which  we  have  no  particulars,  is  in  possession  of  the
land.  Upon  this  state  of  facts,  as  related  by  the  defend-
ant, it  is  amusing  (if  it  was  not  so  serious  a  matter)  to
quote  one  of  the  defendant's  prayers  for  instructions.
He  requested  his  Honor  to  charge  that  ''It  is  a  maxim
of  our  law  that  no  court  will  lend  its  aid  to  a  person
who  founds  his  cause  of  action  on  an  illegal  and  im-
moral act,  its  object  being  to  leave  the  parties  exactly
where  the  fraud  and  immorahty  placed  them,  not  ex-
tricating or  aiding  either,  in  order  to  discourage  dishon-
esty and  promote  good  faith  in  business  dealings. "  A
writer  of  fiction  could  hardly  imagine  such  a  rare  and
racy  character  as  the  defendant  is,  and  the  ''setting'',
too,  is  so  unique.  But  still  it  is  a  wonder  that  such  a
man  can  flourish  in  practical  life  and  in  a  Christian  age.
Among  the  issues  submitted  were:

1.  Was  the  note  executed  by  defendant  to  plaintiffs
given  for  the  purchase  money  of  the  land  described  in
the  complaint  ?

3.  Was  said  note  given  by  defendant  to  M.  A.,  D.  A.
and  M.  J.  Johnson  in  pursuance  of  a  fraudulent  pur-
pose to  hinder,  delay  and  defraud  creditors  of  D.  A.
Johnson  ?

On  the  first  issue  his  Honor  instructed  the  jury  that,
if  the  plaintiff  had  shown  the  note  was  given  for  the
purchase  money  of  the  land,  they  should  answer  the
issue  "yes";  if  they  had  failed  to  show  that  fact,  they
should  answer  the  issue  "no".
