The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-05-01
A YOUNG LAWYERS START
THE QUEER STORY ON WHICH 4 SEA
 CAPTAIN BASED 4 CLAIM.

Captain by an English Cruiser, and
 Bargain With the Commander of the
 Latter-It Founded the Success of a New
 York Lawyer.
 "There are few lawyers who have achieved a moderate share of success who cannot trace it back to one partic- cular case or to a specially fortunate stroke of some kind" said lawyer whose success was recognized long ago
 q have heard many lawyers tell of
 their first case, and have always been
 interested in such stories; but l am 1n-
 clined to think that my first case was
 more interesting than any that l have
 ever heard of.
 My experience when I began the
 practice of law was similar for year
 to that of other young men, l suppose,
 but I thought that it was harder at
 the time. I was graduated from the
 Law School in 1858, and l promptly opened small office in Nassau street,
 and announced the fact by modest
 sign.
 At the end of my first year my little
 cal tai was nearly exhausted and was
 wondering what my next move would
 be, when one afternoon man walked
 In and said:
 "Ive come to see you about bit or law, sir He pulled off battered sea-
 mans cap, and sat down awkwardly Tn
 a chair His appearance didn't promise
 much of retaining fee. His face was
 weatherbeaten and his hands were
 rough and black, with stumpy hngers He wore an old blue reefer jacket and
 wide sailors trousers, and his voice filled my office. He introduced himself as Captain In the merchant service,
 and because he may be still alive Tor
 all know, I shall call him simply Capt.
 Barnes.
 Are you something of sea lawyer, sir?' he inquired suspiciously. q do a general law business, l an swered stiff1y, and If you will briefly explain your case I will consider it. Capt. Barnes moved around uneasily in his chair ss if debating my offer and then he fished a very dirty piece Of pa per out of the lining of his cap and passing it over to me, said:
 Will you collect what's due me on
 that?'
 Ut was the most curious document on which to base a suit that ever saw The paper on which it was written was
 page torn from a small Bible such as
 ships carry, and it had been handled so
 much that it was nearly black. Across
 one page was written in red ink; q promise to pay Capt. Barnes one fifth of one-third of the prize money resulting from the sale of the Nancy Bell.
 Great John, Commander H. R. M. ship Sprite.
 q read this interesting document over twice, and then turning to the
 Captain I said
 This isn't much proof for a suit What is the meaning of it?'' Tt means, sir, that the English gov ernment owes me about $500 for my share in that prize money and l want it.
 How does the English Government happen to owe you money?" Because it seized my ship, sir, and that paper proves it.
 If there is any merit in your case will take it' I said, but l must know the whole story.
 Capt. Barnes looked a t me reflectively and then he told me his story. l can't reproduce his sea slang, but Iremember his story almost word for word. '" "'It happened last year said the captain, and It was a piece of bad luck.
 You see, sir, I was loafing around Char | leston looking for ship and ready to | take almost anything. l was in hard luck, and just as I was ready to ship as | a mate, if I could get chance, my
 luck changed. A big firm of shippers | told me that I could have the Nancy | Bell if I knew how to keep a close ton- que and was willing to sail under sealed | orders. There were queer things going on at sea, as you know, sir, and l wasn't in position to pick and choose, | Perhaps l may have guessed the cargo I of the Nancy Bell was to be and per- haps not I don't say one way or the other. She was trim little craft carry ling a good head of sail, and as I looked l her over at the dock I made up my mind that she could show clean pair of heels in a stiff breeze. I signed as Captain and the company shipped the crew. Il was mixed lot, sir, but I am not afraid of sailors anywhere. I got a | tip to keep out of the way until the Nan i cy Bell was ready to sail, and l didn't see thing that was put into her hold. It was just year ago April } that we sailed out of Charleston harbor under orders to go to the Eight of Benin and there open sealed orders that would | give me further directions. Where is the Eight of Benin? We'll, sir, it's in the | northern portion of the Gulf of Guinea, l between the Slave Coast and the Gala 1 bar River, and it's not place to go for pleasure cruise. The whole coast along there is inbound, and the riv- along there is irin-bound. and the riv- | CTS don't offer any protection. We had quick voyage, and one pleasant morning we brought to in | sight of the coast. We were all in good l spirits, because if our cruise was sue | cessful We were to get extra pay. l or dered portion of rum to be served all around, and we drank to continued luck. Then I went into my cabin to open my sealed orders, and hardly had I got the envelope in my hands when there was suspicious whiz above deck,