Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1898 — LAWYER GLAD TO YIELD. [ARTICLE]

LAWYER GLAD TO YIELD.

Paid Amount Sued For to Take Up a More Important Case. Time is money, and to no one is the truth of this better known than some lawyers whose faces are seldom seen in any court below the supreme. An instance occurred in the municipal court one morning which created considerable amusement. Judge Braunlein was hearing an action brought to recover a debt of eight dollars, both parties to the case being Poles. The courtroom r wa» crowded with witnesses, and his honor had settled down fora long and hard fought battle between the two attorneys. The first witness had been called when Lawyer Locke entered the courtroom. He looked over the assembled crowd, bowed to the judge, and then, depositing his hat on one of the small tables within the rail, prepared to wait for the end of the case. An hour passed, and still the prosecution kept calling witnesses and piling up testimony. Mr. Locke had for some time been fidgeting in his chair, and finally, when it seemed as though the entire day would be occupied in the hearing, he walked over to the attorney for the plaintiff and touched him on the shoulder. “What is the amount involved ia this case, for which your client is suing?” he asked. “Eight dollars, Mr. Locke,” was the reply. « “And the court costs?” "x “About four more.” “Will you take sl2 and consent to a discontinuance of the case?” asked Mr. Locke. “I have an important case of my own, one involving the title to a piece of property owned by a railroad, and my time is too valuable to waste it here.” “My client will consent to a discontinuance on payment of $12,” said the attorney. Mr. Locke drew a chair up to the table, took his check book from his pocket, made out a check for sl2, and handed it over. The case was at once discontinued, and Mr. Locke had the right of way. He had only two or three witnesses; there w*as no defense, and in a half hour he was on 1 s way back to his office.—Buffalo C urier.