Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/166

136 demanded it, the following anecdote will prove:—

One day he was just preparing to go to dinner, when a telegram was handed to him from a lawyer in Youngstown. The telegram read:—

"Cannot possibly get to Canton to-day. Have case there at two o'clock. Have it postponed if you can, or do your best."

McKinley read the telegram and then looked at his watch. It was just quarter past twelve. There was exactly an hour and three-quarters in which to learn what the case was about and get up his argument for a postponement. He did not then dream of going further with the case.

At five minutes of two he was in the court-room, and when the case was called he promptly moved an adjournment and stated his reasons.

"I object to an adjournment," said the opposing counsel, who thought he saw his way clear to getting a judgment. "This case has been adjourned twice already. We are all prepared to go ahead, and the defendant should be, likewise."