Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-05-20
A Debtor to h;s Calling.


A penurious man, having hired a
carpenter at a very low price, to build
q fence, was surprised to see him doing
much better work than he, the employ
er, had right to expect. Fearing that
there might be some misunderstanding
which would result in a charge for
'extras,' the employer reminded the
carpenter that he was doing the work
by the job and for stipulated price.
I know that, sir, as we'll as you do,
answered the mechanic; 'but want
you and every other man to know that
I take pride in my work, even if I
don't get as we'll paid as ought to-
That carpenter acted upon the prin-
ciple which governed the Apostle Paul
when he said I magnify my office
The principle is one on which every
fair-minded man will act, is simply
this: Do you best, under all circum-
stances. Every man. says Bacon,
is debtor to his profession We all
owe our best efforts to our calling, ii
the calling be useful one.
When Rufus Choate began the prac-
tice of law in Danvers, Mass, he de-
termined to magnify his office or advo'
cate, on every occasion, whether his fee
was small or large. His cases involved
but small sums of money, but he threw
himself into them with an enthusiasm
that could not have been more intense
had they been struggles for thousands
of dollars.
He would plead before country JUS
tice, in his shoemaker's shop, as it he
were addressing the Supreme Court.
Crowds aocked to hear the young law
yer, who so magnifed plaintiff, Defend
ant, justice and jury of an obscure viii
lage as to place before them classical
allusions, fine rhetoric, legal learning,
and sound reasoning,
The illiterate were so influenced by
his method, which honored them as ap-
preciative hearers, that they gave him
their hearts, and admired him as the
man who always did his best, no mat.
ter how trivial the occasion.
In one petty case, that Of Jelferds,
accused of stealing flock Of turkeys,
he defended the prisoner, who paid
him very small fee, on four trials,
and each time secured disagreement
of the jury. The commonwealth at
torney, at last, tired of being asked,
When is the turkey case coming on
AGAIN. entered mol. pros, or discon-
tlnuance.
Several years after, when Mr.. Cho-
ate had removed to Boston, Jefferds
called to pay his respects. He was
much surprised at not being recogniz"
ed, and said, with some warmth, why
Mr.. Choate, I'm the man you pleaded
so for in the turkey case, when they
couldn't find anything agin me-
1t is said that Mr.. Choate, in order
to be impartial, seldom came in con-
tact with his clients who were charged
with crime. He did not consider him.
self at liberty as lawyer to decline
serving in criminal cases, and he al
ways did his best for those clients, but
he would hold no personal intercourse
with them, for such reasons as many
lawyers are accustomed to do.
One of his great cases was his defence
of Tirrel, charged with murder. He
never exchanged a word with the man
until the day of trial, when, walking to
the dock in which Tirrell was seated,
he said:
We'll sir, are you ready to make a
strong push for life with me today?'
Yes, sir l am.
Very, we'll, sir, we will make it,
said Choate, and proceeded to make
the best Of the case.
Il magnify my office 7 The text is a.
good thought to take into the year.