The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-31

ton before night, and found quarters at
comfortable tavern.
"On the following day Laban Sarfurt
called upon me and was about to spread
his evidence for my inspection, when I
interrupted him. 7 told him I could
not accept his confidence until made
up my mind to take his case in hand.
Something seemed to whisper that there
was danger ahead. did not feel COM
Portable in that mans presence. [ felt
as though he was trying to buy me. The
court would sit in four days. I told
him would give him final answer in
two days from that.
"Tnat evening made confdant of
my wife. and asked her what I should
do. IF I take the case, said, Il am
sure OF $1,000 She babe me do what
was right. God has been very kind to
us, she said, Let us look to Him for
guidance
"After this [ called on the clergyman
of the place, whose son had been my
classmate in college, and whom I had
once before visited. He received me
heartily, and by-and-by / asked him
about William Acton. The result of all
he told me is summed up In his closing
sentence. Said. he:
"sI am sure William Acton was Phil
ip Actions child-in fact know it-and
| I think the father and mother were mar
ried. Betsey died very soon after her
child was born, and we know that Philip
always treated the boy as legitimate
child; and that he loved him as such I
can confidently affirm.
ssOn the following morning, after
breakfast, as I sat by the window in the
'bar-room, saw coming from the street
the man who had saved my child. He
was walking slowly, like one in trouble.
I pointed him out to my host, and asked
him who he was.
ssThat is William Acton. Perhaps
you have heard of the trouble he is like
ly to have With Laban Sarfurt3'
:" I said [ had heard.
Go I hope he may come out ali right,
the host added; but am fearful. He
has got hard and heartless customer to
deal with
Get shut my mouth and held my peace
until Laban Sarfurt called for his final
answer. I said to him:
'sMr. Sarfurt, [ have been consider
| l.
take your case with clear conscience
whether I should be helping the side of
justice and right in helping you. I had
concluded that could not do so before
I had seen William Acton, to know him
by name. now know him for man
who nobly risked his own life to save the
life of nv child. For that deed I will
reward him If I can. I have not, as yet,
accepted oneof your private disclosures ;
I have gained from you nothing which
you could wish to keep from the public.
[ cannot take your case, but, tell you
frankly, that if you prosecute, will de-
fend William Acton.
st did not mind Sarfurt's wrath. He
raved and swore and stamped, and then
he went off and engaged two lawyers
from Herkimer to take his case. [ called
upon Acton, and told him I would de-
fend him, if he would accept my servi-
ces, as I had accepted his. He took my
hand and thanked me.
st have made great many pleas IN
my life, but think I never made bet
ter one than I made to that jury on that
occasion. They were out not over five
minutes. By their verdict William Ac-
ton was the lawful possessor OF the
estate his father had left.
"From that day never hesitated to
refuse case to which [ could not give
my heart. Such stand on the part of
lawyer becomes known, and the public
feels it and what the public feels juries
are sure to feel.
Concerning William Acton, I will
only add that he became my bosom
friend. He always felt that he owed his
title to his valuable property to me and
I knew that to him [ was 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 of my oldest
daughter is his Oldest son."