Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1882 — A Woman Lawyer in Court. [ARTICLE]

A Woman Lawyer in Court.

San Francisco Chronicle. The forbidding aspect of the front row of attorneys in Judge Rix’s Court recently was somewhat modified by the smiling face of Laura DeForce Gordon.. The champion of woman’s righto represented one C. M. McKay, who. was charged with having unlawfully appropriated a silver watch worth $25, the property of a pale and nervous youth named T. M. Williams. The prospect looked very black for McKay until the modern Portia shook het radiant curls and leveled au intimidating forefinger and lead pencil at the complainant. “You let the defendant have the loan of the watch?” said the champion of distressed woman. , The witness cast a terrified glance at Judge Rix, and, receiving no encourage ment from the Court, blurted out, “Yes, mum.” “And there was no specified time for the defendant to return the watch?” said the medium haired advocate. “No; but—” “Don’t ‘but’ me,’sir! There was nospecified time?” “N-n-o, mum.” “And you saw the defendant wear the watch, and did not protest against his doing so?” “I—I—” “Don’t ‘l’ me sir.” Prosecuting Attorney Blany, with his characteristic gallantry, was about to remark that the prisoner could not help eying the fair advocate, but she shut him off with a prompt repetition of the assertion : “You did not protest, sir?” “N-no.m’m,’ “Nor ask him for the watch?” "N’um.” “Nor tell him you would have him arrested?” “N-n-n’m.” “The case is dismissed,” said his Honor,