The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-16
The Fortune of Law.

II WAS chatting one day with an old
Il schoolfellow of mine, who, though
young, was a barrister of some eminence,
when the conversation turned upon his
own career.
"People," he said, "give me credit for
much more than / deserve. They compli-
ment me on having attained my position
by talent, and sagacity, and all that; but
the fact is, l have been an extremely lucky
mani mean as regards opportunities The
only thing for which l can really con-
slider myself entitled to any credit is,
have always been prompt to take advan-
tage of them.
"But," observed, "you have high
reputation for legal knowledge and
acumen. heard several persons speak in
terms of great praise of the manner in
which you have conducted some of your
late cases."
"Ah yes" he returned; "when a man
is fortunate, the world soon finds fine
things in him. There is nothing like gIld-
ing to hide imperfections and bring out
excellence. But will give you one in
stance of what call my luck. 1t happen
ed year or two ago, and before was
quite as we'll known as / am now; it was
trivial thing in itself, but very important
in its consequences to me, and has ever
since been very fresh in my memory.
had been retained on behalf of gentleman
who was defendant in an action of debt,
brought against him by bricklayer, to
recover the amout of the bill, stated to be
due for building work done on the gentle
mans premises. The owner refused pay
ment on the ground that verbal contract
had been made for the execution of the
work, at a price less by one-third than the
amout 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 if
such contract had been entered into, it was
vitiated by alterations, to all of which he
was prepared to swear, and had his as
sistant also ready to certify the amount of
labor and material expended gave my
opinion that it was ahopeless case, and
that the defendant had better agree to
compromise than incur any further ex-
pense. However, he would not, and was
fain to trust to the chapter of accidents for
any chance Of success.
''Near the town where the trial was to
take place lived friend of mine, who,
after the first days assize, carried me off
in his carriage to dine and sleep at his
house, engaging TO drive me over next
morning in time for this case, which stood
next on the list. Mr.. Tritten, the gentle
man in question, was there also, and we
had another discussion as to the prospects
of his defence. 81 know the fellow" said
he T" to be a thorough rascal, and it is be-
cause feel so confident that something
will come out to prove it, that am de-
termined to persist" l said hoped it
might be So and we retired to rest
AFTER breakfast, the next mornig, my
host drove over in his dog-cart to the assize
town. We were just entering the outskirts
when, from turning down by the old inn
and posting house, where the horse was
usually put up, there came running towards
us a lad pursued by man, who was
threatening him in savage manner. Find
ing himself overtaken the lad, after the
custom OF small boys in such circumstan-
ces, lay down, curling himself up, and
holding his hands clasped over his head.
The man approached, and after beating
him roughly with his fist, and trying to
pull him up without success, took hold of
the collar of the boys coat, and knocked
his head several times on the ground. We
were just opposite at the moment, and my
friend bade him let the lad alone, and not
to be such brute. The fellow scowled,
and telling us, with an oath, to mind oul
own business, for the boy was his own, and
he had right to beat him If he pleased,
walked off and his victim scampered away
in the opposite direction.
The dog-cart was put up, and we pres
emily ent on to the court. The case wal
opened in an off-hand style by the opposite
council, who Characterised the plea of I
contract as shall ow evasion, and callet
the plaintiff as his principal witness. Wha