Chapter 30 Chapter Three The First Case

When I was in Bombay, I began to study Indian law on the one hand, and experimented on diet methods on the other, with a friend named Virchand Gandhi.My brother tried to drum up business for me. Studying Indian law is a thankless endeavor.I couldn't get into the law of civil procedure at all, but that was not the case with the study of witness law.Virchand Gandhi, who was preparing to sit for the bar exam, used to tell me all sorts of things about lawyers and advocates.He always said: "Sir Firozesha's talent lies in his superb knowledge of the law. He can recite the Law of Witness and knows all the cases in Section 32. The extraordinary eloquence of Badruddin Iron Secretary attracted attention. The awe of the judge." A heroic story like this discourages me.He went on: "It's not uncommon for a lawyer to hang around like that for five or seven years. That's why I'm contracted to be an advocate. You've got to be lucky if you're independent for three years. "

Expenses are increasing month by month.There is a lawyer's sign outside the door, but the house is busy preparing to execute the lawyer's business. I really can't do this kind of thing.So I can't concentrate on my studies.I developed some liking for the Law of Witness, and read Manee's Hindu Law with great interest, but I did not have the courage to take up the case.The situation where I can't do anything is indescribable, it's like a newly married woman entering her in-law's house! Around this time, I accepted a case called Ma Mibai.This is a "small case".Someone told me: "You have to pay a commission to the middleman." I firmly refused.

"But even Mr. So-and-so, a criminal barrister, earns as much as three or four thousand rupees a month, but he still gets such a commission!" "I can't afford to compete with him," I retorted. "I am content with an income of 300 rupees a month. My father earns only that much." "But those days are over. The fees in Mumbai are outrageous. You have to be serious." I stood my ground, unpaid commission, but accepted Mamibai's case anyway.It was a no-brainer case and I only charged him 30 rupees.The case looked like it would be settled in less than a day.This is my fledgling in small case court.I defended the defendant and therefore had to cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses.I stood up, but frightened.My head was spinning, and I felt as if the entire courtroom was spinning, and I couldn't think of any questions to ask.The judge must have thought it amused, and the defenders were no doubt there to make a fool of themselves.But I can't see anything.I sat down and told the agent I couldn't take the case and that he'd better go to Bader and get my fee back.Mr. Badr was indeed invited and charged 51 rupees.Of course, the case was easy for him.

I hastily withdrew from the court, not knowing whether my client had won or lost, but I was so ashamed that I decided not to take the case unless I had enough courage.Sure enough, I never went to court again until I went to South Africa.There was nothing special about my decision, I was just doing a necessary thing.No one would be so stupid as to entrust a case to me and only lose it! There is, however, another case at hand in Bombay.It was a "warrant" that had yet to be drafted.There was a poor Muslim whose land in Porbandar was confiscated.He came to me like a dutiful son looking for his loving father.His case seemed hopeless, but I agreed to draw up a pleading for him, printing it at his own expense.After I drew it up, I met my friends, and they all praised me. This kind of made me feel confident that I had enough ability to write a petition, and in fact I did.

If I could write pleadings for free, my business would prosper.However this is of no avail.So I was looking for a job as a teacher.My English is not bad, and I am willing to go to school to teach English to new students.That way I can at least cover some of the overhead.I saw an advertisement in the newspaper saying: "English teachers are recruited, one hour of teaching a day, and the monthly salary is 75 rupees." This advertisement was published by a well-known middle school.I applied and was scheduled for an interview.I went to the school happily, but when the principal found out that I was not a college graduate, he regretfully rejected my application.

"But I passed the university entrance examination in London, and Latin is my second foreign language." "Nevertheless, we still want a college graduate." Then there is no way.I rubbed my hands together in disappointment.My brother is also very worried about me.We have come to the conclusion that it is useless to live in Mumbai any longer.I should live in Rajkot, my brother is a small litigator himself, he can give me some drafting of pleadings and pleadings, and since I have a home in Rajkot, I can save a lot by not starting a new one in Bombay money.I agree with this suggestion.After living in Mumbai for six months, this is how my little possessions were settled.

I went to the High Court every day when I was in Bombay, but I can't say I learned anything there: I didn't have enough knowledge to learn much.I often doze off because I don't understand the case.There were other people in the room who also accompanied me in this way, which greatly relieved my shame.I was not even ashamed afterwards, because I knew that dozing off in the High Court had become fashionable. If there are people in this generation who are unpaid lawyers like I was in Bombay, I want to give them a little practical idea of ​​life.Although I lived at Gilguan at that time, I hardly ever rode in a carriage or tram.Walking to the High Court has become a habit of mine.It takes a good forty-five minutes to walk all the way, and of course I walk when I get home.I'm used to the hot sun.I did save quite a bit of money by walking to and from the courthouse in this way, and while my friends in Bombay used to fall ill, I don't remember getting sick there.Even after I started making money, I kept up the habit of walking to and from the office, and I have been benefited from that habit.