Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-06

The Pastoral Symphony" by the full
orchestra, was simply beautiful and in
truth, every part was plsasingly per-
formed.
There may have been other service,
equally as interesting, but we did not
attend them, and think none could have
been better enjoyed. STELLA.
Amecdoie OF Hon. IL icbard Fletcher.
Judge Pingrey tells another anecdote OF
the late Richard Fletcher:
Soon after his settlement at Salisbury,
N, H, as a lawyer he was called to go to
the neighboring town of Boseowen to de-
fend a suit brought by Ezekiel Webster,
then IN the full tide OF suoosssful practice
Ts ~-as J~e.ioo omit, and 1t was intir,a atad
that Webster had, what is sometimes
called pocket Justice" before whom he
tried his doubtful cases--or in other
words, the Justice of the Peace who had
signed the writ in the case against
Fletchers client was very easily convinced
by Webster's eloquence and his witnesses.
and almost uniformity decided in his
favor
Arrived at the place set for trial an
hour before the time, Fletcher purchased
a quire or two OF blank writs and quietly
proceeded to the house of the magistrate
introduced himself, and without saying a
word about the case to be tried that day,
after some casual conversation, Mr.
Fletcher informed the Justice, that in his
location at Salisbury he found it apparent
that his increasing legal practice would so
extend into the neighborhood of Bos.
cowen, rs that he needed some magistrate
in that town, and very politely ashaa him
TO SIGN all these writs in blank-present-
ing them The Justice fixed his auto
graph to each, and sitter spending some
time in an interesting colloquy with the
judicial dignitary, left him.
In due time all parties appeared at
Webster's office, and to the surprise of
everybody Mr.. Fletcher did not call for
Jury, but submitted his defence to the de-
of Webster's court. At the
conclusion of the hearing, to the astonish-
ment of all present except perhaps the
shrewd Attorney the Justice decided
in favor of the defendant.
Whereupon Fletcher's client, not knowing
the mornings interview, exclaimed:
ga righteous Judgment, most noble
Justice. You have given me more than
asked"
We are not informed whether the JUS
tice had occasion to use all that quire
Of blank writs, but presume they were
not wasted.
In these times when the "ten hour" and
'eight hour cry for the ilaboring man is
so popular, it may not be out of place TO
relate an incident of the toll of the pro-
fessional man.
In the celebrated Warren Bridge" case,
Mr.. Fletcher was engaged on the one side,
and Daniel Webster on the other.
Some time since we CHANGED to be in
with an eminent lawyer, who
in those days was youthful student in
Fletoher's office in Boston. He informed
us that in the preparation for the trial of
that case, Mr.. Fletcher was inoessant in
his labor. in reading, ransacking his library
authorities, collating legal opinion, and
.ra, cling line Of defence TO meet what
! Lnen would be a powerful effort and
ttaoL &c Ills adversary. Finally, when
10 nrenaratio u was completed, the notes
Il taken and az the learning of ancient
nd later times hsd been brought to bear
n the points in issue, ready to be used on
he morrow, Mr.. Fletcher weary and
worm. retired for the night to rest
The next morning he appeared at his
flee unusually cheerful, and incidentally
emarked to his student that he was feel
no yery well indeed, though he had slept
lone during the night. But in the long
stiffness of the midnight hours in reflect
ing upon the case, the subject seemsd to
ZONE to his mind with the use OF words
expressive, pointed, powerful, and withal,
n the mapping ont of his line of forensic
vein OF wit and ridioule,
,ven in the midst of the technicalities of
he law, had occurred to him, which he
believed could be used effectively. Hence
lis cheerfulness and rested frame of
mind.
And when the trial came on, the EVIL
lence closed, the briefs submitted and the
proceeded with, Mr.. Flether's
light thoughts came forth clothed in
anguage, such ss he, suoh e any orator
4 the hiel1sst ambition could desire.