judge. When candidate for the supreme bench, he was met one day by Brannan.
"Murray," said Sam, "you must have a devihsh deal of impudence to run for that office; what do you know about law 1 "
"That's just what's the matter, Sam," replied Murray, "I don't know much about it, and I am too lazy to study. If I am elected, knowledge will flow m upon me spontaneously. Every lawyer who comes before me will be a teacher, and I will reap the benefit of his studies unworn by midnight vigils."
Suits involving large amounts, where both sides bid for a favorable decision, called forth Judge Murray's utmost skill in legal legerdemain. It was scarcely the thing to take a bribe on both sides; honor would not permit it; with honor lost, all is lost. But if a litigant should make the judge a present wholly on account of his genial company and fine social qualities, or should the judge be asked to keep a sum of money until called for, would this prevent an honorable judge from receiving a bribe on the other side? Such were the points the early magistrates were obliged to decide, and which very often proved a severe strain upon their learning to do and at the same time to satisfy and conciliate both sides.
Justice at Sutter's fort during the autumn of 1848, like everything in that vicinity at that time, was greatly demoralized. Gold was the cause of it. The quiet hills and sleepy canons suddenly became pandemonium. Soon after the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill, several stores for the sale of general merchandise were opened at the fort. Some of these were within the walls, occupying the angles of the enclosure, and others standing without. Merchants and miners there met and exchanged their commodities; and as round this traffic, like thirsty flocks about a spring, strag
