The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-05-19
WIT OF BARRIsTERs.
Amusing Anecdotes Related Of soms
Celebrated English
LnWrern

"Apfopoa OF WITNESSES and counsel {.
says the writer OF most interesting
article on Lawyers" in the London
blackwood's Magazine, Il think the
most seathing retort that ever read
was the following, which saw In some
country newspaper report Of an asslze
case: 4 counsel had been eross-exam-
lining a witness for some time with very
little effect, and had sorely taxed the
patience ofthe judge. the jury and e. cry
one Ia court. At last the Judge inter-
yened with an imperative hint 70 the
learned gentleman 20 conclude bis cross
examination. The counsel. who received
this Judicial intimation with a very bad
grace, before telling the witness TO stand
down accosted him with the parting sar-
easm: All. you're a clever fellow. a very
clever fellow We can oil see that
The witness. bending over from the box
quietly reiorted. I would return the
eompliment-if were not on oath!'s
Another story Is told IN the same arti-
Gle OF Edwin James. 4 famous barrlsser
who was disbarred for unprofesslonal
conduct Just as he was about TO be made
solicitor general Edwin James was
noted for his eonsummate Impotence
At one time be lived IN some West End
chambers, for which the unfortunate
landlord could never succeed in obtain.
Ing any rent Az last he had recourse
70 an expedient which he hoped might
arouse his tenant 10 4 sense of his ohll- !
cations. He asked him n be would be
kind enough to advise him on little
legal matter IN which be was con
eerned. and. on James acqulesclnr. drew
up a statement specifyisF hts own griev-
arce against the learned counsel and /
asking him 70 state what be considered
the best course for q landlord 10 take
under such conditions The paper was
returned to him the next morning with
the following sentence subjoined:
TN my opinion. this ls case which 4
admits Of only one remedy; Patience
Edwin James
The single defect Of that genius
among Judges, the late Lord Bowen
was perhaps ~ undue proeilvity for
irony. which on one occasion he IN
dalged IA from The bench. with dlsas-
srous effect on the juFy. Shortly aftsr
be appointment a. a nulsne judge he
vas trying burglar in some country
town, and BY way OF mitigating The
iedium Of the proceedings summed IN
something in the following fashion.
You viii have observed. gentlemen.
hat the prosecuting counsel LAID great
itress on he enormlty Of the offenss
With which the prisoner is charged. but
think f is only due 70 the prisoner 10
'oint ous that IN proceeding about hls
nterprise he e all events displayed
emarkable consideration for the ln-It
aases Of the house. For instance. rath. h
r than disturb the owner. an invalid
sdy. as you vii have remarked. with !,
ommendable solicltude he removed hts
'oots and went about IA his stockings.
Notwithstanding the inelemency Of the
FEATHER Further, instead Of rushing 4
nth needless Fapaelty into the pantry he \
arefully removed the coal scnstle and !,
n other obstacle which. had h
houFhtiessiy colIlded Wiz them. would
are created g noise that must have =
reused the lnded aerNants from their
'eil-aarned renoza III
After pFoceedlaf b lhls strain IA =
ome little tine = ned the lurz /.
, consider their ffrtt8 erf vrs hcs 4
nF struck when. ct falafa lrss
purf they pronounced Ie eissal q Y
i prisoner I0