Passing to Wiser Minds

I’ll admit that I was a smart ass in law school. But I credit Henry Springmeyer, who taught torts, with helping me see the error of my ways.

Of all my professors, he was the only one who required us to stand up in front of the entire class and present an analysis of the facts and issues of a case.

I was not always ready to be called on to recite. On this day, when I was called out, I was caught unprepared. Unfortunately, this was also the day, my fiancé was visiting the class, which made my performance even more memorable. There was nothing to do but bluster my way through the recitation with my usual impertinence.

The case involved liability for lack of lighting at a railroad station. Alas, I told the professor that he hadn’t provided enough information in his hypothetical case.

“What’s missing?”  He was already irritated.

“Whether it was day or night,” I said.

“Why is that important?”

“Because if it was nighttime there might be a duty to light the station.”  I could hear the class snickering.

“Night,” he spat.

He grilled me for ten minutes, and my responses were, well, miserable. Finally, professor Springmeyer said the magic words, “Mr. Fox. Would you like to sit down and pass to wiser minds?”

He was baiting me. He knew it. I knew it. Everyone in the class knew it.

“Yes sir, I would.”  And I sat down

He then scanned to room filled with my fellow law students. Finally, he settled back on me.

“Mr. Fox. Please stand up again.”

He was not done teaching me a lesson and the humiliation continued. Needless to say, It was not my finest moment.

This was sixty years ago. And it was the last time I was a smart ass in any class.

Perhaps you’re wondering how I was able to pass the bar exam.  Probably because I’m very good at taking tests.

Alan