GOOD ADVICE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1168, 18 July 1884, Page 4

GOOD ADVICE.

Mr M and Judge G were intimate friends, and each was fond of a joke at the expense of the otlnr. Among the cases to he tried in the Court over which. Judge 0 prosided was one for theft, T< )n belno- • called, the priso. er, aware that the proof was too positive to admit of auv doubt of conviction,‘and intending to plead guilty and throw himself n on the mercy of the Court, appeared without, counsel. In such cases it was customary for the Judge to appoint counsel, always selecting from the younger mem' ers of the Bar. Here was an opportunity too good to he lost for j >kps standing to his debit in his account with ■r M . ,-o the Judge appointed him to defend the prisoner. Mr M t.hanki d him fur the compliment, and promptly accepted tho appointment, remarking that as the case was new to him he should like a few minutes’ private conversation with his c'ient. “ Certainly,” replied the Judge, immediately directing a sheriff to conduct Mr M and the prisoner to a private room. On leaving the Judge, with a peculiar smile which Mr M well uuders ood, expressed the hope that he would give his friend some good advice. Locking the door of the room to which the sheriff had conducted them, Mr M asked the prisoner if he was guilty. “Guilty,” was the frank reply. “Do you see the woods yonder V “ Yes ” “Well, beyond them is a small brook, the dividing line between the two counties; oi.ee over that brook you are out of the jurisdiction of this Court; and if you are as guilty as you say you are 1 advise you to lose no time in passing (hat line.” Ns ooru-r said than done ; out of the open window he jumped, and ran for dear life. he Court, getting impatient, sent the sheriff for them. Returning without +he prisoner, the Judge, asked Mr M 1 where he w„s. “ May it please your Honour, he replied, “as ■we were leaving this room for a pri vate consultation, you kindly expressed the hope that I would give my client some god advice, and learning from him that he was guilty, and acting in accordance with your sug-- , gestion, I advised him to out and run ; and the hit 1 saw of him he was hurrying towaids the adjoining comity as though (he v«ry evil one was after him” The Judge, concluded that ho had not made much progress in squaring accounts.— •< Harper’s Moutuly,”