The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-13


an examination of the declaration and Il
recent act of the General Assembly, I be-
came convinced that the plaintiff mad no
ease against my client and l denurred 10
the declaration. On the day set for near
ing, | went into court with a copy OF Inc
act and sat with 4,apitating heart waiting
for my antagonist who was not prompt 10
| appear At length he arrived and L got
up and with trembling voice read the act
Colonel Darlington said: Whats that!
What's that?' and took the book out OF
my hand. He then adjusted his spectacles
and read for some time and throwing down
the book took up his hat and without
waiting for a decision, left the courtroom,
remarkns as ne went out: 'Tripped up by
another COMPOUNDED statute.
shall never forget the first time Nat
tempted to address a jury. My speech
had been carefully prepared, but it did not
pected it would be- The judge and jury
were nearly all my intimate friends, but
I could not have been more awed had they
been Princes and sPotentates. They look
ed SO solemn and wise. E;ut after / be
came familiar with the sound of my own
voice composure was to some extent re-
stored. But this did not equal the fright
I experienced during my first case IN the
Court of Appeals. / remember there were
tipsaff and the opposing lawyer in the
courtroom at the time. But had | been
speakng to the assembled universe, the
occasion could not have been more awe
inspiring. After I had been speaking
short time. dear old Judge Moncure leaned
over the bench and placing his hand be-
hind his ear. said: viii you please state
that proposition again
NEARLY COLLAPSED.
The tone was really gentle and kindly,
but it sounded to me like Gabrlels trun-
pet, and [ nearly collapsed, but Judge
Christian smiled encouragangly and con-
tinued on and left the courtroom under
the impression that 1 had made fool OF
myself L had omitted so much l ntend-
ed to say, but had won my case. Ny ad-
vice to a young lawyer would be: DO
everything as well as you possibly can
If your bill, declaration. plea or brief does
not suit you, white and rewrite until IL
does prepare your cases thoroughly by
hard study and thought. Train the mem
DRY by writing out the pointseand commit
ting them to memory and then tear UP
the paper so that you will not rely upon
the notes. Study human nature. Learn
The idiosycracies of the jurors. DO not
fiatter them too much or take them for
fools Be courteous to your opponent at
all times and give the Judge credit for
knowing some law. Submit gracefully TO
an adverse ruling. If beaten on one point,
try to raise some other, but let it be at
least plausible. NOT ridiculous Be reason
ably persistent. Be like a crumpled bulls
hide, If pressed down at one point mop
up an another. Many cases have, been
won after they have been seemingly lost
Advise your client honestly If in your
opinion. he has no case, tell him So II
he has a fighting chance, let him assume
the responsibility of the contesCand then
do your best for him. Never engage IN
cause which you know TO be the cause of
oppression and injustice. You may lose
fee but IT will pay in the end Never
keep a clients money twenty-four hours in
your possession, If 1t is practicable to pay
it over to him.
The law is a jealous mistress. 1T you
would be a great lawyer devote yourself
to the profession. Light reading may and
should be INDUCED in as recreation and
relief to the strain of intense application.
This IS a day of speciaitieS in all of the
professions and it would be well Ii a young
LAWYER can do so. to devote himself to
some special branch OF the law. BY do
ing so he may become proficient and dis
tins11iss1ed in his speciality, whereas he may
fritter away his time in the attempt to
master too much. The reading alone Of
| current Authorizations on all subjects will
consume all the time of most lawyers.
I Most young lawyers are. however, COM