the counter in
the barroom. The young man was an
anxious spectator near him.
Mr.. Clerk" said Mr.. Martin, "my
young friend, Mr.. -, will settle my
bill agreeable to the engagement"
The young man said nothing, but looked
everything. .
'ho will attend to it, Mr.. Clerk, as we
have already had definite understanding
on the subject He is pledgcd-pro.
fessionally pledged-to pay my bill, he
hurriedly repeated.
Where's your evidence % asked the
young man.
evidence p sneered MI Martin.
eyes, sill" said the young man, dcmure.
ly, always be sure of your evidence,
Mr.. Martin. Can you prove the bargain?''
Mr.. Martin saw the snare, and pulling
out his pocket-book, paid tho bill, and
with great good humor assured the young
man,
You will do, sir, to get through the
world with your profession without advice
from me"