Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-07

Only EauaIed by His Conscientious
ness in Taking Cases.

From the Pittsburg Commercial Gazette.
Even as early as 1872 Lincoln had
quired a reputation for storytelling. When
not busy during the session of the court ne
was "habitually whispering stories to his
neighbors. frequently to the annoyance of
Judge Davis, who presided over the eighth
circuit" If Lincoln persisted too long the
judge would rap on the chair and exclaim:
"Come. come. Mr.. Lincoln; l can't stand
this, There is no use trying TO carry on
two courts. 1 must adjourn mine or yours,
and l think you will have to be the one"
As soon the group had scattered the
judge would call one of the men to him and
ask: What was thai Lincoln was telling?'
In his law practice Lincoln seems to have
been singularly conscientious. his first eff
fort being 10 try TO arrange matters SO as
10 avoid litigation. Nor would he assume
case that he felt was not founded upon
right and justice.
We will not take your case" he said to
man who had shown that by legal tech
nlc1lity he could win property valued at
500 You must remember that some
things legally right are not morally right.
We Will not take your case, but will give
you little advice. for which we will
charge you nothing You seem to be
spriEhtly, energetic man: We would advise
You To try your hand at making $500 in
some other way"
One of the most interesting anecdotes is
the one quoted from Joe Jeffersons auto
biography. Jefferson and his father were
playing at Springfield during the session of
the legislature, and, as there was no thea
ter in the town, had gone to the expense of
building one Hardly had this been done
when religious revival broke out. The
church people condemned the theater and
prevailed upon the authorities to impose a
license which was practically prohibition
I'm the midst Of our trouble" says Jener-
son. "a young lawyer called on the man
ayers He had heard of the injustice and
offered. If they would place the matter in
his hands. 10 have the license taken Off de-
claring that he only desired to see fair
play. and he would accept no fee whether
he failed or succeeded. The young lawyer
began his harangue. He handled the sub
5ect with tact, skill and humor, tracing the
history OF the drama from the time when
Thespis acted in a cart to the stage of to-
day lie illustrated his speech with a num-
Ter OF anecdotes and kept the council in a
roar of laughter. His good humor pre-
vailed and the exorbita Mt tax was taken
off, The young lawyer was Lincoln"
Another one OF these anecdotes is related
In connection with case involving a bod
lily attack. Mr.. Lincoln defended and toll,
the jury that his client was in the fix of !,
man who. in going along the highway with
pitchfork over his shoulder was attacked
by a fierce DOG that ran out at him from q
farmers dooryard. In parrying Off the
brute with the fork its prongs stuck into
him and killed him.
What made you kill my dog?' said the
farmer.
What made him bite mer
But why did you not go after him with
the other end of the pitchfordr
Why did he not come at me with his
ether end?' At this Mr.. Lincoln whirled
about in his long arms an imaginary dos
and pushed his taiiend toward the Jury
This was the defensive plea of 'Son as
sault demesne"-loosely. that THE Other
and in way the dullest mind would GRASP
and retain