Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/347

 320 It will be within the recollection of many that a somewhat similar ruse was adopted by one of the leading counsel of the present time in a trial of political importance, the whole case of which hinged upon the ques tion of the genuineness of certain letters. The most important witness was, while under examination, suddenly taken by surprise by being called upon to write down a particular word which occurred in the letters. The slip of paper was handed back with the word misspelt in an identically similar fashion as it appeared in the correspondence, and the clever forger was soon after detected in the witness himself. While some lawyers have been distin guished for their powers of extraordinary special pleading, others have been equally famous for the adoption of odd and whim sical ruses. In an action brought by a country news paper editor against a gentleman whom his paper had attacked, and who had thought that a thong whip was the proper implement for wiping out the indignity, the counsel for the plaintiff delivered a long and eloquent speech, in which he vividly depicted the cru elty and ill-usage to which his client had been subjected. Counsel for defendant rose, and, address ing the jury in a familiar tone, said that they had heard the eloquent speech from the other side, and, stripped of all its finery, the simple, naked English of the whole matter

was that the plaintiff had got a sound horse whipping. He should only say one thing in reply, and that was that he most richly deserved it. After a little consideration the jury, by their verdict, showed that they thought so too. Another instance of a laboriously pro duced effect being effaced by the simplest means was that of a breach of promise case. The barrister who in this instance held the brief for injured beauty, was famous for studying effect when he pleaded, and to that end arranged that his fair client should be so placed that her charms should be well under the observation of the jury. He began a most pathetic appeal by directing their atten tion to her beauty, and calling for justice upon the head of him who could wound the heart and betray the confidence of one so fair, concluding with a peroration of such pathos as to melt the court to tears. The counsel for the defendant then rose, and after paying the lady the compliment of admitting that it was impossible not to assent to the encomiums lavished upon her face, he added that nevertheless he felt bound to ask the jury not to forget that she wore a wooden leg. Then he sat down. The important fact, of which the fair plain tiff's counsel was unaware, was presently es tablished; and the jury, feeling rather sheep ish at their tears, assessed damages at the smallest amount. — London Tit-bits.