44 HOW TO ATTAIN TRUE GREATNESS.

 

serious considerations, was almost certain
to be placed in the hands of Abercrombie,
for his acuteness and tact, and determina-
tion to succeed at all hazards, if possible,
made him a very desirable advocate under
these circumstances. Indeed, he often said
that he would rather have a bad cause to
plead than a good one, for there was some
“honour” in success where every thing was
against the case. On the contrary, in the
community where Harvey had settled, but
few thought of submitting to him a case
that had not equity upon its side; and in
such a case, he was never known to fail.
He did not seek to bewilder the minds of
a jury or of the court by sophistry, or to
confuse a witness by paltry tricks; but his
course was straightforward and manly,
evolving the truth at every step with a
clearness that made it apparent to all.

“It’s all your fault,” said an unsuccessful
client to him one day in an angry tone.

“No, sir, it was the fault of your cause.
It was a bad one.”