The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-03-09
From the DansviIIe New York Espre...l
A Case Of Conscience Lawyer with
Conscientious Scrubbed

We have lately heard a capital story con
nected with prominent lawyer of our Will
age, who has distinguished himself in the
defense of criminals as well as in connec-
ton with other trials, having frequently,
through his skill aided the most hardened
criminals to escape from justice Some
time ago, while friend was attending
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 guilty 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 p asked the lawyer
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 contriye to dig him out in
some way. So don't talk anv more about
guilt till you hear what the jury says"
Well, what about the pay?' said the law
yer,
" You just hold on till the trial is over;
give D. (the complaint) hi on the cross
examination, and that other fellow he has
got to back him up, Iand you'll have no trou-
bic 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 a
certain bauk 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 counsel in the case and receiving the
charge of the Judge, retired and soon re-
turned, with n verdict of not guilty. The
accused, iwho was greatly elated with the
result of the trial and the effort of his coun-
sell invited the latter into one of the vacant
Jury rooms As soon as they were alone he
Slapped his counsel on the shoulder and ex-
claimed:
q Free as water amt L What's the use
of trying man for stealing when you re
around Now suppose you want your
money p
"Yes have you got anything to pay with p
said the lawyer.
"Iend mo your knife and We see about
that"
The lawyer, slightly startled at such prop
osition, rather reluctantly complied The
accused Immediately commenced ripping
and cutting away ut the Waistband of his
pantaIoons, 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 witnesses for
the prosecution, and throwing 1t down on
the table before the astonished lawyer ex-
claiming: "There, take your pay cut Of
that I guess there is enough TO pay You
tolerably we'll.
why, you william, you stole that money
after all, said the lawyer. Do you expect
can take any of that money 2
"Stole that money! Why, what arc you
talking about2 Didn't them twelve men up
stairs there just say didn't steal it2
Thats the use Of your trying TO raise
question of conscience after twelve respecta-
be men have given their opinion the sub
iect2 Take your pay out OF that and ask
no questions Don't be modest in taking
Igot it easy enough, and you've worked
hard enough for it rrC- L-.s .
Oar 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 his % conscience In the premises