338 NATHANIEL SOUTHGATE SHALER 



representativeof the company, a " practical miner/'all swathed 

 in jet black, wearing patent-leather shoes, extremely pointed 

 and of preternatural lustre, and a tall silk hat. The astonish- 

 ment of the other party was no less acute at sight of a most 

 unacademic-looking person. The miner afterward confessed that 

 he expected to see a prim, starched gentleman who "put on airs 

 and used big words no fellow could understand." This keen- 

 eyed scout once came to Cambridge and much against his will 

 was persuaded to stay to luncheon with us. The excuse he gave 

 for his reluctance was that he was not used to ladies' society. 

 When the meal was over, thinking to encourage him, Mr. Shaler 

 said, "Why, man, you did splendidly." "Yes," he answered 

 reflectively, "but I had a hell of a time of it and I reckon I 

 won't try it again." 



So far from using big words, Mr. Shaler's language was singu- 

 larly clear-cut and direct, and, as we shall see, his manner of 

 speech contributed in no small degree to his success in different 

 mining suits in which he was called upon to testify. Especially 

 was this the case in a notable legal contest at Butte, Montana. 

 He noticed that the experts on the other side seemed to take 

 particular delight in using difficult technical terms known to 

 the specialist, but Greek to the average man. Therefore when 

 his time came to address the court, employing none but the 

 plainest and most straightforward language, he was encouraged 

 while speaking by the look of illumination on the judge's face, 

 which hitherto had been the seat of baffled intelligence. After 

 the trial was over the judge came to him and said, " I thank you 

 for giving me at least a chance to understand the case. Up to 

 the time you spoke I was completely bewildered by the abstruse 

 statement of the geological facts which you have made so clear." 



Mr. Rossiter Raymond, with whom he was associated at this 

 time, writes as follows : 



What I remember chiefly in connection with this case is not the lawsuit 

 itself, or Professor Shaler 's testimony in connection with it, but the oppor- 

 tunity which it gave to me for personal association with him. During its 



