The daily Alaskan. [volume] (Skagway, Alaska) 1904-1924, 1906-08-20
His First Case In Court
tOriginaLI

How he was TO pay his way no one
knew, for he had not a cent in the
world. Moreover. there was love
match between him and his school
mate, Maggie PiXley, the beginning OF
which neither could remember. The
affair first began to look serious when
George went to college. At least, 1t
was then that Maggie's father first
took notice of it and showed his oppo-
sltiOn. He reminded his daughter that
she was at a marriageable age, while
her lover had four years at college,
three at law school and no one could
tell how many more IN getting q prac-
tice at his profession, But all this de-
pended on his getting the money to
pay his expenses Maggie made up her
mind TO wait for George Crawford.
George at his entrance to college won
a scholarship that by dint Of rigid
economy helped him through his first
year. After that he did odd jobs,
taught. won prizes, thus Scraping to-
gether enough TO put him through col
lege. When il came TO studying law.
be found position In school requlr-
ing but few hours OF each day. This
gave him what he needed 10 complete
bis legal education.
George was advised by most OF his
professors t. plant himself in a large
city. hut one of them. differing from
the rest recommended the country.
where. IL the field was smaller the
competition WAS less. George chose the
country and settled In his native vii
lage.
When one finds himself ON the wrong
side Of question the more the case
goes against him the closer he is tempt
ed 10 cling 10 il. MagSle'S father was
the notary Of the village, and, having !
once studied a little law in country |
Office, now found his daughters sutton, |
whom he had opposed. looking down on !
him from comparatively high legal |
pinnacle. His opposition to the match |
was more obstinate than II had been |
seven years before.
Judge PlNley, as he had come to be |
called by his fellow citizens who knew
his weakness in respect to legal lore, |
was the recipient of many small trusts. /
One day four men came together to
his office and after asking II he We're
Judge PiXley. laying stress on the
Judge" asked him to take charge of .
some $4,000 till they should call for
1t again. Offering him large fee The
notary, without stopping to inquire
whence the men came. accepted the
trust and at their request drew up q
receipt. ending with an agreement TO
pay over the money when called for
to each and every one of those who
had left 1t with him and TO none OF
them separately. This done, they de-
parted
In few minutes the spokesman Of
the party. who had battered the no
tary. returned and said that he wished
to count the money. PiXley put him
at table with the bills and during the
counting was called for a moment into
another room. When he returned both
the man and the money had vanished.
This was the Severest blow the no
tary had ever received The only prop
erty he possessed was his dwelling.
and he had been years paying of a
mortgage upon it, To replace the lost
money would require the sacrifice Of
the house and something besides. The
old man was in an agony. He spent
what ready money he had going to the
city and consulting lawyers. all OF
whom told him that the theft Of one Of
the depoSitors did not absolve his In
debtedness to the others.
He was not kept long in suspense.
In few days the men. excepting the
thief, returned and claimed their prop
erty. Not receiving it. they entered
suit against PiXley. and as there was
but little business before the court the
case was soon called for trial There
was no lawyer In the place except
George Crawford. and Plxley- had no
money with which to pay a lawyer.
Maggie begged George TO do something
for her father. and the old man was
obliged to intrust his case to the per
son he so bitterly opposed.
Ou Iue Jay VI INC NAlol GASSIAGAN
counsel appeared on behalf Of the
claimants, who made speeches setting
forth the villainy OF the rascal who
had sought to defraud these honest
men OF their dues" Crawford sat
without protest 10 these charges, the
gaping villagers setting him down for
vers poor lawyer for not hurting
them back in the attorneys teeth. The
Judge and jury were not averse to Pix
ley. but they did not see how they
could obey the law and not find a YER
diet for the plaintiff.
When the case against the defendant
had been stated and George arose II
was hoped that at last he would make
a fiery speech accusing the claimants
Of collision besides other crimes and
set forth the high standing the defend
ant had held in the community. In
stead he called for a reading Of the re-
celpt. When the reader came to the
words shall pay to the said (the names
here followed together and not sepa-
rately" George called halt and said:
Your honor. l ask for a dismissal
OF the case against my client on the
i