Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-03-13
A Conscientious Lawyer.

The Danville tN. Y. Express tells a cap
ltai story connected with prominent law
yer OF that village, who has distinguished
himself In the defense of criminals, as well
as IN connection with other trials, having
frequently, through his skill. aided tie most
hardened criminals to escape from justice.
Some time ago, while he was attending
court IN an adjoining county, he was applied
TO by a singular specimen of humanity
charged with grand larceny, to defend him.
Ihe lawyer very naturally inquired what
crime he was accused Of The party ac-
cused 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. asked the lawyer.
That's none of your business, replied
the accused, They say that makes no diff
ference with you; whether man is guilty
or not, You will contriye to dig him out some
way. So don't talk any more about the
guilt till you hear what the jury says
We'll, what about the pay?" said the
lawyer.
You just hold on till the trial is over
give r. tthe complanant) HI on the
cross ss-examinatiou, 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 exciting and protracted one. The
District attorney proved that the money in
question was composed of two $50 bills on a
certain bank, and the remainder ali in $40
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 re
turned with verdict of not guilty. The
accused, who was greatly elated with the
L.. r L 4 ~. r
sci, invited the latter into one of the vacant
slapped his counsel on the shoulder, and ex-
claimed:
Free as water. ain'tI? What's the use
of trying man for stealing when you are
around? Now | suppose you want your
pay?'
Yes; have you got anything to pay
with p said the lawyer
Lend me your knife and we'll see about
that. -
The lawyer, slightly startled at such a
proposition, rather reluctantly complied
The accused immediately commenced rip
ping and cutting away at the waistband o.
his pantaloons, and soon produced the rol
of bills for the stealing of which he hat
just been tried, wrapped up in the identica
piece of oil silk described by the witnesse:
Tor the pr0Secutlou ana throwing IN uoWi
on the table before the astcnished lawyer
exclaimed: There. take your pay out o.
that; guess there is enough to pay yot
tolerably we'll "
Why, you villain you stole that meme,
after all, y said the lawyer. DO you expec
L can take any of that money!"
''Stole that money! Didn't them twelve
men up stairs there just say [ didn' steal it
What the use of trying to raise question
of conscience after twelve respectable mel
have given their opinion on the subject
Take yonr pay out OF that and ask no ques
tions Don't be modest in taking | got i
easy enough, and you We worked hard enough
| for it. -
Our informant does not state how much
the lawyer took, but we presume the chal
| didn't have much change left after ou
friend had satisfied his ''conscience" in tn
premises