Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-06-10
A CASE OF BLUFF.

| ca5iOnally, however, they meet their
match at unexpected times, when ii re-
quires all Of their trained nerve and re-
| sourcefulness 10 cope with the situation
An occasion Of this kind arose num-
| Der of years ago when man now prom
inent in Chicago was given to excessive
| flirting with the goddess of chance as
| represented by faro outfits and roulette
wheels. One night shortly after his ref
ormation he CHANGED to visit sure
thing joint on Wabash avenue in com
pany with a friend, who desired TO sepa-
rate a brace" game from some of its
ill-gotten gains
He had himself gambled hundreds OF
/ times and had never been arrested, but
/ 1t wss just his luck that the place was
raided upon the occasion when he was
an innocent bystander." Accordingly
he was angry with himself and resolved
/ to pay his fine and charge it to expert
once. When the matter came up before
me justice of the peace Attorney Will
/ liam S. Forrest appeared for the de-
PENDANTS. His appearance included
everyone, because of the fact that sim
| gle fine meant a fine for all
/ Mr.. Forrest promptly took a change
of venue, and upon appearance before
the second justice of the peace he made
an application for continuance The
| justice saw some money in sight and was
averse to granting the lawyers petition
| Forrest, however, was putting up one
of his best brands of legal bluff, and 1t
was beginning to take beautifully, when
! the reformed young man sprang to his
| feet
MIR. Judge" he shouted, this smart
( young lawyer does not represent me. |,
| for one, do not want any continuance
in mine, and won't stand for it."
The interruption amazed the lawyer,
who, however, promptly advanced an
other strong bluff.
Young man." he said. sternly, shak-
ing his forefinger at the defendant,
what do you mean by telling this court
what you know is not the truth. If you
did not wish me to represent you why
did you engage me to do so?"
That's fine front, Mr.. Judge" per-
sisted the young man, imperturbably,
but 1t doesn't go with me-"
]
asked the court, becoming interested in
| the situation.
"I'll tell you why. | don't want it I'M
derstood that am pleading the baby act
here; for I'm not I've gambled all my
| life until recently. In fact, I've bucked
! the tiger in season and out of season
and he's lunched off me a thousand and
one times to such an extent that didn't
have the price of hotel toothpicB
There have been countless times when
| richly deserved to be pinched, but have
escaped. Finally, when the pinch came
| to me it was the only time in my life
when | didn't deserve it. IN not holler-
in, however, and Pm not asking any
delay. This things gone far enough for
me. | don't like my company and want
to get rid of it. So I'm ready right here
and now to pay my little fine of s. or $40
and be quit of the whole thing And if
you catch me again you can make it a
million. with a workout in the BRIDE
we'll That goes with me and nothing
else. attorney or no attorney"
Here was the bluff that put MI For
rest in pickle. If the reformed anna
teur gambler were fined, the attorneys
entire bunch of clients-upward of 40 in
number-could not we'll escape the laws
penalty. Mr.. Forrest realized this ugly
fact very quickly. The scoring against
him in the case of fines and costs that
might foot up $3.50 or more was not to his
liking. incidentally would come the
loss of legal prestige. Instant action.
however, was necessary. Scarcely was
the sport" seated, when the attorney
again was addressing the justice.
IF the court please" began Mr.. For
rest, will your honor permit me five
minutes conference with my recalci-
trant client?"
Permission granted, Mr.. Forrest
turned to the young man and said: See
here, young fellow, | want to make a
bargain with you. Tell the court rep
resent you and I'll attend to your bond
and your fine, if there is any. Then you
sneak, and don't show your face in this
courtroom again for if you do think
shall brain you"
MY friend here is in the same boat
with me-" suggested the reformed gam
bier.
Take your blamed friend with you
on the same terms, and if you never
come back it will be too soon"
Mr. Judge" said the young man, aris-
ing, owing to my ineXperience in the
devious ways of the law, have commit
ted a grave error, for which desire to
apologize to this court and to this bril-
liant young lawyer, my attorney de.
sire to withdraw my protest against
continuance and to abide by Whatever
course my legal representative may Sc
lect"
Continuance granted" grumbled the
disappointed justice.
young man. said Mr. Forrest as his
whilom client was disappearing through
the door, my compliments You should
have been criminal lawyer. "-Chicago