Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-12-14
Value ofa lawyers Opinion,


story about lawyer, which we thought worthy
a translation.
To come to Rennes, without consulting n
lawyer, would appear as much impossible to a
Breton, as it would have been to Greek to ap-
proach the temple of Del phos without consult.
ing the oracle.
This was as much tho case towards the end
of the last century, as it is now, especially for
the country people, a timd race by experience,
and accustomed to great precautions.
1t happened that farmer named Bernard,
having come to market in Rennes, took it into
his head, when his business was accomplished,
and there were few hours of leisure, that it
would be capital use of that spare time to con-
suit lawyer. He had often heard people speak
Of Mr.. Potter de la Germendaie, whose repu.
taton was so great, that the people thought
suit already gained if he undertook it, Bernard
asked for his address, and went Immediately to
his office, in St. Georges Street.
The clients were numerous, and Bernard had
to wait for long time. AT length his turn
came, and he was introduced. Mr. Potter de
la Gcrmandae pointed him to chair, laid his
spectacles upon his table, and asked what
brought him there.
''Pon my word, Squire said the farmer,
twirling his hat round 4 heard so much talk a.
bout you, that, finding myself at leisure in Rem
nes, thought would take advantage OF the
circumstance, and come aud get an opinion Of
you
i thank you for your confidence. my FRIEND
SAID NJ. de la Germandaie; but you, of course,
have law suit'
"A law suit law suit, indeed :! hold them
in utter sbomna tlon; ; and more than that. Pc
ter Bernard never had dispute with any man
living
Then You wish to settle some estate, or d.
vide the property among the family
beg pardon, Squire, my family and | never
had any property to divide; we all eat from the
same dish, as the saying is
1T is about scsne contract for the purchase or
sale of somethingr
Not at all; am not rich enough to purchase
any thing, nor poor as to sell what have
What, then, do you want of me = asked the
astonish"d lawyer
What do want Why, told YOU at first,
Squire, came for an opinion, for which, will
pay, Of course as | am in Renncs now, at lei.
sure, and it is necessary TO profit by the circum-
! stance
NJ de la Gcrmandae took pen and paper, and
! asked the countrymnn his name.
Peter Bernard answered he; happy, in.
deed, that he had succeeded to make himself
understand.
'Nonr agc,'
Thirty years, or ,hcreabouts =
! Your profession =
My profession Oh, all, yes-that is what
do do Oh, am farmer
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded up the
paper, and gave it to his client.
Is it done already = cried Bernard. Very
well, that's right. There is no time to yet
rusty here. as they say. How much do YOU
charge for this opinion, Squire =
Three francs'
Bernard paid without dsputing, made grand
scrape with his ioot and went out delighted
with having 'proftcd by The OCCASION
When he arrived home, it was already four
o'clock The iaunt had tatigucd him, and he
went INTO the house for some reposc.
Mesntimc his grass had been cut four days
and vas completely dried, and one of his lads
came to ask whether he should get it in at once ;