738
THE GREEN BAG
before the World take the excuse of madness; for compare my injuries and they will appear too sad a weight for reason to endure." An Oath's Value. — Clarence S. Darrow, the well-known lawyer and essayist, discussing the Haywood trial, in which he played so promi nent a part, said the other day: "Some of the evidence in that trial was so transparently false that it reminds me of a case that came off in Alabama a few years back. "One of the witnesses in this case was an extremely ignorant man. As his testimony progressed his ignorance became so shock ingly evident that the judge looking sternly down at him, said: "' Look here, sir, are you acquainted with the value of an oath? ' "The witness answered anxiously: "' Jedge, I hope I am. That thar lawyer on yer left hand gimme six dollars to sw'ar agin the other side. That's the correck value of an oath, ain't it, jedge? '" Rhapsody of a Young Lawyer. — Here at my roll-top desk I sit and bend me o'er a legal tome and have a pleasant sense, to wit, that I am really quite at home. The peace we cannot understand has claimed my spirit more and more : I yield at last to its demand — I like the interesting law. The steady drone of city streets floats gently through my win dow-pane: if I look out, my vision meets the sunshine and blue sky again. I much prefer these heavy books. Hark, — some one enters at my door, — a lovely lady, by her looks, — I like the pretty, fluffy law. "Ah, pardon me," the lady says. " A legal question bothers me." But all this time she does not raise her heavy veil the least degree. Imagination takes me fast through fame, romance, and fees galore —:am bition realized at last!!! I like the fragrant, juicy law. She adds, " I've just got my divorce from Bill and now I want to know when can I marry Jack? Of course you understand how these things go." "To-day," sigh I. Says she, " Your fee?" "One dollar."
"Here, — I'm glad I saw your sign. Goodday." Thus exit She I like the dreary, heavy law. Jim Field. Frost-bitten. — The sailing of Sir Frederick Pollock, Bart., Thursday from New York to Liverpool on the White Star steamer Cymric, after a short visit to this country, during which he attended the meetings in Portland of the International Bar Association, held a week or two ago, has brought to light the interesting story of the adventures of two of the younger members of the Penobscot Bar, .who attended the meetings of the association, says the Bangor Commercial. Sir Frederick, who is one of the most dis tinguished jurists of his time and the author of a famous work on Torts, which is to be found in every well ordered library, came to the United States solely to attend the meetings in Portland, and sailed for home at this early date, the purpose of his trip being accom plished. The two young members of the legal fra ternity in Penobscot County, wishing to avail themselves of the extraordinary opportunity offered by the meetings of the association to come in contact with the most famous men of the profession, sought introductions, when ever possible, to the distinguished personages present and made themselves as agreeable as might be. It was on an excursion down Casco Bay in a steamer, so the story goes, that one of the pair of lion hunters compassed an introduction to James Bryce, the British ambassador to the United States and author of the " American Commonwealth." The young barrister with natural tact made himself useful, pointing out the places of interest along the steamer's course, and enthusing over the beauties of the bay and the White Mountains, where the vener able diplomat was spending the summer. The second embryo chief justice viewed with envy his companion's success and the apparent ease with which he made the ambassador's acquaintance. He decided that it was time for him, too, to possess as friend and companion a distinguished personage, to whom he might be polite and exploit the scenery.
