Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-10-25
THE R1aHT BOWER.

1t was Judge Lurlington's own ex-
preston.
Half a dozen lawyers, fresh from
their studies, and just admitted to the
bar, were listening to his advice. The
old jurist had a bottle Of wine Mt his
elbow, and was in 4 communicative
mood.
"Young men, he said, "whatever
may be your strait, never take case
before jury or before court, unless
you have your right bower for a
lead"
If the reader surmiscs from this that
the old Judge was fond Of cuchrc, he
will not have surmiscd amiss.
The young men looked at him in
quiringly.
| 81 mean," he added, "that you shall
never advocate cause into the work
of which yon cannot enter with clear
conscience. You shall never accept
a client whose cause You do not be-
lieve to be just
"Can that rule always be adhered
to e. asked one of the listners.
| at can," answered darlington, en-
lphatically. at is a lawyers firm rock
of foundation, and the only sure
point of departure to the respect and
confidence of his fellews.'
'Haye you always followed that
rule, Judge?"
~ was never tempted from il but
once," he replied. 81 will tell you the
story if you would like to hear it,"
OF course they would like to; and
having laid aside his pipe, the old
man began:
"One day. I was waited upon by Z
man who gave his name "a Labar
Sarfnrt. He was of middle age, well
dressed and at first sight appeared to
be a gentleman; but the Illusion wa,
dispelled when approaching business
He was hard and unfeeling, and nat
urally villain. Success in business
had saved him from becoming THE
or highway y-man. I heard Of him Al
Ia heavy dealer in the up-river lands
He asked me if was willing to under
take q job that would call me Il
fShireton. told him I was open Il
lanything legitimate that would pay
"Mr. burlington said he, tapping
me with coarse familiarity upon tht
tarm, Il want to secure your services
you must not be engaged on the othel
side
II told him that if he would xplaiI
to me the case might be better abl,
to give him an answer. He bit al
enormous quid Of tobacco from |
black plug and having got it int
shape between his jaws, he went OF
with his story:
"The case ia one of ejectment. Al
elderly man, named Phillip Acton
had died leaving valuable estate
There was nearly 1000 acres of Ian,
with opportunities for developing
immense water power and ere man
. years that land would be wortl
more than a million dollars. At pres
ent upon the estate, and claiming it a
SON of the deceased, was man call
ing himself William Acton
"But, said Sarfurt, 'he is not legi,
,, imate child at all. His mother wa
Betsy Totwood, at one time q girl i
Acton's employ. Acton, I know wa
never married. He brought the bo
up and educated him and now tn
fellow thinks he will step into hi
protectors shoes. can prove this
l am the only living relative of Phi
: ip Acton. He was my uncle-m
,, !, mothers brother and, to q lawye
as smart as you, there can be no dit
!, ficulty in proving my title. ca
bring the witnesses to your hand
.He told me that he would give m
$500 If would undertake the cas-
and an additional thousand if I gain
ed 1t. That was big fce-far MOI
!, than had then made in all my pra,
: : tice. 1t was tempting. And yet
saw that it was not yet perfectly cles
entirely honest. The probabi
: ity was that this VIM. Acton W,
Phillips child; and it was not impo
! |siblc that Philip had married Bets
Totwood. 1t struck mo that Laba
!, Sarfurt was villain, and that he fa1
!, lcicd that he had young Acton so +:
: in his power that he could eject hi
: from the title. But what had pa
: ticularly to do with that? If q
:; lccpted a client, must serve him.
= had no business but to serve his il
g tercst. finally told Mr.. Sarfurt th
: would think the matter over.
- - should probably have business
: Shireton during the session of Il
! court, and I would call on him the
- and examine more fully. l coul
e not take his retainer until l had fu
= ther light
!, "'But," said he, will you promi
= not to take up for the other side?'
= 81 told him / would do nothir
without further consultation wi
,f him." Because said he, IF you a
e for me, am sure to win. Actt
7 can't find a lawyer that can hold
= candle to you. know them an.'
~ "No matter whether l believed hi
= = or not, did rot feel flattered.
= 1.-TWO weeks later I received Ii
4 ter from Sarfurt promising me $50
~ - IL won.
II "The 5000 was q strong argumel
" Was not law really a game of chant
TO in which the strongest hand aud Ion
r. est purse must winp ! told mys'
al yes. Ycs-and sat down and wrc
m la reply, saying that would take
b. case. But I did not mail il at once.
" That night I put it under my pile
At and slept over 1t, and on the folio
v ing morning threw IL into the fl
Or I would not make up my mind un
al I had seen other parties.-until I h
in been on the grounds. And l WIRE
b. to Laban Sarfnrt to wait.
ut 1.-TWO weeks later harnesscd !
al horse to the wagon, and with my W
a and child started TO Shireton. h
he been married two years and our lit
Ia ha ho n utp1 wNe yaNr old Olir nri