The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-08-11
Miscellaneous.
LEGAL INTEGRITY.

young men" said Judge burlington, ad-
dressing hali-a-dozen young lawyers, "never
advocate cause into the work of which
Never accept client whose cause you do
not believe to be just.
"Can that rule be always adhered to p.
asked one of the listeners.
"It can" answered darlington, emphati
cally. at is u lawyers firm rock OF founda-
tion, and the only sure point of departure
to the respect and confidence of his fell
lows"
''Have you always followed that rule,
Judge"
81 was never tempted from it but once
he replied. 81 will tell you the story, il
You would like to hear it,"
OF course they would like to; and hav,
ing laid aside his pipe, the old man com
menced:
"One day was waited upon by mar
who gave his name as Laban Sarfurt. lie
was of middle age, well dressed, and at frs
sight appeared to be gentleman but thu
illusion was dispelled when approaching
business. He was hard and unfeelipg, an,
naturally a villain. Success in speculation
had saved him from being thief or high
wayman. heard of him as heavy deale
in the up-river lands. He asked me if wa
willing to undertake job which would cal
me to Shireton. I told him l was open t,
| n Ia in,, 1aniti,,, 30 nh oh ,rnpll -
"Mr. Lurlington." said he, tapping M
with coarse familiarity upon the arm.
81 want to secure your services Yol
must not be engaged on the other side"
81 told him if he would explain to M
| the case | might be better able to give hin
an al swer. lie bit an enormous quid o
tobacco from black plug, and having got i
into shape between his jaws he went on witt
his story:
The case was one Of ojectment. Al
elderly man, named Philip Acton, had die,
leaving IL valuable estate. There was nearly
II thousand acres Of land, with opportunitie,
for developing immense water-power, anc
ere many years that land would be wortl
more than million dollars. At present
upon the estate, and claiming it as son o
tae deceaset, was man calling himsel
Henry Acton
But" said Sariurt, "he is not legitmat,
child. His mother was Betty Totwood a
one time girl in Acton's employ. Acton
| know, was never married. lie brought
the boy up and educated him, and now thu
fellow thinks he will step into his protector
| shoes. can prove that | am the only liv
ing relative of Philip Acton. He was m,
uncle-my mothers brother-and, to a law
yer as smart as you, there can be no difficult,
in proving my title. ! can bring the wit
| nesses to your hand"
"lle told me he would give me five hun
| dred dollars if / would undertake his case
and an additional thousand if gained. Tha
was big iee-far more than / had ther
made in all my pleadngs.
1t was tempting. And yet saw that i
was not perfectly cear-not entirely hon
| est.
'The probability was that this Henr
Acton was Philips child; aud it was not i'm
possible that Philip had married Betsy Tot
wood, 1t struck me that Laban Sarfurt wa
a villain, and that he iancied he had youn
Acton so lar in his power that he could ejec
him from the title. But what had partc
ularly to do with that If / accepted
client, must serve him. | had no busines
but to serve his interest.
81 finally told Mr. Sarfurt that woul'
think the matter over. l should probabl
have business in Shireton during the sessio
of the court and would call on him ther
aud examine more fully. | could not tax
his retainer until had further light"
"But," said he, will you promise not B
trke up for the other side p
81 told him l would do nothing withou
further consultation with hin.