Middletown transcript., 1873-02-01
From tie SdrannsA Nsws.
How q Witness Got Even With q
Lawyer.
MiDDLErowN. Del. Jan. II, 1873.

AOW . vvltuOo0 0Vb 0v0o 4b0 q
Lawyer.
MipDLErowN, DEL. Jan. II, 1873.
Dear Colonel The announcement 10
your paper not long since, Of the death oi
that cstimable man aud excellent citizen.
Valentine Crest, recalled to my mind so
wildly an incident which occurred be-
tween himself and Savannah lawyer, OF
which was the only spectator, that l
cannot reprcss the desire TO communicate
it for the amusement Of others.
Mr.. Crest was . native OF a foreign
couutry-of Sweden. l bclicvc-but set
tied in Liberty couty, Ga. when quite 4
young man. by bis courtesy and probity
he soon won the esteem and confidence Of
the noble people amongst whom he lived
and by industry, energy and economy be
acquired valuable property. Mr.. Crest
was known rs o strictly honorable aud
truthful man. His testimony, therefore.
before jury in that county would have
controlling influence.
As agent aud oversecr for q gentlemen
who lived in Athens. Ga. but owned large
planting interests in Liberty county. Mr..
Crest had, ignorau,ly and unntentionally.
committed ,respass upon the adjoining
lani. Of li,igous neighbor For that u
sui, was instituted against the up-couutry
proprietor. A young lawyer Of Savannah.
who has realized. in the prominent posi-
ton he occupies at that very able Bar the
high promise Of distinction be then gave.
was employed by the Plaintiff to prosecute
the claim
Mr. Crest was the only Witness for the
defendant: it was, therefore, highly i'm.
portan, that his testimony should be I'M
peached, or rendered invalid To accom-
pli.h this result, the lawyer took advan.
,age Of Mr.. Gres,s imperfect control of
the English language and a natural bash
funcs- ,ha, rendered him easily confused
By skillfu cross in,errogations the wit
ness was completely tied up. Embar-
4 rasssd at the start by his angus, surround
ings by the shrewd skill Of the lawyer
he was soon cnvrlopei in maze of in
+ copsistcncics aud contradictions. The
/ consequence was that the testimony OF
this all.impor'ant witness Of the defendan Mt
+ ed, Mr.. Crest left the witness stand Of
course the case was won by the plaintiff ;
and the disappointment and modification
/ Of Mr. Crest were So great that he after
wards resented the conduc, Of the lawyer
by refusing to recognize him as an acquain- :
tance
The foregoing happened some time be-
d kn nf kap hat 10
relate occurred. was then boy Of si1
teen or seventeen years Of age. and was
/ on a v., to the family Of brother Of our
lawyer who lived in Liberty county
During the session of the court, at the
time speak Of the lawyer also visited
his brother, aud insisted that should &C
company him to Ilinesyillc.
On our return in the afternoon. wc
overlook Mr. Crest on horseback when
the lawyer refined in his horses and began
the following coilogny
Judge II l--,;ood evening Mr. Gre.,
Mr. Il --tsullcnly, and with ouly a
glance a, the Judge good evening Shuje
Judge II MIR. Crest you have never
felt kindly TO me since the trial Of the
-casc, in which you were witness
Now, have respect for you aud don
wan, you to be angry with me. OF course
| was obliged to do the best could for
my client, but did not mean to hur,
your feelings don't want you to feel
unfricndly with me any longer, and
want you to agree tina, We shall be friends
Mr.. G.-Well Shuje. may be so but
no like dc lawyers. no how.
Judge ll.-Oh, but there you are
wrong That is because you do not know
them we'll You will 6nd, upon bette,
acquaintance. they are capital set Of iel
lows Of course. they sometimes bother
and confuse witnesses; and frequently
they say pretty sharp things to each 9TH
or. One who does not understand them
might suppose they would fight; bu,
when they leave the court house its al
right with them again. They laugh il
Of US good joke. Now, you mus, think
better OF lawyers, and | am sure you vii
when you know US better.
Mr. G.--May be SO, Shuje bu, nevcl
sec hog 60 through de mire less b,
bring out somc Of de mud on him. ant
Mrpers hare to do With so much rascalif,
ting tink iey come out dc damn rasca
demaif.
LA, ha. laughed tho Judge. as b,
whipped his horses into tro,, aud part
ed COMPANY With Mr.. Crest; but it va
not hearty laughter, and my impression
was that that time tho witness had 70
even With the lawyer.
The uiscbieyous. triumphant tvinkl
in Mr.. Grcs,'s eye. and the forced laugh
ter Of the Judge told me that We we're al
; Of one mind Oh that point. NJ d.