Dynamic Science Fiction: The Complete Fiction by Various

Author:Various [Various]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jerry eBooks
Published: 2021-07-27T21:00:00+00:00

THE JUDGE cleared his throat vigorously. “There was that little matter of shifting the burden of proof on a fraud action. Your own pleadings tripped you up.”

“I had considered that,” Ross said, “but I did not believe it pertinent.”

“Everything,” the Judge said unctuously, “is pertinent to the trial of a case.”

“Also,” Ross insisted, “it was a very close point—and its materiality was hardly justifiable. Neither side considered it—in the arguments—and I did not suppose you would make any particular effort to pass on it.” Ross was speaking very conservatively. He felt like saying there was no sense in dragging that point out of the gutter.

The Judge set his glass down and wagged a long finger at Ross. “This court,” he admonished, “never sidesteps anything.” He paused and then went on, “Too bad it had to be you, but you know how it is; I wouldn’t want anybody to accuse me of partiality because you married my daughter.”

“I know,” said Ross, wearily.

“Look here, my boy,” said the Judge as Sylvia came up and touched Ross’ shoulder, “you aren’t taking it hard, are you? After all, what’s one case? Why, I lost hundreds before I went on the bench.”

Ross’ voice was unemotional when he answered, “I didn’t mean to convey that impression.”

Sylvia looked at Ross and said, “I think we’d better go home.” She spoke to her father. “Ross has been working on a brief and he looks tired.”

They said goodnight and got a taxi. It went up to the 700-foot level and cut across the Hudson toward their suburban plot that was only one fourth paid for.

Sylvia held Ross’ hand. “Why did you act so strange with the Judge tonight, Ross? What is that case he decided against you?”

Ross looked away. “No, not that—exactly.”

“Tell me about it,” she urged.

“Well, I suppose I might as well. I don’t hold it against your father, really. He makes the decisions according to his own lights—but I do wish he wouldn’t go out of his way to. find reasons for deciding against me. It’s well-known in the bar association that he’s so afraid of being accused of partiality, he leans over backward to decide against me. It’s so well-known that no other lawyer ever offers an objection to appearing against me before the Judge.”

“Maybe it’s just the breaks,” Sylvia said soothingly.

“No,” said Ross shortly. “As a matter of fact, I’ve never won a case in federal court before your father.”

Sylvia thought for a moment. Then she said, “Can’t you ask for a different judge or something?”

“And file a certificate of prejudice against my own father-in-law?”

She squeezed his hand. Presently, she said, “Don’t worry, dear; something will turn up.”

Suddenly his reserve seemed to weaken. He said, with the first trace of bitterness that he had known in years, “It already has.”

She looked up quickly. “How?” she asked.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.