“Youd better git counsel,” says the court, “if you desire to contest this case.”
“Will counsel keep us from bein foreclosed?” says I.
The judge said the case would be decided on the law and evidence.
“Then,” says I, “what do we need of counsel? You have the law, and we will give you the evidence, and if the court please, if our side needs any pleadin, Ile do it myself.”
I hadent them words out of my mouth till up jumped Mr. Richer’s lawyer and says:
“I ’bject.”
The court said that I could not do the pleadin, as I was not a party to the case, nor had I a license to practice before the court.
I riz up agin.
“Mistur Judge,” says I, “what difference does it make who I am or what I am, so long as I treat the court with respect, and know as much, or nearly as much, about this case as any lawyer we could hire?
“If the case, Mistur Judge, is to be decided on the law and evidence, and not on the pleadin, why cant I do what pleadin we need, as well as some lawyer?”