The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-06-21

We are none ofus overlearned In the
law, or overcharged with common
sense; but whatever of the latter we
may possess we may practice without a
license, and ask no favors Of High
Commissions or Boards of Arbitration.
Tom Jones gets into little dispute
with his neighbor, John Brown, which
is settled at last by his being uncer-
enormously knocked down and beaten.
He is carried home to Mrs. Jones in a
bruised and bloody condition and Mrs.
Jones, being sensitive person. and in
situation that makes her peculiarly
susceptible to untoward impressions,
brings prematurely into the world q
pair OF twins. After this, she falls nat
uraIly into a weak and nervous state,
that units her for doing the work of
her family. Consequently upon this,
Tom Jones becomes embarrassed in hi ,
affairs, and takes to drink and to idle
ness. The consequences Of the mishap
90 on multiplying in various directions,
until we can no longer follow the
threads, of second, third, and fourth
causes; and the indirect or consequent
tai damages widen like the waves from
a dropping pebble, until the whole
ocean OF life responds to the original
disturbance.
Meanwhile the law comes in and
takes cognizance of Mr.. Browns
violence. He is arrested by the
police, and brought before q justice.
The justice tecemes convinced
of the facts of the assault, and.
with the statute in such case made
aud provided before him, sentences Mr.
Brown to pay a fine of ten dollars, 10
default Of which payment he is to be
i'm prisoned-we will say-for thirty
days. He pays the fiue with trium-
plant air, and walks out of court.
Mr.. Jones simply says: This is all
very we'll now, but ! have still claim
tor indirect or consequential damages
end these are not to be determined to-
day, or this year, or this decade" Sub
seouently be prosecutes Mr. Brown tor
consequential damages, charging him -
FIRST, With the ruin Of his wife's
health, and the loss Of her housewiiely
services.
Second, With the loss of the labor Of
two boys for q given period OF years.
Third, With the cost Of the liquor
which his domestic trials have induced
him to drink.
Fourth, With the value of the labor
which his drinking habits have induced
him to squander.
FTfh With the loss OF the satisfac-
tons that come from the possession Of a
healthy and happy wife, and a pair OF
affectionate and industrious children.
Sirth, With the loss Of his selt.respect
and the respect OF the community.
Seventh, But there il no end OF the
list, aud no possible footing up Of the
figures in the column. 1t may amount
to five thousand, or ten thousand, or
twenty thousand dollars. Whatever the
sum may be, Mr.. Jones, IN his SCARED
and silly old age, is told by the justice
that he has no case, that no such thing
as an estimate aud statement Of conse-
quental damages are possible TO finite
mind, aud that he cannot recognize his
claims. Perhaps it is not impertinent
to state that Mr.. Brown, who becomes
very angry at learning what Mr.. Jones
is trying to do, would save his dignity
by simply laughing at claim which in
the nature OF the case can never be re-
duced to figures and never satisfied.
Now if Mr.. Jones has sense enough
left to comprehend the situation, and
candor enough to acknowledge his
error, there is no reason why he and
Mr. Brown may not sit down and
smoke many a pipe together in their
old age, and he very good neighbors.
And if any OF Jones friends should
accuse him of backing down and sur.
rendering, etc, they would simply show
themselves the enemies of good neigh
borhood and common sense. Jones un'
doubtedly had bad advisers, who ought
to have known better than to put him
up to so foolish a business; and the
quicker he gets rid of them the better.
There is a principle underlying this
homely illustrative case which governs
large things as we'll as little. No GPlo'
macy can change it, no pettifogging OF
| special pleading can subvert it. Conse'
quential damages in all wrong doing
are simply incslculable, and beyond
the cognizauce of. human tribunals Of
every sort.-Dr. j. G. Holland, in Serb
ncrs for July.