Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-05-17
THE ADVOCATES RIGHT BOWER.

THE ADVOCATES RIGHT BOWER.
1t may be asked what we mean by
putting ''right bower" in such con-
nection.
1t was Judge Lurlington's own ext
preston.
Half dozen young lawyers. fresh
from their studies, and just admitted to
the bar, were listening to his advice.
The old jurist had bottle of wine at
his elbow, and was i'm a communicative
mood.
"Young men," he said, "whatever
may be your strait, never take a case
before jury, or before any court, un-
less you have your right bower for a
head"
If the reader surmises from this that
the old judge was fond of euchre, he
will not have surmised amiss.
The young men looked at him in
quiringly.
81 mean" he added, that you shall
never advocate a cause into the work of
which you cannot enter with a clear
conscience. You shall never accept a
client whose cause you do not believe to
De just"
asked one of the listeners.
at can," answered burlington en-
phatically. 1t is lawyers firm rock
of foundation, and the only sure point
Of departure TO the respect and conf
dence of his fellows"
''Have you always followed that rule,
judge:"
Il was never tempted from it but
once" he replied. 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
commenced:
'.One day l was waited upon by man
who gave his name as Laban Sarfurt.
He was of middle age, well dressed and
at first sight appeared to be gentle
man; but the illusion was dispelled
when approaching business. He was
hard and unfeeling, and naturally a
villain. Success in speculation had
saved him from being thief or high
wayman. / heard of him as heavy
dealer in the up-riyer land. He asked
me if / was willing to undertake job
which would call me TO Shireton. L
told him / was open to anything legiti-
mate which 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"
81 told him il he would explain the
case might be better able to give him
an answer" He bit an enormous quid
of tobacco from black plug, and, hav-
ing got it into shape between his jaws,
he went on with his story.
."The case was 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 i'm
mense water-power, and ere many years
that land would be worth more than
million dollars. At present upon the
estate, and claiming it as son of the de-
ceased, was man calling himself Will
liam Acton"
But" said Sarfurt, she is not a le-
ultimate child at all. His mother was
Betsy TotwOod, at one time a girl in
Acten's employ. Acton l know was
never married. He brought the boy up
and educated him, and now the fellow
thinks he will step into his protectors
shoes. 1 can prove that am the only
living relative of Philip Acton. He was
INV uncle-my mothers brother-and,
to a LAWYER as smart as you, there can
he no difficulty in proving my title.
can bring the witness to your hand.
''He told me he would give me five
hundred dollars if / would undertake
his case, and an additional thousand if
1 gained. This was big fee-far more
than had then made in all my plead
ing. 1t was tempting. And yet saw
that il 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 married Betsy TotwoOd. 1t
struck me that Laban Sarfurt was vii
lain. and that he fancied he had young
Acton so far in his power that he could
eject him from the title. But what had
| particularly 10 do with that? If ac-
cepted a client, l must serve him. l
had no business but to serve his inter-
est. finally told Mr.. Sarfurt that l
would think the matter oyer, l should
probably have business in Shireton
during the session of the court, and 1
would call on him there and examine
more fully. / could not take his re-
tainer until had further light"
But" said he, twill you promise
not to take up for the other side? 2"
Il told him I would do nothing with
out further consultation with him."
Because" he added, elf you are for
Inc am sure to win. Acton can't find
lawyer that can hold candle to you.
know them ALL"
''No matter whether l believed him
or not-I did not feel flattered.
''Two weeks later received letter
from Sarfurt, promising me five thou
sand dollars if won.
'sThe five thousand dollars is 4 strong
argument. Was not law really game
Of chance, i'm which the strongest hand
and longest purse must win? l told
myself yes. Yes-and l sat down and
wrote reply, saying that | would take
the case. But did not mail it at once.
That night put it under my pillow,
and slept over it; and on the following
morning l threw it into the fire.
would not make up my mind until
had seen other parties-until had been
ON the grounds. And wrote to LabaD
Sarfurt to watt
1.-Two weeks later 1 harnessed my |
horse to the wagon, and with my wife