Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-03-27
ACasc of Conscience.

Under the above heading the Danvillc Ex-
press relates the following:
We have lately heard capital story con-
nccted with q prominent lawyer of our vii.
laee. who has distinguished himself in de-
fence of our criminals, as well as in connec-
tion with our 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 On
adjoining county, he was applied to by sin
guar specimen OF humanity, charged with
grand larceny, to defend him. The lawyer
very naturally inquired what he was accused
of. The party accused replied that somebody
had been mean enough to charge him with
stealing $3.50 in bank notes, and had got
him indicted.
"Are you guilty 2" asked the LAWYER.
"Thats none of Jour business" replied
the accused. They say that makes no diff
ference with you, whether man is guilty or
not, you will contrive to dig him out some
way. So don't talk any more about guilt un-
til you hear what the jury says"
Well, what about the pay?" the lawyer
says.
"You Just hold on till the trial is over !;
give K (the complainant) HI on the
examination, and that 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 protracted and exciting one. The
District Attorney proved that the money in
question was composed Of two $50 bills on
certain bank, anil the remainder all in $40
bills, all of which were wrapped up in piece
of silk. The jury after listening to the coun-
sci in the case, and receiving the charge of
the Judge, retired and soon returned with q
verdict of not guilty. The accused, who was
greatly ela!ed with the result of the trial and
the effort of bis counsel, invited the latter
into 9ne of the vacant jury rooms. As soou
as they were alone he slapped his counsel on
the shoulder and exclaimed:
"Free as water, amt /? What's the use
of trying man for stealing when you are
around Now s'pose you want your pay.n
Yes have you got anything to pay With"
said tue lawyer.
"Lend me your knife and we'll sec about
that"
! The lawyer, slightly startled at such prop
osition, rather reluctantly complied. The &C.
cused Immediately commenced cutting and
ripping away at the wa;stband of his panta
looms, and soon produced the roll of 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
astonshed lawyer, exclaimed
There, take your pay out Of that; guess
there is enough there to pay you tolerably
WELL"
"Why, you william you stole that money
after ali, said the lawyer. DO you expect
can take any of that money!
"Stole that money? Why, what are yon
talking about! Didn't them twelve men up
stairs there just say l didn't steal t2 What's
tue use Of your trying to raise question of
conscience, after twelve respectable men have
given their opinion upon the subject7 Take
your pay out of that and ask no questions.
Don't be modest in taking; got it easy
enough ard you've worked hard enough for
it."
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 bis conscience" in the premises.