The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-01-17
The Failure OF Il Great Lawyer.


The late Sir George Jessel was one Of
the many remarkable instances of the
utter failure Of great lawyers in the
House Of Commons. He never mdde
decent speech, and the answering even
Of a simple question amounted seeming
ly to torture. On the bench, according
to unanimous testimony, his talents
were splendid. He was unpleasantly
conscious of this, his crit cis,ns on the
decisions Of his colleague, especially of
the lord chance llor. being. like those Of
Judge Christian, an equally eminent
equity lawyer on the Irish bench, frank
almost to brutality. Like many other
men who have reached an eminence
that made them tho envy Of millions,
Jessel was slilla man Of unsatisfed am
bition. lie craved the chancellorshlp,
was best entitled to it of the English bar.
At length the earl hit upon plan, and
resolved to act upon it. He visited Sir
George in his chambers, while the latter
held the Office of Kings Advocate, and
appealed to him for assistance.
Now, as man to man, i'll matters Of bus
mess or in any way not involving brother
ly love, Sir George held the young earl
in high esteem; and there was no man
of his acquaintance whom he would have
more readily assisted legally. Further
more, the advocate had not the reno
test idea that Buto either loved his
daughter, or that he Was familiar with
her.
"Sir George" sal the earl, when he
was ready to open his business, there is
young lady in this city whom dearly
and deyotedly love; and she has confess
ted her love for me. Her father is
wealthy. Now, sir, 1 care not for the
ant to have her father disinherit her.
is opposed to our union. At all events,
we fear that such is the case. Now, my
dear Sir George, I know you would not
hesitate to vOuch for my worthiness."
The old man nodded assent very pleas
antly.
And, sir, think you would be will
ing to exert your fuence IN my behalf,
if should marry the ,ady clandestinely.
Your influen would be electual, am
sure"
And so the earl went On until he had
brought Sir George not only to promise
his assistance toward preventing disin-
heri'ance, but SO far had the keen old
lawyer entered into the spirit of the
thing that lie advised the earl, by ali
means, to 60 ahead.
"W hy," he exclaimed forcibly, "the
man must be bind, or fool, WHO would
reject such an alliance for his daughter
-Qnc Of the oldest names in the realm,
a fHlr share of wealth, and coronet.
Go on: my lord, and will sustain you if
/ can"
And the earl went ahead. That very
evening he arranged with the lady, and
on the following day they were privately
married
In the evening Sir George missed his
daughter. He had just inquired lor her,
when door was opened, and she and
the Earl Of Butte entered, hand in hand,
and advanced straight to his chair, and
went down on their knees.
Nota word ofcxplanation vas needed.
The old advocate caught bis breath,
changed from death-like pa|eness to a
furious flush half q dozen times, and
finally gave in.
''Sir George, henceforth shall take
great pleasure in sustaining my wife's
father" said the earl.
A hot response was upon the parents
lips, but he swallowed il, and gradually
a sense OF the absurdity Of the situation
possessed him, and anon he burst into
hearty laugh and the erring children
were forgiven.