THE LAWYER’S CLIENT.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VII, Issue 67, 12 September 1901, Page 2

THE LAWYER’S CLIENT.

A lawyer, who finally became one of bhe most prominent men in his profession, com menced his career in a small town by defending a man charged with stealing a pig from a neighbour. Ab first mat ters looked bad for bhe accused during the trial, but the lawyer was most eloquent in his defence. His speech abounded in rhetorical flowers and figures, and the final outburst of his eloquence brought everything to a climax of triumph, the jury delivering the verdict of “ nob guilty ” without leaving their seats, although the evidence of the prosecution tended to show undoubted guilb. The released man was most profuse in his words of gratitude, calling the lawyer his preserver, the champion of his honour, his liberty, and all chat life held dear to him. The lawyer acknowledged with becoming modesty his flood of thanks, but at last) began to hint that a financial acknowledgement would be more in order. “ To be sure, to be sure,” exclaimed the client eagerly, “ I won’t forgot about thab, and will pay you handsomely, too, I say, you be in your office to-nighb at twelve, and I’ll come round and settle things all right ” „ “ Twelve o’clock ! ” said the lawyer, in astonishment. “ Bless me ! Why do you fix bhab late hour ? ” “ Never you mind, sir,” returned he. “ I mean bo pay you, and pay you well. Don’t forget—twelve o’clock.” That night the lawyer sat in his small office awaiting the coming of the man whose reputation he had cleared. There was a hushed commotion in the rear of his establishment promptly at the hour of midnight, then a muffled knock at the door. % The lawyer answered it. “ Sh ! ” whispered the client hoarsely ; “ here I am.” “ Bub why is it thab you make such a secret of it ? ” “ Nob too loud,” was the answer. “Didn’t I say I’d pay you handsomely ? ” “ You did indeed.” “ Well, I mean to keep my word ; here it is. I’ve brought you some of the pig ! ” And there in the grimness of the night were deposited on bhe floor more than a hundred pounds of bacon from bhe stolen beast.