The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-19

johnny went 10 the place named ana
found a seedy looking man who proved
to him that he was the owner of the
p%ocketbook by giving the exact num-
Der of bills it contained. John was
about to extract the reward when the
owner said to him:
There were certain vouchers in the
p%ocketbook which are more valuable
10 ME than money. Are they with the
bills?!'
There are no vouchers and were
none when l found the pocketbook."
was Johns reply.
The man began to storm at John,
calling him a thief. and while doing 80
attempted to snatch the pocketbook.
John resisted. and a scuf]e ensued.
Tenants in rooms adjoining came in
and. seeing what was taking place.
called the police. and the two oppo-
nents were arrested and taken to a
station.
When the case came up for examina-
hon the justice directed that the owner
Of the property in question bring suit
against John for the recovery Of his
property. This having been done, the
justice assigned John counsel, and the
cast of Hargrave versus Borlan was
tried at once.
Hargrave told how be had lost his
pocketbook. He had been walking the
street when he was jostled by some
men. He shouted for the police, and
the men ran. On reaching home he
discovered his loss. He supposed that
the robbers had dropped the pocket
book in their fight.
Johns counsel. a lawyer named Dex-
ter, advised his client to summon as
many persons as possible who knew
him to testify to his honesty. This
was done. and quite a number were
present. After taking their testimony
Dexter called Hargrave to the stand.
why did you not mention in your
advertisement" asked the lawyer, "the
vouchers you claim were in the pock-
etbook?'
Because they were not money and
of no value to any one but me-"
What was the nature Of the vouch-
ers?"
The witness h%esitated. then claimed
that they were receipted bills for
money expended.
Before the q 8 went to the Jury
Dexter claimed that he had proved
Johns good character and that there
was neither any evidence that he had
stolen the vouchers nor any necessity
for such evidence. because IL he had
been a thief he would have taken the
money and left the vouchers instead
Of taking the vouchers and leaving the
money. BE also claimed that his client
had a cause Of action against Hargrave
for Islander and that the evidence had
shown the plaintiff to be a miser. To
this the Judge added instructions that
were favorable to the defendant.
When the verdict was brought In the
foreman said that the jury had found
for the defendant. Since the pocket
book contained other articles than had
been mentioned BY the advertiser, 1t
could not be the one for which he had
advertised. Therefore the property be-
longed to the defendant until a claim.
ant for It could prove that It was bis.
Before John and his counsel had left
the court Hargrave's counsel came to
John and offered. on behalf Of his
client, all the money that was In it
and 500 for the book. Dexter at nee
became suspicious and made an exami.
nation Of the pocketbook. One side
being remarkable for it, thickness. he
inserted his knife between 1t and the
lining and took out seven $1,000 bills.
He at once called bis client to hin
for q private conference and showed
him the 6nd. John was astonished.
but he had decided to return both the
money be had found and the pocket
book to Hargrave. to whom he believed
1t rightfully belonged. He now took
the same ground with respect to the
concealed bills. "
'You will do no such thing" said
the lawyer. II I'M acting in your in
terest. and It H. my business to protect
you in. your rights. The miser tried
t.. beat you out Of the reward offered
and accused you Of being a thief.
Leave the matter to me and will
make an equitable settlement for you"
John finally consented to abide BY
whatever his counsel did in the mat
ter. and after a long conference with
Hargrave's attorney Johns lawyer an
nounced that a compromise had been
effected by which one-half of all the
contents should 80 to John and the
rest to Hargrave, this being the reward
offered in the advertisement for the
property.
"And now. young man." added Dex-
ter. Il would advise you to take the
money that has come to you and go
back to the country. You are not 1T
ted to make your way in the city.
There is plenty Of honesty here. but
there Is a lot of sharp practice. You
would be better where you were born
and raised. II you remain here this
money will soon slip through your 6n-
gers"
When John asked his lawyer for his
bill for legal services he was surprised
at the modest charge OF SO.
B John returned to the country with
bis capital and found Mabel waiting
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