Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-05-14
a'irgluia }ree gress.
". W. b. GALLAHER; Editor.
OharIesto,cm, ,JedersOm COUNTY,, West y
May II, 1885.
BITS FROM THE BAR.

Gen. Wright is authority for the state
ment that young lawyer Is the smartest
thing in the world except a yong widow"
One of the most mysterious misfts Of life
is the spectacle of young man eminently
qualified to drive milk wagon confusing
his little brains over Blackstone.
A strange man was picked up in faint
ing condition in the street and taken to the
hospital. "Whowas that man they brought
here ?" asked reporter of the superintend-
ent about an hour aiterward. don't
know" was the reply. How is he"
Lying at the point Of death" Oh, IS he?
We'll, III bet dollar he'sa lawyer"
They tell this story of Judge Walton in
Oxford county, Me-. A man was charged
with stealing two bags of corn, and the eyi-
dence demonstrated to an ordinary mind
that he was guilty. The jury, however,
brought in a verdict of not guilty. Pris-
oner at the bar, said the Judge, the jury
have decided that you are not guilty, and
the court orders that you be discharged, but
the court admonishes you not to steal any
more corn"
An Augusta lawyer told me the other day
of 4 witticism uttered by Henry w. Paine.
He was prosecuting attorney in a criminal
case. The evidence plainly showed that
the respondent was guilty and the defense
admitted il. The respondents counsel ask
ed for a verdict of not guilty on the ground
that the defendant was non comp0s meatis.
Greatly to the surprise OF Paine, and every
body else Tor that matter, the jury came in
with verdict of not guilty. Paine on the
instant, turned TO the presiding Judge and
said Your Honor, the prisoner has eyi-
IDENTIFY been tried by jury ofhis peers"
One of the keenest things ever said on the
bench is attributedto Judge Walton. While
holding term of the Supreme Court at AU-
gusta he sentenced "a man to seven years III
prison for grave crime. The respondent
counsel asked for an investigation Of the
sentence on the ground that the prisoner
health was very poor. Your Honor, said
he d" am satisfied that my client cannot
live out half that term, and beg Of you tc
change the sentence" Well, under those
circumstances" said the Judge / will
change the sentence. | will make it for
life instead of seven years" 1t is needles
to add that the respondent chose to abide
by the original sentence, which the Judge
permitted him to elect.
Ina corner of Windham County there lived
some wears ago a man Of considerable wealth
He knew he was near bis death, and sem
for LAWYER to make his will. His wife
and daughter were present and greedhy
watched the proceeding. After most gen
erously providing for them the sick mar
directed the lawyer to designate $500 TO hi
aged sister, who was needy. The wife anC
daughterremonstrated angrily. Quietly tho
sick man said, Make it 81 900 for my Els
ter" Another protest from the vultures
Make it Il 800, Squire" cody said the
legator. "You shall not" shouted th'
sweet-souled females. Make it $4,000,
said the willmaker serenely, and here th'
selfish fools concluded it was policy to holc
their tongues The lawyer has kept the Sc
eret for years. but somehow it leaked out
DaaieL ariAe C6an.l Traascriph