The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-06-20
A Clear Case of Conscience.

We have lately heard capital story
connected with prominent lawyer who
has distinguished himself in the defence
of criminals as well as in connection with
other trials, having frequently through his
skill aided the most hardened criminals
to escape from justice. Some time ago
while our friend was attending Court in
an adjoining county, he was applied to
by singular specimen of humanity, charg-
ed with grand larceny, to defend him
The lawyer very naturally inquired what
crime he was accused of The party ac-
cused replied that somebody had been
mean enough to charge him with stealing
one hundred and fifty dollars in bank
notes, and had got him indicted.
"Are you guilty 2" asked the lawyer.
"That's none of your business" replied
the accused. "They say that it makes no
difference with you whether a man is
guilty or not, you will contrive to dig him
out some way So don't talk any more
about guilt till you hear what the jury
says"
"Well, what about the pay p said the
lawyer.
"You just hold on till the trial is over;
give l.. (the complainant) Jessie on the
oss-examination, and the other fellow
he has got to back him up, and you'll
have no trouble about the pay"
The trial commenced, and proved to be
a somewhat protractcd and exciting one.
the District Attorney proved that the
money in question was composed of two
$40 bills on certain bank, and the re-
mainder all in $40 bills, all of which were
wrapped up in piece of oil silk. The
jury, after listening to the counsel in the
case, and receiving the charge of the
Judge, retired, and soon brought ver-
dict of not guilty. The accused, who
was greatly elatcd with the result of the
trial and the efforts of his counsel, invit-
ed the latter into one of the vacant jury
rooms. AS soon as they were alone he
slapped his counsel on the shoulder, and
"Free as water, amt L? What's the
use of trying a man for stealing when
you're around? Now | s'posc you want
your pay 2"
eyes; have you got anything to pay
with SAID the lawyer.
'Iend me your knife, and we'll see
about that"
The lawyer, slightly startled at such
rather reluctantly omplied.
The accused Immediately commenced
ripping and cutting away at the waist
band of his pantaloons, and soon produc-
ed the roll of bills, for the stealing of
which he had just been tried, wrapped
up in the identical piece of oil silk des-
,ribed by the witnesses for the prosecu-
lion, and throwing it down on the table
before the astonished lawyer, exclaimed /:
"There, take your pay out of that |
think there is enough there to pay you
WE'LL"
"Why, you villain you stole that mo-
ney after all, said the lawyer. "Do you
expect | can take any of that money 7"
"Stole that money! Why, what are you
talking about? Didn't them twelve men
up starts there just say didn't steal it
What's the use of your trying to raise a
question of conscience, after twelve re-
'pectable men have given their opinion
lpon the subject? Take your pay out of
hat and ask no questions. Don't.b mod
sst in taking got it easy enough, and
you've worked hard enough for it,"
Our informant did not state how much
he lawyer took, but we presume the chap
iidn't have much change left after our
riend had satisfied his conscience in the