A big-city lawyer was representing a railroad in a lawsuit brought by an old rancher.
The rancher’s prize bull had disappeared from the section of land where the railroad tracks passed through. The rancher wanted to be paid the bull’s full value.
The case was set to be heard by a local justice of the peace in the back room of the general store.
Before the hearing, the railroad’s lawyer approached the rancher and tried hard to convince him to settle.
After a long conversation, the rancher finally agreed to accept half of what he had originally requested. He signed the papers and took the check.
The young lawyer couldn’t resist bragging about his victory.
Lawyer:
“I hate to tell you this, old man, but I really fooled you. I couldn’t have won that case. The engineer was asleep, the fireman was in the caboose, and I didn’t have a single witness to call. I was simply bluffing you!”
The old rancher smiled.
Rancher:
“Well, I’ll tell you something, young feller. I was a little worried about winning that case myself because that bull came home this morning.”