The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-03-27
A Case of Conscience.

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We have lately heard capital story
connected with a prominent lawyer of our
village, who has distinguished himself in
the defence of criminals, as well as in con-
nection with other trials, having frequent
ly, through his skill, aided the most hard
ened criminals to escape from justice. Some
time ago, while our friend was attending
court in an adjoining county, he was ap'
piled to by singular specimen OF htimani:
ty charged with grand larceny, to defend
him. The lawyer very naturally inquired
what crime he was accused Of The party
he accused replied that somebody had
been mean enough to charge him with
stealing $3.50 in bank notes, and had got
him indicted.
care you guilty ?" asked the lawyer.
"That's none of your business y replied
the accused. "They say that makes no
difference with you, whether 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 tho
jury says"
dwell what about the pay ?" said the
lawyer.
aYou just hold on till the trial is over;
give 1.-THE COMPLAINANT fits OH the cross
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, and the re-
mainder all in $40 bills, all of which were
wrapped in piece of oil silk. The jury,
after listening to the counsel in the case,
and receiving the charge of the Judge,
retired, and soon returned with verdict
of not guilty. The accused, who was
greatly elatcd with the result of the trial
and effort of his counsel, invited the latter
into one of the vacant jury rooms. AS
soon as they were alone he slapped his
counsel on the shoulder, and exclaimed:
"Free as water, amt L? What's the
use of trying a man for stealing when
you're around? Now I suppose you want
payy2" w.. n,vo von oot ,nv,niDs to "a,
with ?n said the lawyer
"Lend me your knife and we'll see about
that
The lawyer, slightly startled at sush q
proposition, rather reluctantly complied.
The accused Immediately commenced rip
ping and cutting away at the waistband
of his pantaloons, and soon produced the
roll of bills for the stealing of which he
had inst been tried, wrapped up in the
identical piece of oil silk described by the
witnesses for the prosecution, and throw
ing it down on the table before the as
toInished lawyer, exclaimed: "There, take
your pay out of that guess there is en-
ough to pay you tolerably we'll"
"Why, you william! you stole that money
after all" said the lawyer. "Do you ex-
pect 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 didn't steal
it? WHAT'S the use OF you trying to raise
question of conscience after twelve res
pectable men have given their opinion on
the subject? Take your pay out of that
and ask no questions. Don't be modest
in taking; got it easy enough, and you
have worked hard enough for it"
Our informant did not state how mnch
the lawyer took, but we presume the chap
didn't have much change left after our
friend had satisfied his conscience" in the
premises