THE JUDGE'S SMILE

New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1911, Page 982

THE JUDGE'S SMILE

A noted justice of the New York Court of Appeals recently addressed the students of law at Columbia. Among other personal reminiscences the- justice told them of his first case. The New York World tells the story. * I remember,' said he, the first case I argued before the Court of Appeals. That is a great time in a young lawyer's career. I worked on that first case with great energy. Night and day I labored, and the night before the trial I walked up and down in the old Delavan House, making my speech over and over again. The next morning, weak from the strain, I entered the court-room all but worn out. Above me on the bench sat seven judges. All around were lawyers. Then I experienced what might be termed stage-fright, and I could not utter a word. Justice Church suddenly raised his head, smiled, and, looking at me with his great, kind eyes, said: "Now, sir, will you state your case?" That kindness saved me. But I did not say what 1 intended.. Instead of the hour's address, I said: "Your honors, the point is this," and then I went on with my case. In fifteen minutes I had ended, and I had won. ' For seventeen years that act on the part of Justice Church has been in my memory, and I try to emulate him. "Whenever a young lawyer comes into the Court of Appeals I look up from my paper and smile encouragement.