Litchfield enquirer., 1867-12-19
A CLEAR CASE OF CONSCIENCE.

We have lately heard q. story connected with prominent lawyer who has distin- Cuished himself in the defence of crimin- als 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 coun- ty, he was applied to by singular speci- men of humanity, charged with grand lar ceny, to defend him. The lawyer very nat uraily inquired what crime he was accused of. The party accused replied that some body had been mean enough to charge him with stealing one hundred dollars in bank notes, and had got him indicted.
 .Are you guilty?" asked the lawyer.
 That's none of your business" replied the accused. 'sThey say it makes no diff ference with you whether a man is guilty or not, you will contrive to dig him out in some way. So don't talk any more about guilt till you hear what the jury says"
 sfWell. what about the pay?" said the lawyer.
 ''You just hold on till the trial is over; give K- lthe complainant) Jessie on the cross 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 somewhat protracted and exciting one. The District Attorny proved that the money in question was composed of two $20 bills on a certain bank, and the remainder all in Sl0 bills, all of which were wrapped up in a piece of oil silk. The jury after listen ing to the counsel in the case and receiv- ing the charge af the judge, retired, and soon brought verdict of not guilty The accused who was greatly eiated with the trial and the effort of his counsel, invited the latter into one of the vacant jury rooms As soon as they were alone he slapped the counsel oT the shoulder, and exclaimed-
 Free as water, ain't I? Whats the use of tryinga man for stealing when you're around? Now I s'pose you want your pay?"
 ..Yes; have you got anything to pay with, said the lawyer.
 Lend me your knife, and we'll sec about that"
 The lawyer, slightly started at such a proposition, rather reluctantly complied.
 The accused immediately commenced ripping and cutting away at the waistband of his pantaloors and soon produced the bills, for the stealing of which he had just been tried, wrapped up in the identical piece of oil silk described by the witness for the prosecution, and throwing it down on the table before the astonished lawyer exclaimed
 ''There, take your pay out of that; I think there Is enough there to pay you tolerable we'll"
 "Why you villain! you stole that mon ey after all!'' said the lawyer. "Do you expect l can take any pay out of that mon ey?"
 Stole that money! Why what are you talking about? Didn't them twelve men up stairs there just say didn't steal it? Whats the use of your trying to raise a question of conscience, after twelve respec- table men have given their opinion upon the subject ? Take your pay ont of that and ask no questions. Don't be modest in taking; got it easy enough, and you've worked hard enough for it.
 Our informanedid not state how much the lawyer took, but we presume the chap didn't have much change left after our friend had satisfied his conscience in the premises