Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-05-15
SELECTIONS.
THE JUDGES STRATAGEM.

A gentleman of about ve-hundred.
pounds-a-year estate, in the eastern
part of England, had two sons. The
eldest, being of rambling DISPOSE
ton, took place in a ship, and went
abroad. After several years his
father died, when the younger son
destroyed his will, and seized upon
the estate. He gave out that his
eldest brother was dead, and bribed
some false witnesses to attest the
truth of it.
In the course Of time, the eldest
brother returned, but came home in
miserable circumstances. His young
er brother repulsed him with scorn,
told him that he was an impostor
and "a cheat, and asserted that his
real brother was dead long ago, and
he could bring witnesses to prove it..
The poor fellow, having neither
money nor friends, and was in most
dismal situation. He went around
the parish making bitter complaints,
and at last came to a lawyer, who,
when he heard the poor mans mourn
full story, he replied to him in this
manner: You have nothing to give
me. If undertake your cause, and
lose it, it would bring me into very
foul disgrace, us all the wealth and
evidence is on your brothers side.
But, however, will undertake your
cause on this condition: You shall
enter into obligations to pay me
thousand guineas if | gain the estate
for you. If lose il, know the con-
sequence, and | venture upon it with
my eyes OPEN"
Accordingly he entered an action
against the younger brother, and it
was agreed to be tried at the next
general assizes at Chelmsford, in
Essex.
The lawyer having engaged in the
cause OF the poor man, and stimula-
ted by the prospect of IA thousand
guineas, set his wits to work to con-
trive the best methods to gain his
end.
AT last he hit upon this happy
thought, that he would consult the
first of all the judges, Lord Chief
Justice Hale. Accordingly he went
up to London, and laid open the case
and all its circumstances.
The judge, who was the greatest
lover of justice of any man in the
world, heard the case patiently and
attentively, and promised him all the
assistance in his power.
ct is very probable that he opened
his whole scheme and method of pro.
ceeding, enjoining the utmost secre.
Cyl
The judge contrived matters in
such a manner as to have finished
all his business at the Kings Bench
before the assizes began at Chelms-
ford, and ordered his carriage to con.
vey him down very near the seat of
the assiZes.
He dismissed his man and his
horse, and sought out for a single
house. He found one occupied by a
miller. After some conversation,
and making himself quite agreeable,
he proposed to the miller to change
clothes with him.
AS the judge had very good suit
on, the man had no reason to object.
Accordingly, the judge put on CON-
plete suit of the miller's best.
Armed with the miller's hat, and
shoes, and stick, away he marched
to Chelmsford. He had procured
good lodgings to his liking, and wait
ed for the assizes that should come
on next day.
When the trials came on, he walk.
ed, like an ignorant fellow, back.
wards and forwards along the coun-
ty hall. He had a thousand eyes
with him, and when the court began
to fill, he soon found out the poor
fellow that was the plaintiff.
As soon as he came into the hall,
the miller drew up to him.
"Honest friend,n said he, 8. bow is
your cause like to go today ~
Why" replied tae plaintiff, .my
cause is in very precarious stu
alton, and if I lose it, I am ruined for
life p
6 Well, honest friend" replied the
miller, i" Will you take my advicef /
will let you into a secret which per.
haps you do not know. Every Eng
lishman has the right and privilege