Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/207

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The Green Bag.

de Reckaw. One of the Icelandish books is like wise styled " Speculum Regale. There is also, in Schrevelius's " Teutonic Antitjuities," a collection of the ancient laws of Pomerania and Prussia, un der the title of" Speculum." Surely all this cannot he the effect of pure accident.

FACETIÆ. A good story is gotten off on the legal profes sion, which runs about as follows : — In a certain community a lawyer died who was a most popular and worthy man; and among other virtues inscribed upon his tombstone was this : "A lawyer and an honest man." Some years afterward a Farmer's Alliance con vention was held in the town; and one of the del egates, being of a sentimental turn, visited the '- silent city," and in rambling among the tombs was struck with the inscription : " A lawyer and an honest man." He was lost in thought, and when run upon by a fellow-hayseed, who, noticing his abstraction, asked if he had found the grave of a dear friend or relative, said : " No, but I am wondering why they came to bury these two fellows in the same grave." Judge. Gentlemen of the jury, your verdict is decidedly mixed. Foreman. Yes, your honor; it is in accord ance with the evidence.

A young man was on trial for illegal voting, it being claimed that he voted when under age. His mother was on the witness-stand, and testified that the young man was of age when he voted. Counsel. How do you know he was of age? Mother. Because I -am his mother and he was born on — (giving the date). Counsel. Now, Mrs. Smith, please tell this jury some particular thing that happened that day that fixes it so firmly in your memory."

Necessity knows no law, and is generally too poor to hire a lawyer.

The docket of a Dakota justice contains the following entry : — Mapes ) vs. y Action for marriage. Wait. ) The parties to this action appearing before me this loth day of May, 1880, and having taken the oath prescribed by law, were by me adjudged to be duly married. The said Mapes resides on the northeast quarter of section ten in this township, and the said Wait resides on the southeast quarter of section eight; but they did to me on oath declare their inten tion of making their future home on said section ten. , Justice of the Peace.

An old farmer from one of the back counties was the defendant in a suit for a piece of land, and he had been making a strong fight for it. When the other side began his speech, he said : "May it please the court, I take the ground —" The old farmer jumped up and sung out: "What s that? What 's that?" The judge called him down. "May it please the court," began the attorney again, not noticing the interruption, " I take the ground —" "No, I 'll be d d if you do, either," shouted the old farmer, " anyhow not until the court de cides the case." Murderkr (to Judge). Is this my lawyer? His Honor. Yes. "Is he going to defend me?" "Yes." "If he should die, could I have another?" "Yes." "Can I see him alone for a few minutes?" Judge. One year and fifty dollars fine. Prisoner's Lawyer. I would like to make a motion to have that sentence reversed. Judge. All right! Fifty years and one dollar fine. Scene, lawyer's office. Enter little girl, sob bing bitterly. Lawyer. Why, little one, what 's wrong? Little Girl. Are you Mr. Blank, the lawyer? The Lawyer. Yes. What is it you want? Little Girl. I want — (sod) — I want — a divorce from my pa, and ma.