The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-26
THE RIGHT BOWER.
1t was Judge Lurlington's own expr,

hall dozen lawyers, fresh from tueir
studies, and just admitted to the bar, were
listening to his advice. The old jurisl
had bottle of wine at his elbow, and was
in communicative mood.
"Young men," he said, "whatever may
be your strait, never take case before q
| jury or before any court, unless you have
your right~bower for q lead"
If the reader surmises from this that
the old judge was fond of euchre, he will
not have surmised smiss.
The young men looked at him inquir-
ingly. :,
al mean,' he added, "tbat you shall
never advocate cause into the work OF
which you cannot enter with clear con-
science You shall never accept client
whose cause you do not believe to be
just"
"Can that rule always be adhered to-
asked one the listeners.
at can" answered darlington, EN-
phatically. ut is lawyers firm rock OF
foundation, and the only sure point Of de.
parture to the respect and confidence OF
his fellows
"Have you always followed that rule
judge?"
Il was never tempted from it but
once" he replied; IL will tell you the
story if you would like to hear it."
OF course they would like to; aud hav-
ing laid aside. his pipe the old man began:
"One day l was waited upon by man
who gave his name as Leban Sarturt He
was of middle-age, well.dressed and at
first sight appeared to be n gentleman
but the illusion was dispelled when ap.
preaching business. He WAS hard and
unfeeling, and naturally villain. Sue
cess in speculation had saved him from
becoming a thief or highwayman. |
heard of him as heavy dealer in the up
river lands. He asked me if was will
ing to undertake a job which would call
me to Shireton. told him l was open
to anything legitimate that would pay"
"Mr. burlington" said he, tapping me
with coarse familiarity upon the arm, 81
want to secure your services; you must
not be engaged on the other side"
II told him if he would explain to me
the case 1 might be better able to give
him an answer. He bit an enormous
lud of tobacco from black plug, and
having got it into shape between his jaws,
he went on with his story.
THE case is one of ejectment. An
elderly man, named Philip Acton, had
died leaving a valuable estate. There
was nearly thousand acres Of land, with
opportunities for developing immense
water power, and ere many years that
land would be worth more than million
dollars. At present upon the estate, and
claiming 1t as son of the deceased, was
a man calling himself William Acton"
"But," said Sarfurt, "he is not II legiti.
mate child at all. His mother was Betsy
Totwood, at one time girl in Actions
employ. Acton, l know, was never mar
ried. He brought the boy up and cducs-
ted him, and now the follow thinks he
will step into his protectors shoes. can
prove that | am the only living relative
of Philip Acton. He was my uncle-my
mothers brotber-and, to lawyer as
smart as you, there can be no difficulty
IN proving my title. lean bring the wit
nesses to your hand"
He told me he would give me five hum
dred dollars if would undertake the
case, and an additional thousand if l
gained. That was big tee-tar more
than had then made in all my pleading,
1t was tempting. And yet saw that 1t
was not yet perfectly clear-not entirely
honest. The probability Was that this
William Acton was Philips child; and it
was not impossible that Philip had mar
ried Betsy Totwood. 1t struck me that
Labsn Sarlurt was villain, and that he
fsncied that he had young Acton so far
in his power that hecould eject him from
the title. But what had l particularly to
do with that? If l accepted a client, l
must serve him. l hsd no business but
to serve his interest. l finally told Mr.
Sarfurt that l would think tie matter
over. l should probably have business
in Shireton during the session oil the
court, and would call on him there and
examine more fully. Icou-d not take his
retainer until l had further light.
But" said ne, "wil you promise not
to take up for the other side?"
81 told him l would do nothing with
out further consultation with hum.
because" he added, "iiyou are for me
am sure to WIN. Acton cant find a
LAWYER that can hold candle to you. L
know them ALL
No matter whether i believed HIM or
not, did not feel fiattered.'
1.-TWO weeks later received letter
from Sarfurt, promising me five thousand
dollars if l won.
"The five thousand dollars was strong
argument. Was not law really game
of chance, in which the strongest hand
and longest purse must VIM l told my
self YES. Yes-and l sat down and wrote
a reply, saying that would take the case.
But I did not mail it at once. That night
l put it under my pillow and slept over
it; and on the following morning l threw
it into the fire. 1 would not make up
mind until had seen other prr,ies-un-
iii had been on the grounds. And l
wrote 70 Lsbsn Ssrfurt to wait.
1.-TWO weeks later harnessed my horse
to the wagon, and with my wife and
child started for Shireton. | had been
married two years, and our babe, glrl,
was year old, our pride, our pet and on,
darling. Shireton was distance Oh
about thirty miles. We had been having
rainy weather for week or 50, and 1t had
now cleared off bright and beautiful. we
stopped and took dinner at wsysideinn'
four miles beyond which was stream
which must be forded. The inn-keeper
told me that the stream was somewhat
swollen from the late rams, but that II
my horse was thirsty there could be nc
danger.
ARRIVED at the stream, the Wsmpa
tuck river, 1 found the water indeed risen
and the current strong, but l saw thai
Others had recently gone over, and l re,
solved to venture. knew my horse, ano
had faith In him. My wife was anxious
but she trusted my judgment. A third