A prisoner was brought before the bar in the criminal court, but was not represented by a lawyer.
“Where is your lawyer?” asked the judge who presided.
“I have none, sir,” replied the prisoner.
“Why not?” queried the judge.
“Because I have no money to pay one.”
“Do you want a lawyer?” asked the judge.
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, there are Mr. Thomas W. Wilson, Mr. Henry Eddy, and Mr. George Rogers,” said the judge, pointing to several young attorneys who were sitting in the room, waiting for something to turn up, “and Mr. Allen is out in the hall.”
The prisoner looked at the attorneys, and, after a critical survey, he turned to the judge and said:
“If I can take my choice, sir, I guess I’ll take Mr. Allen.”—A.S. Hitchcock.