Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-07-30
His First Victory.

his TlTSL victory.
"Private John Allen of Mississippi,
who became the wit of the house
of representatives with the death of
Sunset Cox, tells a good story on him
self of how he came to be a profound
lawyer.
A party OF members We're telling
yarns in the cloak-room of the house
and when Aliens turn came he told
this one:
Il want to tell you of the greatest
legal victory of my life said Allen,
as he lighted a cigar and propped
his eetagainst the wall N true south
ern style. SIT was down in Tupelo,
during the trying period just after
the war. | was at that time prac-
ticing lawycr-that is, | practiced
whenever 1 had any case to practice
with. One day old Uncle Pompey,
one of the old negroes of the settle
ment, came into my Office and said:
"'Mars John, l wants you to cl'ar
me. Ise gwine to be rested for steal
in Of two hams out'en de cross-road
sto.''
"'Well, Pompey,' I asked, did you
steal the nams?'
" MARS John, Just took EN-
Did any one see YOU? asked.
-" Var, boss said the old negro,
disconsolutely, two OF white buck
ras.'
"'Well, Pompcy, I replied, 4 can't
do anything for you under the cir
cumstances.'
"'Now, Mars John, said old Pom
pev, heres $40. jist want you to
try
''Well, I consented to try" said
Allen. "The case was to be heard be-
fore an old magistrate named John
son. He was totally educated,
and was, moreover :, perfect dicta-
tor, and no negro ever came before
him who was not fined Tie maximum
penalty and sent to his field to ex-
plate the crime in the sweat Of his
brow.
"The magistrate heard the case.
Every possible proof was brought to
show that Polnpey stole the hams.
There could be no doubt of it from
the testimony. did not put a
single question to any of the Witness
es, but when the testimony was all
in l arose and in my most dignified
manner addressed the magistrates:
"'May it please your honor, it
would be useless for me to argue the
position he holds, and before one who
would adorn the Superior if not the
Supreme court bench Of this grand
old commonwealth. And l may say
that those who know you best say
that you would grace even the Su-
preme court OF the United States, the
highest tribunal in the land. 1t will
be useless to dwell upon the testi-
mony. You have heard it, and know
the case as we'll as do However,
it may not be out Of order for me to
call your honors attention to a
short passage in the old English law,
which clearly decides this case, and
which, for the moment, your honor
may have forgotten
"Then | tished down into my
pocket and drew forth, with Il great
flourish, an old copy Of Julius Cesar
l opened it with great dignity to the
first page and read the line which is
familiar to every schoolboy: 'Omnia
Gallia it parties tres divisa est
That decides the case, said l, throw
ing the book upon the table. That
clearly acquits the defendant.'
''With great dignity and solemnity
/ then took my seat. The old magis-
trate was completely nonplussed. He
looked at me moment q1lizzically
and scratched his head. Then, turn
ing to Pompey, he raised himself to
his full height and said:
"'Pompey, | know You stole them
hams, but by the ingenuity, ofyour
lawyer I've got to let you go. Git
OUT said he, as he planted his No.
Gin the seat of Pompcys pants, and
if you ever come here again, lawyer
orno lawyer, yougit six months. -
Atlanta Constitution.