Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1867-04-11
A Clear Case of Conscience.

A Clear case OF conscience.
We have lately heard of a capital
story connected with a proinent
lawyer Of our village, who has dis
tinguished himself in the defence 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 our
friend was attending court in an adj
joining county, he was applied to
by a grand larceny, to defend him.
The lawyer very naturally inquired
what crime he was accused Of. The
party accused replied that some
body had been mean enough to
charge him with stealing $3.50 in
bank notes, and had got him indict-
ed.
care you guilty." asked the law
yer.
That's none of your business"
replied the accused. "They say
that makes no difference 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"
"Well, what about the pay?'
said the lawyer.
"You just hold on till the trial is
over; give K (the complaint)
HI on the cross-examination, and
tL.y other fellow he has got to
back him up, and you'll have no
trouble about the pay"
The trial commenced, and prov
ed 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, and the remainder
all in $40 bills, all Of which were
wrapped up in a piece of oil-silk.-
The jury, after listening to the
charge of the judge, retired, and
soon returned with a virdict 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 ofthe va
cant jury-rooms. AS soon as they
were alone, he slapped his counse
on the shoulder and exclaimed:
Gree as water, amt l? What!
the use of trying man for steal
ing when you're around? Now,
suppose you want your pay"
Yes, have you got anything tc
pay with ?" said the lawyer.
"Lend me your knife and vel
see about that"
The lawyer, slightly startled a
such a proposition, rather relectant
ly complied. The accused imme
diately commenced ripping and
cutting away at the waistband OF
his pantaloons, and soon produced
the roll of bills for the stealing ol
which he had Just been tried, wrap
ped up in the identical piece of oil.
silk described by the witnesses for
the prosecution, and throwing it
down on the table before the aston
ished lawyer, exclaimed
"There, take your pay out OF
that; l guess there is enough there
to pay you toIerably well.'
"Why, you villain! you stole
that money after all, !" said the law
yer. "Do you expect l can take
any of that money!"
"Stole that money! Why, what
are you talking about Didn't them
twelve men up stairs there just say
l didn't steal it2 What's 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
out of that and ask no questions
Don't be modest in taking; l got
it easy enough, and you've worked
hard enough for it,"
Our informant did not state how
much the lawy er took, but we pre-
sumo the chap didn't have much
change left after our friend had sat
isfed his conscience" in the prem
ises.
/ The Toledo Commercial says