Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/655

608 He had a great fond regard and esteem for Vidyasagar. He is said to have acquired a drinking habit; but he was always very cautious not to offend his friend by giving him occasion to be aware of his intemperance. He often visited Vidyasagar at the latter's residence after Court hours. When he was a pleader, he appeared before him in his professional dress, and even when he became a Judge, he never felt degrading to present himself before his old friend in his gown, Now and then he passed his nights with Vidyasagar. He was a great help to our benevolent hero in many of his noble deeds, particularly in rescuing the poor tenants from the hands of the oppressive zemindars. When Dwark Nath was still a pleader, some Brahmans one day came to Vidyasagar and charged their Zemindar, Babu Jaykrishna Mukharji of Uttarpara, with usurpation of their Brahmotra (rent-free) lands. Vidyasagar aided them in their law-suits against their Zemindar. At his instance, Dwarka Nath conducted these cases without fee or remuneration. On one occasion, Dwarka Nath said to his friend,—'Lest you should think, that I return these cases simply because I am not paid for them, I come to offer my explanation. These people have no title to the lands in dispute. Had there been the slightest evidence in their favour, I would surely have given my life for them.' Vidyasagar now saw that Jay Krishna was quite blameless in the matter. He had entertained very different