The Van Buren press., 1867-07-12

"A CLEAR CASE OF CONSCIENCE. We
have lately heard a capital story connect
ed with q prominent lawyer Of our vii
lage, who has distinguished himself in
the defense of criminals as well as in
connection with other trials. having frc-
quently through his skill aided the most
hardened criminals to escape from jus
tice. 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
larceny, to defend him. The lawyer very
naturally inquired what crime he was
accused OF The party accused 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
care you gnilty?" asked the lawyer.
"Thats none of your business" re-
piled the accused .''rhey say that makes
no difference with you whether q man is
guilty or not. you will contrive to dig
him out in some way SO don't talk any
more about guilt till yoa hear what the
jury says" .''. ~
"wcll, what about the pays" said the
lawyer. 'i e. 20
(" You just hold on till the trial is OVER;
give K--- (thc .complaihant) hi on
the cross examination, and the other fell
low he has got TO back him up, aud
you'll have no other trouble about the
pay.'N i ei '''..
The trial commenced, and proved to
be somewhat protracted and exciting
one The District attorney proved that
the money in question was composed OF
two $50 bills on certain bank, and tho
remainder all In so bills, all Of Which
were wrapped up in a 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 a
verdict of not guilty The accused, who
was greatly elated with the result Of tfe
trial and the effort Of his counsel, Invited
the latter into one Of the vacant jury
rooms. gAs soon as they were alone lie
slapped his counsel on the shoulder and
exclaimed. ga iib IrQ iIlR fa.5
" Free as water, amt Ia What's the
use Of trying inaii for stealing wheii
you're around2 Now s'pose YOU want
your pay" li9b hgtpa aaf (. ~ {.
ID" Yes have you got any thing to pay
with n asked the lawyer g q 1ha1l ~
"Lend me your knife and wen SEQ
about that. "ui git4onom F" & x EHa iet
The lawyer, slightly startled at such 4
proposition, rather reluctantly complied.
The accused Immediately commenced
ripping and cutting away ut the waist.
band of his pantaloons and soon pro-
duced the roll Of bills, for the stehling Of
which he had just been tried, wrapped up
in the identical piece Of oil silk described
by the witnesses for the prosecution, and
throwing it down on the.table before tile
antonished lawyer, exclaimed. llaq g'ii
81" There, take your pay out Of that; l
think there is enough there to pay you
tolerably welhn lari ei9l'aa z aai3'To
Why; you villain! yoti stole that
money after all, said the lawyer. "Do
you expect that i can take any of that
money p 9aiA a1p i.i'ii = ~
+ Stole that money. Why, what are
you talking about! Didn't those twelve
men up stairs there just say Iedidn't
steal it? What's the use of your trying
to raise questions of conscience, utter
twelve respectable men have given their
opinion upon the subject? Take your
pay, ont Of That and ask 10 questions,.----
Don't be modest in taking ] got it easy
enough, and you have worked harl
enough, fer yours "a ,tfU ,gaa 2nia
4. Our informant did not state how much
the lawyer took, but we presume the chap
didn't have much change left after our
friend had satisfied his y conscience" in
the, premises. ae be m lGH
| fa 81. a t....4 ... t~lu .aif Nh ANresA &