Middletown transcript., 1868-02-22
Interesting Rssainisesnes.

"a. .a IrHsg- Hsaa .
A gentleman of considerable fortune in
England had two sons, one Of whom caused
him much anxiety from his dissipated char
acter and conduct. The elder brother OF
length, asked permission Of his father at
visit, some foreign cline, which was read
lily granted. -. .,..r ,-,,,!. ,.,,,..,|,',.,.
:. 1t was not long after he left home be-
fore the ship he sailed in was captured by
an Algerine corsair, and he was taken
prisoner and conveyed to Algiers, where
he remained number of years without an
opportunity of sending to or hearing from
home. AT length he effected his escape,
and returned to his native land very desti-
tute; when he arrived at the place where
he was born, he was shocked to hear that
his father had been dead several years, and
his yonger brother was in full possession
of his estates. On this information he
proceeded Immediately to his brotheris
house, where on his arrival he stated who
he was, and recounted his misfortunes.
He was at first received with evident
tokens Of surprise; but what was his as
tonishment, after his brother had recovered
himself, to find that he (the younger bro
.her } was determined to treat him as an
imposter, and ordered him to quit his
house, for he had number Of, witnesses
to prove the death Of his elder brother
abroad. y '''e E'I p ''.''
Being thus received, he returned to the
village, but met with, no better success, as
those who would be likely to give him as
sistance were either dead or had gone
away. In this predicament he succeeded
in finding an attorney, to whom he related
the circumstances exactly az they stood,
and requested his advice. t 'l',''@ '''
The attorney, seeing the desperate state
in which the affair stood, observed that as
his brother was in possession, he would be
likely to have recourse to, very unjust
means, by suborning witnesses, ect. /; but
that he would undertake to advocate the
cause on condition that if he proved sue
cessfulhe should receive thousand pounds
($5,000); "if the contrary" said the at
torney, q as you have nothing to give, /
shall demcnd nothing" To this proposal
the elder brother agreed. IT should be
remarked, that at this time bribery and
corruption were at such pitch that it was
no uncommon thing for Judge, jury, and
the whole court to be perverted !; and the
lawyer naturally concluded, this being the
case, that the elder brother stood but a
very indifferent chance, although he him
self had no doubt of the validity Of his
claim. y In this dilemma. he resolved to
take a journey to London, and lay the case
before Sir Matthew Hale, then Lord Chief
Justice Of the Kings Bench-a character
no less conspicuous for his abilities than
for bis unshaken integrity and strict inn
partiality. 1'''' ''''l ~ . - , ia ''' '''-
Sir Matthew heard the. relation of the
circumstances with patience, as likewise
tho attorneys suspicious of the. means
that would be adopted to deprive the elder
brother Of his right He (Sir Matthew
desired him to go on with the regular pro-
cess Of the law, and leave the rest to him.
Thus the matters stood till the day of
trial came on--a few days previous to
which Sir Matthew left home and travelled
until he came within short distance of
the town where the matter was to be de-
cided; when passing miller's house, he
directed the coachman to stop, while he
alighted from his carriage and went into
the house. After saluting the miller, he
told him that he had request to make
which he hoped would be complied with,
which was to exchange clothes with him
and allow him to leave his carriage there
until he should return Tin day or two).
The miller at first supposed that Sir
Matthew was joking, but on being convin-
ced to the contrary, he would fain have
brought his best suit; but no, the chief
justice, equipped with the miller's clothes,
hat, and wig. proceeded on foot the fol-
lowing morning.
Understanding the trial between the
brothers was to take place that day, he
went early to the court hall, without hav-
ing communication with any one ON, the
subject. BY mixing in the crowd, he had
soon an opportunity Of having the elder
brother pointed out to him. 7,o i, ,......., b.
He soon accosted him with, ..sWell, my
friend, how is your case likely to 60 on?'''
~ do not know" replied he. .'but / am
afraid but badly. for / have reason to be-
lieye that both judge and jury are deeply
bribed; and for myself. have nothing but
the justice of the cause to depend on, un-
supported by the property which my bro
ther can command, have but faint hope
Of succeeding" T-.-.5 F.. -.
He then recounted to the supposed mil
Ter the whole of his tale, and finished by
informing him Of the agreement which had
taken place between himself and the law
yer; although Sir Matthew was in posses
sion Of the principal part Of the circum-
stances, yet the ingenious relation he now
heard left no doubt in bis mind Of his be-
ing 81 the e law lawful heir 70 the estate in ques-
ton. 80 '
Sir Matthew being determined to act
accordingly, he, with this view. begged
the eldest brother not to be discouraged
forg says he, perhaps it may be in
my power TO be Of service TO you. / don't
know that can, being, as you see, but q
poor miller; but viii do what / can, il
you will follow my advice it cant do YOU