North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-05-01
VOL. 6. NO. 38
ACONsCIENTIoUs LAWYER.

The Danville IN. Y.)- Express tells a
capital story connected with prominent
lawyer of that village, who has distin-
guished himself in the defense 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 he was at
tending court in an adjoining county, he
was applied to BY a singular specimen of
humanity charged with grand larceny, to
defend him. The lawyer very naturally
inquired what crime he was accused off,
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. g Are you guiltya' = asked
the lawyer. i
That's none of your business" replied
the accused. "They say it 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
the guilty till you hear what the jury says"
"Well, what about the pay?" said the
lawyer
You just hold on till the trial is over,
give 1.-the complainant) HI 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
a somewhat exciting and protracted one
The district attorney proved that the mon
ey in question was composed of two $50
bills on a certain bank, and the remainder
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 re-
ceiving the charge of the Judge, retired,
and soon returned with verdict Of not
guilty The accused, who was greatly
elated with the result of the trial and the
effort of his counsel, invited the latter into
one of the vacant jury room. AS soon as
they were alone he slapped his counsel on
the shoulder, and exclaimed: H'sI
Free as water amt l.? What's the
use Of trying a man for stealin' when you
are around? Now lsuppose YOU want
your pay?'
" Yes, have you got any thing to pay
with p said the lawyer. @
Lend me your knife and we'll seelabout
that" .. .a -
The lawyer, slightly startled at such a
proposition, rather reluctantly compiled
The accused Immediately commenced rip
ping and cutting away at the waistband OF
bis pantaloons, and soon produced the roll
of bills for the stealing of which 'he had
just been tried, wrapped up in the identical
piece of silk, described by the witnesses for
the prosecution, and throwing it down on
the table before the astonished lawyer,
exclaimed: There take your pay out of
that, guess there is enough to pay you
tollerably we'll ay
"Why, you villain you stole that mon
ey after ALL said the lawyer. Do you
expect can take any of that money!
"Stole that money! Didn't them twelve
men up stairs there just say didn't steal
it? What's the use of trying to raise a
question of consceuce after twelve respect
able men have given their opinion on the
subject? Take your pay out of
that amp ask no questions Don't be mod.
est in taking; got it easy enough, and
you've worked hard enough for it" aEi
Our informant does not state how much
the lawyer took, butwe presume the chap
didn't have much change left after our
friend had satisfied his conscience" in the
premises.