The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1837-10-20
From tie Ne~.Hampshire Observer.
AN HONEST LAWYERS FEE.

rh0m AAc NcM.u1npshlc bosstsSIs
AN HONEST LAWYERS FEE.
II is now FIVE or six years since the
widow Stiles called on me one morning
before breakfast, and asked me 10 recon-
mend her 20 some lawyer, as she thought
her friend Subbs was less correct than
he might be. asked her to step into
the parlor, and went myself to my break
FAST, and to my wife, whose advice ale
ways asked on such points. We had
known Mrs. Jared STYLES many years;
her husband was great land owner in a
goodly town Of the western country. and
with disinteresied love that deserved
some better aim, ever pressed il on his
helpmste, as the first rule Of life, 10 get
all she could, and keep all she got. He
died, end Mrs. Stiles became more and
more fond Of wealth. and sensible of the
admirable advice which her husband had
given her. =
stated the facts 10 nv wife, and wait
ed her opinion. Well, William" she
said, after drinking cup of coffee upon
ms story, 81 fear the old lady has
gone money getting in view; you know
She has of late given all her affections to
getting more wealth. | would therefore
recommend her 10 the most honest and
conscientious lawyer in town, not to the
most acute and thorough one. She re.
lies on your judgment: use il, not fer her
seeming, but her real good"
/ counted my legal acquaintance over,
twice over, before | hit on one answering
to the terms " honest and conscientious"
in the sense in which knew Ellen used
them; at length found him, and taking
nv hat, walked with the widow to his
Office.
We found Mr.. Sawyer at his desk; he
rose and gave Us chairs, and waited Mrs.
Stiles statement. But before i 90 on to
this point, let me say few words on
this phenomenon; this man, with his head
under his left arm, close To his heart, this
honest LAWYER, in the broadcast, highest
sense Of the term. He had studied law,
because he liked the study, and began
the practice because he had 10 get a liv.
ing, and now he continued in the profess
sion. in spite Of bad opposition, and bad
courts, because he thought he had done,
and might do much good by his labors;
not only by saving the innocent and nee
DIV from the strong aud cruel, but pre-.
venting strife, putting stop TO half kna-
wish practices, and dissuading men and
women from unjust suits, and passion
rousing qusrrels. Mr.. Sawyer thought
it not only proper for him to refuse act
ing for those whose claims he though,
dishonest, but he counted it also duty
and privilege, not mere christian charity,
to strive to persuade them to forego such
claims. lie sought fame and extensive
practice as means whereby to exert a mo.
raj Influence over the community. He
thought lawyer bound 10 serve, not his
client only, but God and his country, and
looked on him who fo- gain would pro.
secute a suit which be thought unfair, a.
traitor to his county and his religion
in act, whatever might be his intention
In short. as Bill Blount once said, Saw
yer was such hanged fool as to think i
an attorneys business 10 help the parsor
make good christians "
And now we shall let Mrs. Stiles stat,
her business. Ii seems tina. her husband
had sold and convened certain lots wIicl
her father lad left in trust for her. and il
sue form that she, meaning 10 releas,
her fee in the lots, hal in terms merely
released her right Of dover; these lot
she understood sne could ge. back.
add youreceire the money for them!'
said MIR. SAWYER.
Certainly, SIR"
"Was it fair and full price for tn,
land!" @u-
cit was all we asked, sir"
ibid YOU sign the deed wiIlinglyr'
"Of course: 10 you thing Jared woul.
have driven me to do il" e
i" Did you mean to convey full It'll,
in fee, Yrs. Stiles!" ..
I" Beyond doubt; but as we did not
they tell me that the land never passed.
aSuppose. Mrs. Stiles, the money MAJ
been paid before you had drawn the deed
should you have thought it honest, afte
gett ng the money, to refuse to give tn
-deed!" -@....
"Why, lawyer, that would have beef
thieying right down."
A u.u AZ. l.,taa sos, hava MT sy;x,