Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-02-24
THE LAWS DELAYS.
Diary of an Exhausted Litigant, whose
Lawyers Family was Large and Clients
Few.


Few.
According to the Hartford Courant, a
tattered memorandum book was recent
ly found on the steps of very humble
dwelling "out West" Some of the en-
tries are as follows:
My father had aslght misunderstood,
ing with a neighbor about division
fence which he had inherited from my
grandfather. After several disputes he
consulted a lawyer who had good
many children, but little practice.
This was fatal. A suit was commenced.
Several years ago my lawyer said
must get ready for the trial. did so,
and went to court at every term. But
it was postponed upon every pretense
which human ingenuity could invent.
1870. March term.-Counsel for de-
fendant moved continuance because
he was engaged in the court of common
pleas. Court granted the motion, but
intimated, with great dignity, that such
an excuse would never avail with him
again.
September term. Counsel trying a
case in an adjoining county. Judge
hesitated, but yielded.
December term. - Defendant Ill.
Proved by the certificate of respecta,
bic physician.
1872. March term. - Counsel had
made an engagement to meet client
from New York, who could not conve-
niently leave his business again. Con-
tinued, the Judge suggesting that New
York clients might find counsel nearer
home.
1873. September term.-Carried the
title deeds to my lawyer. Surveyor ex-
amined the premises, said the defendant
had encroached on me. But another
surveyor (partner and pupil of the first
one) said that my deed spoke of hack
matack stump in the line of the fence, a
foot in diameter; whereas, the only tree
anywhere near the fence was pepper
idge tree, not more than seven inches
and half across; case postponed, to
employ other surveyors.
December term.-Counsel agreed that
court might visit the premises in dis
pute. Judge refused to 60, but said the
jury might do SO, provided that nobody
went with them to explain and confuse.
Next morning heavy snow fell, and the
boundaries we're covered. Case con-
tinued.
1874. September term.-Motion to
postpone on the ground that the de-
fendant's attorney wished to be absent,
hunting, for a few days. Motion pre-
vailed. I demonstrated, but my counsel
said the lawyers were very accommodate
ing gentlemen, and the courtesies of the
bar required it.
1876. March term.-One of the jurors
taken sick. Motion to go ON with the
trial with eleven jurors. Defendants
counsel objected with great strength of
voice, and demanded full jury trial,
pure and simple. 1 think he called it
" Palladium of our liberties" Casepost-
poned.
September teIm.-Received bill for
retainers, term fees, clerks fees, and ex-
penses. One item was for the amount
of retainer which my lawyer had de-
clined from the defendant. Offered him
the farm, provided I gained the case.
He said that this would not be deemed
honorable practice, but would take it
and give me credit as far as it went.
Took the cars for the east, coming
mostly on freight trains and after night
fall.
. Mem.-Don't forget inscription for
my tombstone: "Here lies one who
died of a lawsuit, bequeathed by his
father"