Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-03-08
A Case of Conscience.

Under the above heading the Dan
, vile Express relates the following:
We have lately heard a capita
story connected with a prominen
lawyer of our village, who has dis
tlnguised himself in the defense oil
our criminals. as we'll as in connec
tion with other trials, having frequent
ly, through his skill. aided the most
hardned criminals to escape from jus
tice. Some time ago, while our friend
&. was attending court in an adjoining
county. he was applied to by a singu
lar specimen Of humanity, charged
with grand larceny, to defend him
The lawyer very naturally inquired
what crime he was accused of. The
accused replied that somebody had
been mean enough to charge him with
stealing $3.50 in bank notes, and had
got bin indicted.
"Are you guilty ?' asked the law
yer.
"That's none Of your business" re-
piled the accused. "They say that
makes 10 difference with you, wheth-
er man is guilty or not, you will try
to die him out in some way. So don t
talk any more about guilty until you
hear what the jury says"
We'll. what about the pay?" said
the lawyer.
"You inst hold on until the trial is
over; give K (the complain
anti HI on the cross examination.
and the other fellow he has got to
back him up and you'll have no troub-
le about the pay"
The trial commenced and proved
to be a somewhat prOtracted and ex-
citing one. The District Attorney
proved the money in question was
composed of two $50 bills on a Ger
tain bank, and the remainder all in
$40 bills, all Of which were wrapped
Iup in a piece of silk. The jury, after
listening to the counsel in the charge
of the Judge retired and soon return
ed with a verdict Of not guilty. The
accused, who was greatly elated with
the result of the trial and effort of his
counsel. invited the latter into one of
the vacant Jury rooms. As soon as
they were alone he slapped his coun-
sci on the shoulder. and exclaimed:
Free as water, amt II" What's
the use Of trying a man for stealing
when you're around? Now spose
you want your yay.'
Yes; have you got anything to
pay with ?' said the lawyer.
Lend me your knife and we'll see
about that"
The LAWYER rather startled at such
a proposition rather reluctantly com
piled. The accused Immediately COM
mcnced ripping and cutting away at
the waistband of his pantaloons, and
soon prodaced the roll of bill S for the
stealing of which he had just been
tried, wrapped up in the indicated
piece Of silk described by the wit
ness for the prosecution, and throwing
it down on the table before the aston
iShcd lawyer, exclaimed:
There. take your pay out of that !;
| guess there is enough to pay you
tolerably we'll"
"Why, You villain! you stole that
money aier all, said the lawyer
DO you expect can take any Of that
money!
! Stole that money! Why, what are
you talking about? Didn't them -
men up stairs there just say didn't
steal it? What's the use of YOUR
trying to raise the question of con-
science, after twelve respectable men
have given their opinion on the sub
ject? Take your pay out of that
and ask no questions. Don't be mod
est in taking; | got it easy enough
and you've worked hard enough for
it."
Our informant did not state how
much the lawyer took, but we presume
the CHIP didu't have much change left,
alter our friend had satisfied his "con-
science" in the premises.