The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-02-06
LEGAL STRATEGY

Charles Lamb gives funny account
Of the origin of roast pig. The owner of
a litter of juvenile porkers, roasted to
death by the casual burning Of the fam
lily sty, in picking about among the
ruins and sorrowfully handling the
crisp remains CHANGED to burn his fin
gers. Clapping them to his mouth, be
tasted pleasure SO exquisite that 1t
made him at once forget his pain and
loss. Pouncing on the prize, he not only
dispatched the whole barbecue at sit
ting, but licked bis lips for more.
The story got wind, and the entire
country was ablaze with burning pig
pens, nor was it till many years after
that some adventurous innovator shock
ed the adherents Of conservative cook
cry by proposing new and less expen-
sive process Of preparing favorite
dish.
1t Is not for Us lawyers to laugh at
this. None has been more prone than
we to roast pigs according to precedent
All Of us can remember when In every
action to recover the value Of one
mans property wrongfully appropriate
ed by another It was necessary to al
lege fictitious losing by the former
and finding by the latter and all be-
cause the first case Of the sort, hum
dreds Of years ago, happened to be one
Of real losing and finding. Nay, have
even known the loss and finding of a
patch OF cabbages to be solemnly aver
red, and no lawyer thought OF smiling
at it
In the department. of evidence we
have been especially slow to learn. If
you want to know how cramped and
artificial its rules are just get into the
witness box to tell all you know about
some case and see how much you'll be
let to tell
Very adroit was the march that Lite
LOOm1s stole on the statute Of limita-
tons." Lite was the factotum Of Guys
Neck. He did miscellaneous business
as carpenter. COW doctor and coffin
maker, adding to his other functions
that Of undertaking to the county poor
house. He was withal an easy, good
natured fellow. free to trust and a
most indulgent creditor.
Among the others whom Lite had
trusted to his cost was Greg Crimes,
without exception the greatest promise
maker and breaker in Guys Neck. l
verify believe he would If possible have
put creditor off to the last judgment
and then, on the score Of its being a
busy day. have begged him to wait till
tomorrow.
Greg had wheedled Life with prom
ises till the latter's claim was OUTLAW
ed" Losing patience at last, Life took
his account over to the squire's, when,
to his no small discontinue, he learned
that unless he could get a new promise
from his debtor, with witness to it,
he might whistle for his bill.
Such fellows as Greg always know a
good deal Of law, especially the sharp
points Of It Greg would talk as freely
and was as fun Of promises as ever
when he and Lie were alone, but be-
fore others would either evade the sub
ject or else remain provokingly mum.
One day Lite drove up to Gregs door
with his old gray mare and spring wag,
on, plain pine cof1in-one Of those fat
topped affairs deemed good enough for
poor fOlks-being visible behind the
seat
"Mornin', neighbor," said Life.
Same to you" said Greg. Coin to
plant pauper, see."
"Y-a-a-s. Old Boke took rather sud
dent leave last night and went to try
the charity Of another worid.''
(Which is no more'n fair" said Greg,
"seein' how long he's lived on the char
ity Of this"
Would you mind gittin' in and COM
in along. neighbour" said Life. Its
mighty dull goin' to funeral all alone
by oneself"
Greg didn't mind and straightway
mounted by Lije's side.
The two chatted away after a sort
to prove how cheerful good company
can render even grave occasion.
Il s'pose you hewitt forgot that little
bill o mineY' Lie at last took the lib
erty to hint
Not by no means" said Greg. Lets
see, now. How much did you say it
was? misremember rightly"
Even $69. besides seven years. in
terest"
Quite right" Greg assented. II rec
ollect it now."
"Ef it's at all inconvenient to par
It," said Ate, don't put yourself out
ON no account"
Tive been threatenin' to settle It for
a month back" said Greg "but times
hev been tight, an'-an' how would
Monday week do?'
ITO dot" answered Life.
'T'u send It round" said Greg.
A curious sound came from the COT
f1n-the ghost of a chuckle, Durdles
would have called it. Greg gave one
jump and ''lit" In an adjacent COW pas
ture. Looking back, he saw Lies