Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1889-04-18
MY FIRST CASE.
by JAMES FRANKLIN FITS.


were both much younger than they are
now. L had come out here with my
diploma, and opened law-office in one
of the large villages. Full of zeal and
ambition in my profession, l waited
patiently for month before a client
came. When the first one did come, a
notable experience resulted. am not
sure that it laid the foundation of my
prosperity; but it filled me with such
emotions as have never had before n
larger and more important cases. The
story is worth telling.
The first client drove up to the build
ing in which my Office was located in a
springless lumber wagon. He got out,
doubtfully examined my modest sign,
and then l heard the emphatic tread of
his great cowhide boots as he came up
stairs. Ny Office was the front of a
large store-room in which my hum
BILE array of books and stationery
was almost lost. 1 had observed his
motions outside and with great throb
of Joy devined his Grant. So when he
entered, 1 figured to be very busy
writing.
can see him now as he came in and
strobe up to my table-coat over his
arm, (for the weather was warm red
flannel shirt crossed by one suspender,
blue jean trousers tucked into his boots,
straw hat with ragged rim, and carry
ing long-lashed whip. He looked me
over critically before he opened his
mouth.
BE you the lawyer" he asked.
Il am; what can do for you?"
My assumed professional dignity did
not seem to make much impression on
him. He sat down on my other chair,
tilted it on its back legs, and continued
lis inspection.
Been in the law-business long?"
Not very"
"Think you hin plead?"
Sir l replied, Il am willing to
undertake any employment you
see fit to give me. If you are not
pleased with my appearance, you may
go elsewhere.
20 you needn't get riled! Thought
you looked little green; but You can't
always tell a good caow by her looks.
I'll tell We about my case. I've sued
Bill Stiggins fore old Squire Beazely
for the vally of one of my sheep his
yaller dog tore an killed. What's the
law for that? Can't 1 make him pay?"
Yes, certainiy-if you can prove he
owned the dog
wal, he did. He lies bout it, to be
sure; he'd lie bout anything. 1 reckon
l kin prove it; reckon I'll try, anyway.
How is it, stranger-will you plead for
me?"
How much was the sheep worth ?"
-Four dollars. Sheep is scarce an
high"
Don't you think it would pay
you to let it alone, rather than to
spend your time and money over such a
small AFFAIR." /
Ny prospective client got up and
kicked over his chair with Indignation.
Small affair, is it? Look here,
stranger; if want to sue Bill Stiggins,
l allow no lawyer amt o goin' to say l |
sha'n't."
"Of course not, I only meant"
Tain't no small affair nuther, When |
any of them Stiggins' dogs kills my
sheep, either I'll have the vally on it,
or Ill take it outen Bills hide"
consented to plead" for the price
of the eve against the owner of the dog;
and some days later my client came to
town again in his springless wagon, and
took me the most uncomfortable ride of
Twelve miles that it was ever my lot to
endure; over the toughest of roads.
The forum where the case was to be ad-
Indicated was the Justices house
at q crossroads. The report of the trial
had gone abroad, and something like
two hundred men and boys, with no
small representation of the softer sex,
were on hand to see the battle fought
out. Excitement ran high, public
opinion being about equally divided
upon the merits. The court was held
in the kitchen of the 'Squire's house, he
explained that he did not want to "muss
up the sitting-room over lawsuit. He
also admonished the crowd that over
flowed the room and darkened the door
and windows, that there was q *
child IN the next room, and that he
would commit to-oncet any man maxim
q row."
The trial dragged on through the day
and far into the night. NY opponent
was lawyer from a neighboring village,
and our continual sparring over the evil
dence and our long speeches on the case
when it was closed afforded the specta-
tors high entertainment. The point of
the contest was, as 1 had conjectured.
the ownership of the offending dog; the
late OF the victim was clearly established.
As to whether William Stiggins owned
dog; what description of dog it was:
whether it was in truth and in fact TIE
dog that had trespassed upon my clients
great variety of testimony
was offered of the most contradictory
nature. Throughout the trial the do
nestle operations went right on in the
'ame apartment, and the smell and the ,
'izziing of frying pork We're mingled .
With the proceedings of the former.
The door communicating with the adj
olnnS room was open, and the Squire
rose and went in to see the
.hild.
What's the matter with it, Squire -
nv opponent once asked.
Dunno. Some kind of breakin' ont.
10 on with the case" II
When it was finally closed and sub /
nitted, the court offered few remarks I
Il weight and authority.
The pint is diffikilt one to decide I
lie observed. ~Sheep-raisin' in q new ,
.entry Like this has got to be projected;
likewise 1 shouldn't be willin' to do =
nythin' onjest to the dogs. The court }
rill decide in four days. II
1t was broad daylight before I was :
Ieilvered again at home. exhausted
uite as much by inhaling for twenty I
lours the vitiated air of that crowded I
itchsn, and by the iolting Of my rides,
. ~ NJ labora u the case, Within | 8