The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-24
THE FORTUNE OF LAW.

l was chatting one day with an old
schoollcllOw Of mine, who, though young,
was barrister oi some eminence, when
the conversation turned upon bis own
career. ...a| .
"Pceplc," he said, "giye me credit for
much more than deserve. They com.
plimcnt me on having attained my position
by talent, and sagacity, and all that but
the TACT is, have been an extremely lucky
mani mean rs regards opportunities
The only thing for which | Can really con.
slider myself entitled to any credit Is,
have always been prompt to take adyan.
tasc Of them.
"But," l observed, "you have high
reputation for legal knowledge and acumen
| have heard several persons speak iu
terms Of great praise ol the manner in
which you have conducted some Of your
last cases" ...... .t..... 49,.
"Ah! yes" he returned; awhcn n
man is fortunate, the world soon finds line
things in him. There is nothing ike Gid.
ing to hide imperiections and bring out
excellencics. But | will give you Que in
stance Of what call my luck. 1t hap
pcned yelr or two ago, and before | was
quite as well known us am now; 1t was
a trivial thing in itself but very import.
ant in its consequences to me, aud has ever
since been very fresh in my memory.
had been retained on behalf Of gentleman
who was defendant in an action for debt
brought against him by n bricklnyer, to re-
cover tho amount Of bill, stated to be
due Tor building work done on the gentle
mans premises. The owner refused pay
ment on the ground that verbal contract
had been made for tie execution Of the
work, at price less by one.third than the
amount claimed. Unfortunately he had
no WITNESSES to the fact. The man denied
the contract, alleged that no specification
had been made, and pleaded, finally, that
Il such contract had been entered into, Il
was yitiatOd by alterations, TO all ofwhcl
he was prepared to swear, and had his az
sistant also ready to certify the amount Ol
labor aud material expended. gave my
opinion that it was a hopeless case, ant
that the defendant had better agree to ,
compromise than incur any further ex
pense. However, he would not, and | wa!
lain to trust to the chapter oil accidents fol
any chance Of success.
"NCar the town where the trial was L
take place lived an old friend OF mine, who
after the first days assize, carried me Of
IN bis carriage to dine and sleep at BIZ
house, engaging to drive me over mex
morning in time Tor this case, which stoot
next on the list. Mr.. Trittcn, the gentle
man in question, was there also, and we
had another discussion as to the prospects
ofhiydeiencc. Il know the fellow, said
he, to be thorough rascal. and 1t Is be-
cause feel SO confident that something
will come out to prore Il, that am de
tetmined to persist ! SAID hoped II
might be so, and wcrctifcd to rest.
6After breakfast, the next morning, my
host drove overin his dog cart to tho rs
size town. We were just entering the
outskirts when, from turning down BY
the old inn and posting .horse, where the
horse was usually put up, there came run
ming towards Us a lad pursued by man
who was threatening him in savage man
ner. Ending himself oyertakcn, the lad
alter tue custom oismall boys in such cir
cumstances, lay down, curling himself up
and holding his hands clnsped over hil
head. The man approached, and after
beating him roughly with his fist, and try
Inc to pull him up without success, took
hoId Of the collar Of the boys coat, and
knocked his head several times on the
ground. We were just opposite at tue
moment, and my friend babe him let the
/. lad alone, and not to be such brute.
The lelIow scowled, and telling US with an
oath. to mind our own business, for the
boy was bis own, and he had q right to
beat him II he pleased, walked Of, and
bis victim scamped away in the opposite
direction. M -,
"The dog.cart was put up and We pres
emily went on to The court. The case was
opened in an ol.Aand style by the opposite
council, who characterized the plea Of
contract as a shallow evasion, and called
the plaintiff as bis principal witness
What was my surprise to see get int
the box the very man whom we had be
held hammCring the boys head on th
curb.stone an hour before An idea oC
cured to me at the moment, and ba
lycrtcd my iacc from hiul; though, II
decd, It was hardly likely be would reco9
Misc me under my forensic wig. lie CAV
bis evidence in a positive, dctlnant sort !,
way, but very clearly and decisiyely. II
had evidently got bis story well by hear
and was determined to stick to Il. / ro
n d made show Of cross-eIamining hll
II saw that he was getting irritatI
nd denying things In q Wholesale styi
nc had been drinking, too, ! thought, u
~ ough to make him insolent and restle'
-, alter a few moro unimportant quo
~uh ! asked him in casual tome
Yenurs married, Mr.. MysrT