Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-09-01
LEGAL INTEGRITY.

LhGAL lNTEGhIT1,
"Young men," said Judge burlington,
addressing half a dozen young lawyers,
"never advocate cause into the work
of which you cannot enter with clear
conscience. Never accept client whose
cause you do not believe to be just"
"Can that rule be always adhered tor"
asked one of the listeners.
cit can," answered burlington, en-
phatically. "It's a lawyers firm rock of
foundation, and the only sure point of
departure to the respect and confidence
of his fellows"
"Have you always followed that rule,
Judge?"
II was never tempted from it but
once" he replied. 81 will tell you the
story if you would like to hear it."
OF course they would like to; and hav-
ing laid aside his pipe the old man COM
menced:
Zone day Twas 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 o gentleman;
but the allusion was dispelled when ap-
preaching business. He was hard and
unfeeling, and naturally villain. Sue
cess in business had saved him from be-
ing thief or highwayman. heard OF
him as heavy dealer in the up-rivel
lands. He asked me if / was willing tc
undertake job which would call me tc
Shireton. l told him / was open to any
thing legitimate that would pay.
Mr.. burlington, said he, tapping
me with coarse familiarity upon the arm
l want to secure your services. Yor
must not be engaged on the other side.
AZ told him if he would explain to mt
the case l might be better able to Civ,
him an answer He bit an enormous
quid of tobacco from black plug, anC
having got it into shape between his jaw
he went on with his story.
"The case was one of ejectment. Al
elderly man, named Philip Acton, ha(
died leaving valuable estate. There
were nearly thousand acres of land, will
opportunities for developing immense
water power, and ere many years tina
land would be worth more than a millioI
dollars. At present upon the estate, anC
claiming it as a son of the deceased, wa
man calling himself William Acton.
"'But,' said Sarfurt, 'he is not Philil
Acton's child at all. Acton brought tn
boy up and educated him, and now tn
fellow thinks he will step into his protec
tors shoes. can prove that am the onl,
living relative of Philip Acton. He wa
my uncle-my mothers brother-and t,
lawyer as smart as you there can be n,
difficulty in proving my title. l cal
bring the witnesses to your hand
He told me he would give me $500i
] would undertake the case, and an ad
ditional thousand if / gained. That wa
big fee-far more than l had then mad
in all my pleading 1t was tempting
And yet / saw that ii was not yet per
fectly clear-not entirely honest. TIL
probability was that this William Actor
was Philips child. 1t struck me tina
Laban Sarfurt was villain, and that h
fancied that he had young Acton so ia
in his power that he could eject him fror
the title. But what had particularly t
do with that? If accepted aclient, mus
serve him. i had no business but (
serve his interest. l finally told MI
Sarfurt that l would think the matte
over. should probably have bushes
in Shireton during the session of tn
court, and l would call on him there an
examine more fully. ] could not take hi
retainer until had further light
But said he, will you promise nc
to take up for the other sideg'
Z" l told him would do nothing with
out further consultation with him.
:" Because he added, if you are fC
me am sure to win. Acton can't find
lawyer that can hold a candle to you.
know them ALL
" No matter whether / believed him {
not, did not feel flattered.
Two weeks later l received lettC
from Sarfurt promising me five thousan
dollars if won.
"The five thousand dollars was
strong argument. Was not law reall
game of chance, in which the stronj
est hand and longest purse must wini
told myself yes. Yes-and sat dow
and wrote a reply, saying that / woul
take the case. But did not mail it I
once. That night i put it under m
pillow and slept over it, and on the TO
lowing morning threw 1t into the fir,
would not make up my mind until
had seen other parties-until had bee
on the grounds. And i wrote to Laba
Sarfurt TO wait.
1.-TWO weeks later / harnessed m
horse to the wagon, and with my viii
and child started for Shireton. ha
been married two years, and our littl
babe, girl. was year old, our pride
our pet and our darling. Shireton WI
distance Of about thirty miles. We ha
been having rainy weather for wee
or so, and it had now cleared off brigl
and beautiful. We stopped and too
dinner at wayside inn, four miles b'
yond which was stream which must /
forded. The inn-keeper told me that Ii
stream was somewhat swollen from Ii
late rains, but that If my horse wa
trusty there could be no danger.
Arrived at the stream, the Wamp
tuck River, found the water jndet
risen and the current strong, but / sa
that others had recently gone over, an
j resolved to venture. / knew my horl
and had faith in him. My wife WI
anxious, but she trusted my judgmen
A third Of the way across the water WI