A STORY AGAINST HIMSELF)

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 11

A STORY AGAINST HIMSELF)

About two years ago a well-known steel manufacturer in Yorkshire was served with a writ alleging infringe* xnent of a valuable patent. In hot haste he went to his solicitor to consult on a plan of campaign, and -the lawyer instantly advised him to retain Sir Edward Marshall Hall, K.C., who had recently scored a triumph in a similar case. “Marshall Hall!” said the steel manufacturer, thoughtfully. “Isn’t that the man who defends all those murderers?” “Yes,” said the solicitor, *‘he*s been leading counsel in many celebrated murder trials; but, of course, criminal work is only a small part of bis enormous practice.” “Well, I’m not going to have a defender of murderers defending me!” exclaimed the Yorkshireman emphatically. “It’s all very well now. but ten years hence they’ll have forgotten what the case was about, and all they’ll remember is that Marshall Hall was for me; and as they’ll associate him only with the defence of murderers. they’ll probably think that I’m one of the murderers he got off. So no Marshall Hall for me, thank you.” >ir Edward tells this storv against himself, says “T.P.’s and Cassell’s Weekly,” with tremendous appreciation of its humour.