Danbury Times

A Clear Case of Conscience.—We
have lately heard a story connected with a
prominent lawyer who has distinguished
himself in the defense of criminals as well as
in connection with other trials, having fre-
quently through his skill aided the most
hardened criminals to escape from justice.
Some time ago, while our friend was attend-
ing court in a neighboring town, he was applied
to by a singular specimen of humanity,
charged with larceny, to defend him.
The
lawyer naturally inquired what crime he was
accused of. The man replied that some
one had been mean enough to charge him
with stealing one hundred and fifty dollars
in bank notes, and had got him indicted.
"Are you guilty?" asked the lawyer.
"That's none of your business," replied the
accused, "They say that it makes no dif-
ference with you whether a man is guilty or
not, you will contrive to dig him out in
some way. So don't talk any more about
guilt until you hear what the jury says."
"Well, what about the pay?" asked the
lawyer.
"You just hold on till the trial is over;
give L (the complainant) Jesse on the cross
examination, and the other witness he has
got to back him up, and you will have no
trouble about the pay."
The trial commenced and proved to be a
somewhat protracted and exciting one. The
District Attorney proved that the money in
question was composed of two $50 bills on
a certain bank, and the remainder of $10
bills, all of which were wrapped up in a
piece of oiled silk. The jury, after listening
to the counsel in the case, and receiving the
charge, retired, and soon brought a verdict
of not guilty. The accused, who was great-
ly elated with the result of the trial and the
effort of his counsel, invited the latter into
one of the vacant jury rooms. As soon as
they were alone, he slapped his counsel on
the shoulder, and exclaimed
"Free as water, ain't I? What's the use
of trying a man for stealing when you're
around? Now, I s'pose you want your pay?"
"Yes; have you got anything to pay with?"
said the lawyer.
"Lend me your knife, and we'll see about
that."
The lawyer slightly started at such a prop-
osition, rather reluctantly complied.
The accused immediately commenced cut-
ting and ripping away at the waistband of
his pantaloons, and soon produced the roll
of bills, for the stealing of which he had just
been tried, which was wrapped up in the
identical piece of oiled silk described by the
witnesses for the prosecution, and throwing
it down on the table before the astonished
lawyer, exclaimed:
"There, take your pay out of that; I
think there's enough to pay you tolerably
well."
"Why, you villain, you stole that money
after all!" cried the lawyer. "Do you think
I can take that money?"
"Stole that money! Why, what are you
talking about? Didn't those twelve men
up there just say I didn't steal it? What's
the use of your trying to raise a question of
conscience, after twelve respectable men
have given their opinion upon the subject?
Take your pay out of that, and ask no ques-
tions. Don't be modest in taking; I got it
easy enough, and you have worked hard
for it."
Our informant did not state how much
the lawyer took, but we presume the chap
didn't have much change left after our
friend had satisfied his conscience in the
premises.