The Portland daily press., 1868-11-13
MISCELLANY.



II is nrobable that every lawyer OF any note
has heard of fine celebrated Luther Martin, of
MARYLAND. His great effort in the case Of
Aaron Burr. as well as his displays in the Sem
ate OF the United States, will never be forgot
ten. Trifes in the history OF genius are i'm
portant, as we hope to show in the story.
Mr.. Martin was on his way to Annapolis, to
attend the Supreme Court of the State. A
solitary passenger was in the stage with him,
and, as the weather was extremely cold, the
passengers soon resorted to conversation to
divert themselves from too much sensiDility
to the inclement weather. The young man
knew Martin by sig hit, and as he was also
lawyer, the thread of talk soon began to spin
itself out of legal matters.
Mr.. Martini" said the young man, 81 am
just entering on my career as lawyer; can
you tell me the secret of your great success
II, sir, you will give me from your experience
the key to distinction at the bar, L will"
"Will what?,' exclaimed Martin.
"Why, sir, will pay your expenses while
you are in Annapolis"
"Done. Stand to your bargain now, and
I'll furnish you with the great secret of my
success as lawyer"
The young man assented.
every WELL" said Mr.. Martin. "The whole
secret of my success is contained in one little
maxim, which laid down to guide me. II
you VIII iOHOW IL YOU CduiOt ldll 10 Succe6u.
1t is this: always be sure of your evil
dence.'"
The listener was very attentive smiled
threw himself back in philosophical posture
and gave his brain to the analysis, with true
lawyer patience, of always be sure of your
evidence
1t was too cold a night for anything to be
made peculiarly out Of the old mans wisdom
and so the promising adept in maxim learn
ing gave himself to stage dreams, in which he
was knocking and pushing his way through
the world by the all powerful words, "Always
be sure of your evidence"
The morning came, and Martin, with his
student, took rooms at the hotel in the city.
The only thing peculiar to the hotel in the
eyes OF the young man was that the wine
bottles and the ct ceteras of the fine living
seemed to recall wildly the maxim about the
evidence.
The young man watched Mr.. Martin
Whenever eating and drinking were concern
ed he was indeed man to be watched, es-
pecially in the latter, as he was immensely
fond of the after-dinner, after-supper, afte.-
everything luxury of wine. A few Gays were
sufficient to show the incipient legalst that
he would have to pay dearly for his knowl-
edge, as Mr.. Martin seemed resolved to make
the most of his part in the contract.
Lawyers, whether young or old, have legal
rights, and so the young man begins to think
OF the study of self-protection. 1t was GER
tainy solemn duty Common to animals
and men, it was noble instinct not to be
disobeyed, particularly where the hotel bills
OF lawyer were concerned. The subject
daily grew on the young man. 1t was all alb
sorbing 10 the mind and pocket. A week
elapsed; Mr.. Martin was ready TO return to
Baltimore. So was the young man, but not
IN the same stage with his illustrious teacher.
Mr.. Martin approached the counter in the
bar-room. The young man was an anxious
spectator near him.
"Mr. Clerk" said Mr.. Martin, "my young
friend, Mr., will settle my bill, agreeable
to the engagement.
The young man said nothing, but looked
everything.
"He will attend to it, Mr.. Clerk as we have
already had definite understanding on the
subject. He is pledged, professionally
pledged, to pay my bill" he hurriedly repeat
ed.
"Where is your evidence ?" asked tie young
man.
Evidence ?" sneered Martin.
"Yes, sir" said the young man, demurely.
Always be sure of your evidence, Mr. Mar
tin. Can you prove the bargain %
Mr.. Martin saw the snare, and pulled out
his pocket book, paid the bill, and with great
good humor assured the young man:
You will do, sir, and get through the
world with your profession without any ad-
vice from me.