Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/323

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The Green Bag.

attorneys in manner and form required by law at such place; ani this Judge further prays to go hence in peace. . Judge. Respectfully yours, O. H. M.

A witness in a criminal case while giving his testimony turned to the jury, whereupon the pris oner flew into a passion and shaking his fist at the jurymen, shouted, " Set of boobies! asses! pack of idiots! " Upon which the judge, interrupting him, said, " Do not speak to the jurors; address your observations to the Court."

LEGAL ANTIQUITIES. Philip, in passing sentence on two rogues, or dered one of them to leave Macedonia with all speed, and the other to try and catch him. Dexionax was once heard to say to a lawyer : "Probably all laws are really useless; for good men do not want laws at all, and bad men are made no better by them." Alcibiades, when about to be tried by his coun trymen on a capital charge, absconded, remarking that it was absurd, when a suit lay against a man, to seek to get off, when he might as easily get away. Socrates used to say the best form of govern ment was that in which the people obey the rulers, and the rulers obey the laws. In a case in the time of Elizabeth, the plaintiff, for putting in a long replication, was fined ten pounds and imprisoned, and a hole to be made through the replication, and to go from bar to bar with it hung round his neck.

A " Tombs " lawyer had been endeavoring all the week to get his client .out of durance vile. One morning he walked into the " Tombs," and sent for his client. His face was as smiling as the historic basket of chips. " It 's all right." said the lawyer, grasping his client's hand. •' Yes? " ejac ulated the client, brightening up. " Yes, every thing 's fixed." "How?" "I can get you out on a habeas corpus." The client's face lengthened as he replied, " Can't be done, would n't dare to try it; my cell is on the third tier, and the damned thing might break." A justice of the peace who was constantly try ing criminal cases was called upon to marry a couple. After he had asked the usual question, if they desired to be united in the bonds of matri mony, and they had replied in the affirmative, the justice said solemnly : " Having pleaded guilty to the charge, if there are in your opinion any mitigating circumstances, now is the time to" state what they are." THE LAMENT OF LITTLETON COKE, ESQ.

FACETIÆ.

There was a time, there was a day, Poetic fancy thrilled my mind, Hut surly Blackstone came my way, And rippling lays are left behind.

Lawyer. Have you conscientious scruples about serving as a juror where the penalty is death? Boston Talesman. I have. Lawyer. What is your objection? Boston Talesman. I do not desire to die.

No more I tune the answering lyre. I sing of amorous scenes no more : But use my old poetic fire To fuse great chunks of legal lore.

"I am as much opposed to drinking as any one," said Lawyer Jenks to his client, " but nevertheless liquor rightly used is a blessing to humanity; when I was ill last winter, I actually believe it saved my life." "Very likely; but how does that prove that liquor is a blessing to humanity? " was the reply.

The eloquence with which I once Discoursed of mountain, vale, and stream. I use to wake some sleepy dunce Of juror from his noonday dream. The midnight oil I once did burn, While pleading in poetic courts. Now serves a much more useful turn Illumining dull law reports. George Huddleston. Birmingham, Ala.