Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 18.pdf/207

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184

THE GREEN BAG

sciousness of his client's presence. He yawned, and, settling back against the cushions, re marked: "I've always hoped I might some day come to Philadelphia, because I've been told that there is no place in the United States where they serve finer brandy. When I came away from Boston I said to some of my friends, ' Boys, I'm going to find out about that Phila delphia brandy, and if I find that it really is the best, I shall have made a useful trip.'" Several times Mr. Goodyear tried to draw his distinguished attorney's attention to the particular point at issue, but he never seemed to take the slightest interest in it. The brandy of Philadelphia was apparently the only topic which interested him, and he always recurred to it. Mr. Goodyear left him somewhat brusquely at his hotel. When he returned to his office his story was anything but inspiring. " We've got a man who is supposed to be the greatest lawyer in the United States, and the only subject in which he takes any interest is Phila delphia brandy!" That night, though, Mr. Webster worked in his room until after two o'clock, occasionally walking the floor and marshaling his case into battle array. His plea the next day was one of his most impressive utterances in its power and logic, and the case, involving hundreds of

thousands of dollars, was given to the Goodyears. — Harper's Weekly. Scarlett's Art. — It is not necessary that a lawyer should be eloquent to win verdicts, but he must have the tact which turns an apparent defeat to his own advantage. One of the most successful of verdict winners was Sir James Scarlett. His skill in turning a failure into a success was wonderful. In a breach of promise case the defendant, Scarlett's client, was alleged to have been cajoled into an engagement by the plaintiff's mother. She was a witness in behalf of her daughter, and completely baffled Scarlett, who cross-examined her. But in his argument he exhibited his tact by this happy stroke of advocacy. "You saw, gentlemen of the jury, that I was but a child in her hands. What must my client have been?" Discharged. — A man came into the police court the other day carrying a friend on his back. " What's the matter? " asked the judge. The man answered, " Judge, this man is a friend of mine, and his name is Gunn. Now, Gunn is loaded. I know that it's against the law to carry a loaded gun on the streets, so I brought him in here." The judge said: "Gunn, you are discharged." And the next day the report was in the papers. — Mount Morris Index.