The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-08-23
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LAW TN A SwGCK FROCK.

LAW TN A SWGCK FROCK.
Jacob Sharp. bolding life lease of fine
moorand farm in Derbyshirc had, for many
years, gradually been waxing rich on the
profits of the same When his only son and
heir was born, he was christenod Brastoe in
honor Of the maternal ine--a name which was
subsequently, and perhaps very naturally,
perverted into -Brassy Sharp! Now
it was ,he highest ambition of old Jacob TO
behold his son an eminent barrSter; and he
even went TO far, sometimes, rs 10 immagiue
how his youthful son would bear up under
the accumulated honor oS a judges perwig,
gown and ruGfes.
He had but one idea as TO the requisites
necessary 10 legal greatness and that was,
that the individual should be capable of matt
ing black white, or white black, whichever
way he chose; and there are great many
jacob Sharps in the world, and some of them
not for removed frcm the pale of the legal
otession, who entertain about the same ele-
walton OF ideas ms to the real int, rpretation of
the law. Wien Master j. Sharp had finished
his preparatory studies at Eton he was ari-
cled to Il sagac GUS country lawyer, who un-
dertcok to struct him in the mysteries OF his
profession, as well 10 drllI him through a tho
rough course of Coke ami Blackstone: but
Brassy Shmp, there was no denying that, SO
bis anne did not belle him; and at the end
of three years he was pronunced "huukum,"
or, in other words. tloroughly disciplinrd to lis
profession. On his return to his psternal
roof he was meet by old Jacob, who under
took to enter into minute examination Of his
legal proficiency in this wise:
We'll, my lad, s'pose Incest thy head
full Of learning, and can til to n farihlrg the
cost of the judges wig. Thee knowest, too
of course, the salary of the chief justice Of
the kings bench, but IN wager thee hawk,
thou canst not make black white nor white
black?'
This was poser, and Brassy acknowledge
ed that the old gcnlltmans proposition ex-
ceeded the utmost reach of his requirements.
| Accordingly after few days at home, he
was sent up to London to acquire the valua-
bic art of making black viii e and white black,
where he remained couple of years. and
might have been content To continue much
| longer, as the life he led was by no means
| disagreabie 10 his tastes, had not the old gen.
tleman con luded to come up to London to
| lock after him.
The chief reason Of his coming, aside from
the very natural one of be holding his hopeful
son and heir, was in consequence of the ar
rest Of a notorious morse thief, whom every
body affirmed would be found guilty at the
next asszes, and either hung or transported
for his offence. Now il struck he sagacious
Jacob in mo nent that here was a most ex-
celent opportunity to test the legal acumen
of his son. If he could only contrlve to Gle ar
the horse thief and put the prosecuting patty
to confusion, he would then be capable Of re-
alizing his long cherished idea Of making
black white and white black.
We'll, my lad said the old gentleman; af-
ter shaking the young lawyer by the hand,
'is't thou capable cf taking the wager offer
ed thee? Csnst thou make black white or
white black?'
Yes, father think am now capable oi
doing what you desire, he replied, assuming
a professional air such as he never could have
acquired out of London.
well, lad,' resumed the o'd gentleman,
! with a satisfied expression, thee 'ast no doubt
heard Of Jem Smy ke, one of he most VILLAIN
Gus SC mps in all D-rby~hre?'
'Ay! | remember him we'll as Que of the
clustering jockeys who used to ride the Lsdy
Susan, at The Chcstc, field races he replied
with professional indifference an ugly,
cross raiaed fellow at the best
We'll, he will be brought up at the next
county asSizes on a charge Of horse stealing
where every body says he is sure Of being
convicted Now if you can save him, my
lad, you will be making black white, aud if
you can contrive to turn the tables on the
prosecutor, you will be making white black.
and All at one process
Very good, father, it shall be done. ! will
save Smyke, never fear, though I've no doubt
| he deserves transportation
That I'm sure Of, returned old Jacob with
shrug
A 'ew days after this, stranger presented
himself at the portal of the Jail. and desired
as counsellor at law. to be shown to the cell
| of Smy Ike. lie found that WORTHY seated on
an iron bedstead in an IN mistakable tit OF the
sulks.
well, Smyke, said Brsssy for he was our
ingenious hero and nobody else, Il have come
to save youP and drawing some per, small
horn insstand and pen from his pocket, he
tOok HIS eaat paar the sulkv nV;aoper mhe -