The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-27

"Well it Is certainly hard case. ''observ-
cd Mr.. Sergeant Vaughan, with serious
and emphatic air.
save, you would say 10 II you only knew
it all !"
''IDdeed are there any peculiar circum-
stances in the case ~
"There are, indeed" answered the other,
With something between sigh and a grosn.
"ls the matter . secret ~ inquired Mr.
Sergent Vaughan, his curiosity being now
wound up TO more than an ordinary pitch.
mot 10 the least" said the other. al will
tell you the story If you do not think IL
tiresome, /" be added.
81 am all anxiety to hear it." said the
learned man.
swell them" said the other, s'about six
weeks since, a respectable corn-dealer IN
London, when on his way 10 Chelmsford,
met on the coach with two persons who were
perfect strangers TO him. The strangers
soon entered into conversation with him, u.
having learned the object If his visit to
Chelmsford, said That they were also gone
on there on precisely similar Grand
namely, TO MAKE some purchase Of corn
After furthe- conversation together, il was
suggested b. one Of the parties that il
would be much better for all three if they
could come TO an understanding together a.
70 what amount of purchase they should
make, and under what particular cIrcum-
stances these purchases should De made
for If they went into market sian dash, Ii,
result would be that 10 50 small place rs
Chelmsford they would raise the prices,
whereas, by operating slowly and ia concert.
the would be avoided.
The second party pretended to approve
biz hly of the suggestion, and further pro-
posed, 10 order to show that neither had the
start Of each other, that they should deposit
the same sum IF money in the hands of the
respectable landlord of che principal inn;
taking care that they did il 10 the or essence
Of witnesses, aud that special Instruction
should be given TO the landlord Iot give up
q single farthing 30 either, until all three
returned together to receive the whole, add
ing that if be did be would be held respon-
sible. The London merchant knowing the
landlord Of the inn to be man OF undoubt-
ID respectability, at once assented to the
proposal, and each Of tie three parties &C.
cordingly placed in bis hands, under the
circumstances stated, $3.50, making ESQ.
in ALL"
"Well," said Sergeant Vaughan, swell,
you certainly do interest me ia your siugu-
lar story. And what Was the result 2"
''Nhy this that scarcely had the three
parties left the inn minute, when one Of
the two strangers came running back and
said that on second thoughG that they had
all come TO the conclusion that il would be
better to make their purchases as early 10
the day possible, aud that consequently
The other Two had desired him 70 return and
get the Money
''Arj the landlord gave him the whole
sum At once 7" interposed Mr.. Vaughan
He did, indeed, unfortunately for him
self and me," answ cd the other.
sand what followed ?" inquired the learn
ed gentleman eagerly.
WY the Other stranger and the London
merchant returned in about an hour, and
demanded their money"
"When the landlord, Of course, told then
he had given it to the other"
SHE did z"
"Ou which suppose thew bring an &C
ton against the landlord ~
precisely 50, and seeing that defense
was useless, inasmuch as be delivered up
the money to one, when bis instructions
we're peremptory not 10 deliver it until all
three were present, nv friend Is 20 allow the
action to 20 undefended. Tue money must
be paid to the sharper-fOr both strangers
as the event proved, were shalpeIs and
also tue London merchant
Sand YOU have really mad up your MINI
70 pay IL -
"Oh certainly, because there is no help
for it,"
al am barris,er; I am Mr.. Sergeant
Vaughan, and will defend the case gratu-
itously."
The other rendered him a thousand
thanks, for bis apprehensiOns we're that all
efforts at defeEce would be perfectly use
less.
''We shall see" said the Sergeant signi6
cantly, "we shall see. You and your friend
the landlord will call on ne this evening at
three O'Clock to arrange for the defence to-
morrow"
TO morrow came, and the case was duly
callea 90. The poor inn-keeper, acting "
tbe advice Of Nj. Vaughan, bGt not perceis
ing 10 what way b co uld be benefited BY it,
defended case.
Eyerything proceeded so favorably for
the prosecution for some time, that, though
every person ia the court deeply sympa-
tbized with the unfortunate landlord, they
saa ~ possibility Of any other result than
decision against him. NJ. Sergeant Wang
nan, when the case for Prosecution was
closed, arose and said
Nov, gentlemen u the jury, YOU have
heard the evidence adduoed. You have seen
it proved ~ uuezc.ptional Witnesses, that
the defendant received the most positive IN
struction FROM al three not TO deliver the
money, or any part Of is,to either u The par
ties except in the presence Of ALL. Gentle
men, any client has got the money 10 bis
possession, ana : ready to give it up DheR
~ tHree parties -oms 10 demand il. Let The
absent party W brought 90 bis house, in
company witt the other two, aud everyone
will have bis " lney returned him"
The defense vas equally Ingenious and
comp lete The jury looked amazed at
each other as if some ncw world had burst
on their astonished gaze; 81 Gis all tb
spectators in court. The verdict, was oi
course, for the defendant Ii is neee.sarv
to add that the two who had abscOhdsd
with the money never returned, and conse-
quently the pcor landlord never lad to pay
a farthInp of the amOut