The attorneys for the prosecution and defense had been allowed fifteen minutes each to argue the case. The attorney for the defense had commenced his argument with an allusion to the old swimming-hole of his boyhood days. He told in flowery oratory of the balmy air, the singing birds, the joy of youth, the delights of the cool water—
And in the midst of it he was interrupted by the drawling voice of the judge:
"Come out, Chauncey," he said, "and put on your clothes. Your fifteen minutes are up."
It is related that when Judge Benjamin Toppan of Ohio, who died in the early '70s, applied for admission to the bar of that state he was asked just two questions. "Mr. Toppan, what is law?" was the first of these.
"An unjust distribution of justice," replied the applicant.
"What is equity?" was the second.
"A damned imposition upon common sense!"
He was received into the brotherhood with open arms.