Connecticut western news., 1872-06-28
THE FORTUNE OF LAW.

s-tl was cnalGlng one day With an old schoollellow of mine, who, though young, was barrister of some eminence, when the conversation turned upon his own career.
 "Peeple," he said, "give me credit for much moro than deserve. They com pliment me on having attained my position by talent, and sagacity, and all that; but the fact is, have been an extremely lucky man-I mean as regards opportunities. The only thing for which can really con sider myself entitled to any credit is, have always been prompt to take advan- tage of them.
 But," I observed, "you have high reputation for legal knowledge and acumen. l have heard several persons speak in terms of great praise of the manner in which you have conducted some of your last cases. .''
 "Ah! yes," he returned; "when a man is fortunate, the world soon finds fine things in him. There is nothing like glid- ing to hide lmperfections and bring out excellencies. But I will give you one in- stance of what call my luck It hap- pened year or two ago, and before I was quite as we'll known as I am now; it was trivial thing in itself, but very import ant in its consequences to me, and has ever since been very fresh ID my memory. I had been retained on behalf of a gentleman who was defendant in an action for debt, brought against him by bricklayer, to re- cover the amount of 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 <Ea or xl work, at price less by one-third than the amount claimed. Unfortunately he had 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 sweas, and had his as- sistant also ready to certify the amount of labor and material expended. I gave my opinion that it was hopeless case, and that the defendant had better agree to a compromise than incur any further ex- pense. However, he would not, and was tain to trust to the chapter of accidents for any chance of success.
 Near the town where the trial was to take place lived an old friend of mine, who, after the first days assize, carried me of ln 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. MT. Tritten. the gentle. man in question, was there also, and we had another disuussion as to the prospects of his defence. I know the fellow, said he, 'to be thorough rascal, and it is be. cause feel so confident that something will come out to prove it, that I am de termined to persist I sad I hoped il might be so, and we retired to rest.
 {" After breakfast, the next morning, my host drove ever in his dog cart to the as size town. We were just entering the outskirts when, from turning down by the old inn and posting house, where tho horse was usually put up, there came run ming towards us a lad pursued by man who was threatening him in savage man ner. Finding himself overtaken, the lad after the custom of small boys in such cir cumstances, lay down, curling himself up | and holding his hands clasped over hi, head. The man approached, and aftel beating him roughly with his fist, and try jag to pull him up without success, tool hold ol the collar of the boys coat, 'ans knocked his head several times on tn, ground. We were just opposite at th' moment, and my friend bade him let tn, lad alone, and not to be such a brute The fellow scowled, and telling us, with al oath, to mlnd our own business, for th, boy was his own, and he had right t, beat him if he pleased, walked of, ant | his victim scamped away in the opposit, direction. 4 re5- @ "The dog-cart was put up, and we pres ently went on to the court. The case wa opened in an off-hand style by the opposit council, who characterised the plea of contract as a shallow evasion, and callet 9he plaintiff as his principal witness What was my surprise to see get int the box the very man whom we had be T held hammering the boys head on tn curb-stone an hour before! An idea oc cured to me at the moment, and hal ayerted my face from him; though, in deed, it was hardly likely he would recog mise me under my forensic wig. He gay his evidence in a positive, definant sort G 5 way, but very clearly and decisively. H had evidently got his story we'll by heart and was determined to stick to it. I ros and made show of cross-examining hlm till I saw that he was getting irritate and denying things in wholesale style He had been drinking, too, thought, jus enough to make him insolent and restles. So, after a few moro unimportant ques , tions, ,.I asked him in a casual tone
 "t You are married, MT. MyersF
 "' Yes, am.'
 "'And you are kind husband, I sul pose7 3
 "'I suppose go; what then P
 "t Have any children blessed your uniol MT. Myers ? ,.., .,e.-
 "The plaiptiff's counsel here called C lthe judge to interfere. THe quesaes