The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-10-06


did not matter-he was not sure he had a
name. ] then asked him if he knew me-
He nodded and said he thought / might
DE Mr.. darlington, of Walbridge. " hen
| told him he was correct, he said that he
must hurry home. And with that he
turued away. | was too deeply moved to
stop him, ana when he had disappeared
started to rejoin my wife with a dawning
Impression that tie man might be slightly
deranged. But my darling was safe-her
broad, tleecy cloak had floated out and
kept her head above water-I went on my
way rejoicing, resolved that the preserver
of my child should not be forgotten.
viii not tell you of the emotion of my
wife when she held her child once moie in
her arms. We reached Shireton before
night, finding quarters at "a comfortable
tavern.
On the following day Laban Sarfurt
called upon me and was about to spread
his evidence for my inspection, when | in
terrupted him. [ told him | could not ac-
cept his confidence until had made up my
mind TO take his case in hand. Something
seemed 10 VIII isper that there was danger
ahead. | did not feel comfortable in that
mars presence. | felt as though he was
trying 10 buy me. The court would sit in
four days. told him l would give him a
final answer in two days from that
That evening | made confident of my
wife, ard asked her what | should do. 'If
] take the case," | said, Il am sure of five
thousand dollars.'' She bade me do what
was right. God has been very kind 30
us, she said, ''let us look TO Him for
guidance"
After ibis ! called on the clergyman of
The place, whose son had been my class
mate in college, and whom had once be
foIe wished. He received me heartily, and
by and by l asked him about William
Acton. The result of all he told me is
summed ~ in his closing sentence y
am sure W illiam Acton was Philip Acton S
son-in fact, | know it-aud | think the
father and mother were married. Betsy
died very soon after her child was born.
aud we know shat Philip always treated
the ooy as a legitimate child and that he
loved him as such can confidently affirm =
On ,he following morning, after break
last, 9s | sat by the window in the bar
room, | saw coming from the street the
man VINO had saved my child. He was
walking slowly, like one i'll trouble. l
pointed him out to my host and asked who
he vas.
"rhat is William Acton. Perhaps You
have heard of tue trouble he is likely to
have with Laban Sarfurt?''
| said | had heard.
Il hope he may come out all right" the
host added; ''but l am fearful lie has
got a hard aud heartleSs customer to deal
with.'
l shut my mouth and held my peace
until Laban Sarfurt called for his final
answer. ! SAID to him
Mr.. SarIurt, ! have been considering
all this time whether | could undertake
your case with a clear conscience-whetheI
| should be helping the side of justice aud
righG in helping you. | had concluded
that | could not do so before | had seen
William Acton to know him by name.
his own life 10 save the life of my child.
For that deed | will rewald d him if | can.
i have not, as yet, accepted one of your
private disclosures l have gained from
you nothing which you could wish TO keep
from the public. | cannot take your case,
but l tell you frankly, that if you prosecute
| will defend William Acton
| did not mind Sarfurt's wrath. lie
raved and swore and stamped, and then be
went off and engaged two lawyers from
Herkimer to take the case. | called upon
Acton, and told him would defend him il
he would accept my services, as l had ac
cepted his. He took my hand thanked me-
l have made great many speeches il
my life, but | think never made better
/ one than | made TO that jury on that oe-
casion. They were not out over five min.
utes. By their verdict William Acton was
the lawful possessor of the estate his father
had left.
From that day I never hesitated to re-
fuse a case to which / could not give my
heart. Such a stand on the part of a law
yer becomes known; and the public feels it
and what the public feels jules are sure tC
feel.
Concerning William Acton, l need opiy
add that he became by bosom friend. lie
always felt that he owed his title to hi:
valuable property TO me and | knew that
I to him j VAS indebted for the home that
was mine for thirty years. He was very
delicate in the gift of that piece Of property
He decided it to my wife, The husband ot
my Oldest daue hter is his Oldest son.
| MAN is The only animal that blows hi:
nose. The alligator has a nose nearly tive
feet long, and he never blows it. The
/ elephant can reach over his nose and tclIl,
L. Z l. =