The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1870-02-12
Il Good Story for LGaUyeTs.

1t is probable that every lawyer of any note
has heard of the celebrated Luther Martin, OF
Maryland His great effort in the case OF Aaron
Burr, as well as bis displays in the Senate OF the
United States, will never be forgotten. TRIES
in the history of genius are important, as we
hope to show in this story.
Mr.. Martin was on his way to Annapolis, 10
attend the Supreme Court of the State. soll-
tary passenger was in the stage with him, and,
as the weather was extremely cold, the passen-
gers soon resorted to conversation to divert them
selves from too much sensibility to the inclement
weather. The young man knew Martin by sight,
and, as he was also lawyer, the thread OF talk
soon began to spin itself out of legal matters.
Mr. Martin, said the young man, 4 am just
entering upon my career as lawyer can you
tell me the secret of your great success If, sir,
you will give me from your experience the Key
TO distinction at the bar, will
will what p exclaimed Martin.
why, sir, | will pay your expenses while you
are at Annapolis
Done. Stand to your bargain now, and
will furnish you with the great secret OF my sue
cess as a lawyer.
The young man assented.
Very we'll, said Mr.. Martin. The whole Sc
cret of my success is contained in one little max
i'm, which laid down early TO guide me. If
you follow it, you cannot fail to succeed 1t is
The listener was very attentive-smiled-thre
himself back in a philosophical posture, and gave
his brain TO the analysis with true lawyer pa
tience, of-'Always be sure of your evidence
1t was TOO cold night for anything to be
made peculiarly out of the old mans wisdom,
and so the promising adept in maxim learning
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 Mr.. Martin, with his
student, took rooms at the best hotel in the city.
The only thing peculiar to the hotel in the eyes
of the young man, was, that the wine bottles and
tue etceerds of fine living, seemed to recall very
vividy the maxim about the evidence.
The young man watched Mr.. Martin, Wher-
ever eating and drinking were concerned, he was
indeed man TO he watched, especially in the
latter, as he was immoderatey fond of the after
dinner, after-supper, after-every thing luxury OF
wine. A few days were sufficient to show the in-
cipient legalis that he would have to pay dear
ly for his knowledge, as Mr.. Martin seemed re-
solved to make the most of his part os the con-
tract.
Lawyers, whether young or old, have legal
rights, and so the young man began to think of
the study of sef-protection. II was certainly a
solemn duty 1t ran through all creation. Com
mon TO animals and men, it was noble instinct
not TO De dsooeyed, particularly where the motel
bills of lawyer were concerned. The subject
daily grew the young man. 1t was all-ab-
sorbing to 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 specta-
tor near him.
Mr. Clerk, said Mr. Martin, my young friend
Mr.. -, will settle my BILL agreeable to the en-
gagement.
The young man said nothing, but looked ev-
erything.
He will attend to il, Mr.. Clerk, as we have
already had a definite understanding on the sub
ject. He has pledged, professionally pledged to
pay my BILL he hurriedly repeated
Where is yOur eVidence?' asked the young man
Evidence Z? sneered Mr.. Martin.
'Yes, SIR said the young man demurely. Al
aOays be sure Of your eUidence, Mr. Martin. Can
you prove the bargain 2
Mr.. Martin saw the snare, and pulled out his
pocket-book, paid the bill, and with great humor
assured the young man
You will do, sir, to get through the world
with your profession without advice from me-