Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-31
A Story Of Other Times.
TIE ADVOCATES RIGHT BOWER.

1t may he asked what we mean by put
ting IL right bower" in such connection.
II was Judge Lurlington's own express
sion.
Half n dozen young lawyers, fresh from
their studies, and just admitted to the bar,
were listening to his advice. The old ju-
rist had II bottle of wine at his elbow, and
was in Il communicative mood.
Young men," he said whatever may
be your strait, never take case before IL
jury, or before any court, unless you have
your right bower for a head"
IF the reader surmisej from this that
the old Judge was fond Of euchre, he will
not have surmlsed amiss.
The young men looked at him inquir
ingly.
Il mean" he added, "that you shall
never advocate II cause into the work of
which you cannot enter with clear con-
science. You shall never accept client
whose cause you do not believe to be
JUST
Can that rule always be adhered to ?"
asked one OF the listeners.
1T cam" answered burlington emphat-
ically. 1t is a lawyers firm rock of
foundation, and the only sure point of de-
parture to the respect and confidence of
his fellows"
"lIave you always followed that rule,
jndge?"
&" 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 hav-
ing laid aside his pipe, the old man COM
menced;
Zone day l was waited upon by a man
who gave his name as Laban Sarfurt. He
was of middle age, we'll dressed, and ut
first sight appeared to be gentleman;
but the illusion was dispelled when ap-
preaching business. lie was hard and un
feeling, and naturally william. Success
in speculation had saved him from being
thief or highwayman. heardp Of him as
Il heavy dealer in the up-river lands. He
asked me if would undertake " job which
would call me 10 Shireton. | told him
was open to any thing legitimate that
would pay"
Mr.. Lurlington," said he, tipping me
on the shoulder, with coarse familiarity,
want to secure your services. You must
not he engaged on the other side"
told him if he would explain to me the
case, might be better able to give him
an answer. He bit an enormous quid of
tobacco from II black plug, and having
got it into shape between his jaws. he
went on with his story
The case was one Of ejcctment. An el-
derby man named Philip Acton, had died,
leaving IL valuable estate, There was near
Iva thousand acres of land. with oppor-
tun ties for developing immense water
power, and ere many years that land
would be worth more than II million dol
lars At present upon the estate, and
claiming it us II son Of the deceased, was a
man calling himself William Acton"
But, said Sarlurt, "he is not legit-
innate child ut all. His mother was Bet
sy Totwood, at one time girl in Actun's S
employ. Acton | know was never mar
RED. lie brought the boy up and elucat.
ed him, and the fellow thinks he cin step
into his protectors shoes. can prove
that am The only living relntive Of Philip
AOlOH' llt WIS my hll' lC my uOlHCl :
broher-and, to n lawyer us smart as you
there can be no difficulty in proving my
ulle. | Can bring Witnesses to YOU
hand.
"Ile told me he would live me five
, hundred dollars if would undertake the
cilse, and an additional thousand if gain
; ed. That was big lee-far more than
! had made in all my pleading. 1t was
| tempting. And yet SAW that it was no
} probability was ihat this William Actor
WAS Philips child E; and it was not impos
: sible that Philip had married Betsy Tot
= wood. 1t struck ne that Laban Sarfur
t was william, and that he fanced he hat
t young Acton SO far in his power that h.
II could eject him from his title. But wha
d had particularly to 10 with that? If
+ accepted us client, | must serve him.
+ had no business but to serve his interest.
finally told Mr.. Sarfurt that would thin
e the matter over; should probably hay
:. business in Shireton during the session @
II the court, and would call on him ther
y and examine more fully. Icould not tax
: his retainer until had further light"
e But" said he, "will you promise ne
s to take up the other sdeP
al told him would do nothing with
i out further consultation with him."
# Because" he added IF you are fU
"A me, am sure to win. Acton can find
d lawyer that can hold II candle to you.
I, know them ALL"
Ii No matter whether | believed him q
y mol did not feel llaltered
It 1.-Two weeks later | received lettc
a from Sarfurt, promising me $4,000 if
+ Won"
o THE $4,000 was II strong argumcn
Was not law really game of chance, j
t, which the strongest hand and longes
). purse must win! told myself yes. YC
y anil | sat down and wrote II reply, say
Is ing that | would take the case. Bat di
10 not mail it at once. That night | put
IL under my pillow, and slept it, end O
ID the following morning threw it into III
fire. | would not make up my mind unl
had seen other parties-unil had bee
on the ground. And | wrote to I.ubl
Sarfurt to wait"
70 1.-Two weeks later harnessed my hor,
n to the wagon, and with my wife and chill
rs started ior Shireton. / had been marie
" two years, and our little babe, girl, w
lr n year old, our pride, our pet and our da
" ling. Shireton was a distance of aho
ID thirty miles. We had been having rail-
weather for week or so, and it had no