Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-28
CHAPTER XVI.
on LEGAL ETIQUETTE.

"Well, Mccson, what is it? Have you
come 20 ask me to lunch?' asked Mr.
J John Short. do you know | actually
thought that you might have been a
| clientY
"Wcll, by Jovc! old fellow, and so
am, answered Eustace. 81 nave been to
your brother and he has sent me ON TO
you, because he says that it is not the
etiquette of the profession to see client
unless solicitor is present, so lie has re-
ferrcd me to you.
"Perfectly right; perfectly right of my
brother James, Meeson. Considering how
small are his opportunities of becoming
cognizant with the practice Of his profess
acquainted with its theory. And now.
what is tho point?'
"Wcu, do you know, Short, as the
point Is rather long one. and that your
brother said he should expect us at 2
precisely | think that we had better
take the bus bacl, to the Temple, when
can tell tie yarn to both Of you at once.
Every well | do not. as Il general
rule, like leaving my Office at this time of
day, as it is apt to put clients to incon-
vcnicnce, especially such Of them as come
from distance. But | will mako an cz-
ccTton for you, Nlceson. William lie
went on to the counterpart Of the Pump
court infant, IF any one calls to sec me,
will you be so good as to tell them that |
am engaged in an important conference
at the chambers of Mr.. Short in Pump
court, but that | hope to be back by half
past 81
In due course Fustacc and his legal adj
wiser arrived at Pump cOurs, and, oh. how
the heart of James, the barrlstcr. swellcd
eel
career he saw real solicitor enter his
chambers accompanied by real client.
He would, indeed, have preferred it if the
solicitor had not happened to be his twin
brother, and the client had been some
other than his intimate friend; but still
it was a blessed sight-a very blessed
sight!
f'Will you be seated, gentlemen?' he
said, with much dignity.
They obcyed.
"And now, Meeson, suppose you have
explained to my brother the matter on
which you require my advice
"No, | haven't" said Eustace; Il
thought that might as well explain it to
you both together, ch?'
Hum, said james; lit is not quite regu-
lar According to the etiquette of the pro-
fcssion to which have the honorto belong,
it is not customary that matters should be
so dealt with 1t is usual that papers
! should be presented; but that | will over
look, as the point appears to be pressing"
That's right, said Eustace. "Well,
/ have come about a will"
$50 | understood said James; "but
what will, and where is it,
"Well, it will in my favor, and it is
tattooed on lad,Ss back"
The twins simultaneously rose from
their chairs and looked at Eustace with
such ridiculous identity of movement
and expression that he fairly burst out
laughing.
II presume, Meeson, that this is not a
hoax, said James, severely. Il presume
that you know too well what is due to
learned counsel to attempt to make one
of their body the victim of practical
joker
Surely Mccson," added John, 'you
have sufficient respect for the dignity of
the law not to tamper with it in amy such
way as my brother has indicated?'
ooh, certainly not. l assure you it is
all square, 1t is u true bill, or rather a
true will"
Proceed" said James, resumng his
seat. ''rhs is evidently a case of an I'M
usual nature"
you are right there, old boy" said
Eustace. And now, just listen, and he
proceeded to unfold his moving tale with
much point and emphasis.
When he had finished, John looked Mt
James rather helplessly. The case was
beyond him. But James was equal to the
occasion. He had mastered that first
great axiom which every young barristcr
should lay to heart; "Ncver appear to be
ignorant"
'This case" he said, as though he were
giving judgment, ''is doubtless of IL re-
markable nature and | cannot at the mo
ment lay my hand upon any authority
bearing on the point-if, indeed, any such
are to be found. But | speak off hand,
and must not be held too closely to the
obiter dictum of viva vocc opinion. 1t
seems to me that, Notwithstanding its pc
culiar idiOsyncrasies, and the various
cruces that it presents, it will, upon
closer examination, be found to fall within
those general laws that govern the legal
course Of testamentary disposition. If
remember Alright speak of hand-the
Act of / Vic, cap. 26 specifics that will
shall be in writing, and tattooing NAV
fairly be defined as a rude variety of
writing, 1t is, | admit, usual that writ
ing should be done on paper or parchment,
but have no doubt that the young lady 3
skin, If carefully removed and dried
would make excellent parchment At
present, Their fore, it is parchment in its
green stage, and perfectly available for
+, writing purposes. To continue. 1t APP
pears-I am taking Mr.. Nelson's state
ments as being perfectly accurate-that
, the will was properly and duly executed
by the testatOr, or rather by the person
who tattooed in his presence and at his
, command; form of signature which is
very well covered by the section Of the
, Act of | Vic, cap 26 1t seems too. that
!. the witnesses attested in the presence Of
each other and Of the testator 1t is
true that there was no attestation clause;
but the supposed necessity for an attesta-
J ton clause is one of those fallacies of tho
q lay mind which, perhaps, cluster moro
frequently and with greater persistence