Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-11-14

A Good Story for Lawyers.

A Good Story for Lawyers.
1t is probable that every lawyer O
any note has heard of the celebrated
Luther Martin, of Maryland. His grea
effort in the case of Aaron Burr, as vel
as his displays in the Senate of tht
United States, will never be forgotten
Trides in the history of genius are i'm
portant, as We hope to show In tn
story.
Mr.. Martin was on his way to Annap
oils to attend the Supreme Court of ths
State. A solitary passenger was in th'
stage with him, and, as the weather
was extremely cold, the passengers soor
resorted to conversation to divert them
selves from too much sensibility to the
inclement weather. The young mar
knew Martin by sight, and as he was
also lawyer, the thread of talk soor
began to spin itselfout of legal matters
"Mr. Martini" said the young man
81 am just entering on my career as 8
lawyer; can you tell me the secret Of
your great success? If, sir, you will
give from your experience the key tc
distinction at the bar, will"
"Will what?'' exclaimed Martin.
"Why, sir, will pay your expenses
while you are at Annapolis.
"Done. Stand to your bargain now,
and I'll furnish you with the great Sc.
cret of my success as lawyer.
The young man assented.
"Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Martin. The
whole secret of my success is contained
in one little maxim, which I laid down
early to guide me. If you follow it, you
cannot fail to succeed. 1t is this !: A.
,Oays be sure of your euidence."
The listener was very attentive, smil.
ed, threw himself back sin very philo.
sophical position, and gave his brain to
the analysis, with true lawyer patience,
Of" Always be sure of your evidence.
It was too cold a night for anything
to be made, pecuuiarily out of the old
mans wisdom, and SO the promising
adept in maxim learning gave himself
to stage dreams, in which be was knock.
ing and pushing his way through the
world by the all-powerful words, " "Al-
ways be sure of your evidence"
The morning came, aud Mr.. Martin,
with his student, took rooms at the best
hotel in the city. The only thing pc
culiar to the hotel, in the eyes Of the
young man, was that the wine bottles
and the etceteras of fine living seemed
to recall! very wildly the maxim about
evidence.
The young man watched Mr.. Mar
tin. Wherever eating and drinking
were concerned he was indeed man to
be watched, especially in the latter, as
he was immoderately fond of the after
dinner, after supper, after everything
luxury of wine. A few days were suf.
6cient to show the incipient legalist that
he would have to pay dearly for his
knowledge, as Mr.. Martin seemed re-
solved to make the most of his con-
tract.
Lawyers, whether young or old, have
legal rights, and SO the young man be-
gan to think of the study of self-pro-
lection. 1t was certainly solemn du y.
1t ran through the whole creation. Com.
mon to animals and men, it was noble
instinct not to be disobeyed. particular
" where the hotel bills Of lawyer were
concerned. The subject daily grew on
the young man. 1t was all absorbing
to the mind and pocket. A week elaps-
ed and MIR. 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 MIR. Martin "my
young friend Mr. will settle my
bill, agreeable to a previous engage
ment.'
The young man said nothing but
looked everything.
"He will attend to it Mr.. Clerk, as
we have already had a definite under
8. .anding on the subject. He is pledg-
ed, professionally pledged to pay my
bill," be hurridly repeated.
"Where is your evidence ~ asked
the young man
"Evidence 2" sneered Martin.
"Yes, SIR said the young man, de-
murely. "Always be sure Of your cvi-
dence, Mr. Martin. Can you prove the
bargain?"
Mr.. Martin saw the snare and pulled
out his pocketbook, paid tine bill, and
with great good humor assured the
young man
"You will do, sir, and get through
the world with your profession without
advice from me-"
AN Trishman vas ooino alopo the