The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-10-01
A LAWYERS MISTAKE.
he Caught a Thief, but Managed to
Lose a Client.
Lewiston journal.


In Central Maine village lives a smart
attorney squire D, who has a well
estaollsned reputation for being able to
see through milestone that hasn't any
hole in it.
This lawyer had a farm several miles
distant from his home and also remote
from nelghDors. AT the time TO which
this story refers the premises were unoc-
cupled. though In the cellar were stored
for future needs quantity of sailed pork
and other articles produced on the farm.
Squire D became convinced from
appearances that some person was steal.
ing his pork from his cellar. He did a
little mental sizing up of the various per-
sons living within reasonable distance
of the place, with due account of the prob
abilities Tor and against, and soon, with
legal acutepess, arrived at conclusion in
regard 10 the offender which was a correct
one.
The next thing was to catch the thief in
the ACT so he could convict him. Reflect
ing upon the amount OF pork already osi,
the size of the offenders family, their
manner Of living, etc., he concluded that
more pork" would be needed at a certain
date, and then probably visit to the
cellar would be made. 1t would be in the
night time. of course. to prevent observa-
ton by persons who might be passing that
way.
The evening fixed upon in his calcula-
tons saw the lawyer making his way eau
tiously to the place. Taxing position iu
a corner of the cellar not far from the
pork barrels he awaited results. His
vigil was rewarded, for before he had
been long concealed in the darkness there
was a rafting at the roliway entrance.
The fastenings were und0ne and then q
person came into the cellar. His first act
after getting inside was to strike a match
aud light lantern he had brought with
him.
The light, of course. revealed the person
distinctly-the very one whom the lawyer
had suspected. 1t had the further effect
also of revealing the lawyers presence
when the thief started in the direction of
his plumber. But the latter was AS quick
witted as the legal gentleman himself. A
smile overspread his features and extend
ing his hand for cordial shake ne ad-
vanced to the squire.
s There. just my good luck" he cried
with apparent gladness. Il reckoned
you'd be M here b. mt this time. an told
my folks I'd come over az sec IL yot S
here; | didn't fluid we outside an l had To-
get in. l wanted to c'Esult We. squire.
bout heifer o mine that OLD Jones down
ter the corner, you known, says is his.
cause he has claim on her mother.
didn't want ter go way down ter yer ace
ter see We, fer l a retty busy Jest ivy !;
so thought # 1 could catch We up here
'twould save me the trouble. Naow,
squire, what dye think bout it? Duz a
man, cause he's got a claim on cow, own
her calf?"
The we'll simulated. honest look of the
man and his artful dodge to get himself
out of the trap raised Squire D-'s ire to
the top notch. Win eyes and tongue full
of righteous Indignation at the thief's
craft and temerity. he began an outpour of
the kings English on the rogue that made
the rats and mice flee in terror from the
place.
He started to gra b the thief by the collar
10 administer justice then and there. But
the fellow was too quick Tor him and
slipped away. muttering as he went:
well, Squire D., when / want any law
hereafter | snan't consult you, We may de-
pend on that"
The squire. left alone with his pork and
his meditations, soon cooled down and
burst out laughing at the cheek and adroit-
ness of the man he had set the trap for.
And he concluded, as he took long ard
lonesome ride home after the adventure,
that 1T would be cheaper to remove his
property to place of safety than to reik
longer on the terrOrs of the law for it's
protection.