Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
VALUE OF A LAWYERS OPINION

fAhCb VI ~ LAW OIlNlON.
Cities, like men, have their peculiar characteris-
tics Industrial, maritime wise or frivolous they
reveal by their phlsiognony, the nature of their in
habltants. Every thing that strikes your eve will
be revelation of the fates of the citizens; the his
tory of each class of population will be found, SO
TO speak, written in the streets.
One is especially struck with the truth of this
remark, on visiting Rennes on seeing lis crand
edhces and magstenal men; its magnificent
squares, with grass sprngng up between The pav-
ing stones promenades traversed at long intervals
by thoughtful students.
1t happened that farmer named Bernard, hay-
ing come to market at Rennes, took it into his head
when his business was accomplished and there was
few hours Of leisure, that it would be n capital
use OF that spare time to consult lawyer. He
had often heard people speak of Mr.. Porliar de Ia
Germendle, whose reputation was so great that the
people thought suit already gained if he under
took it. Bernard asked for his address, and went
Immediately TO his office, in st. George street.
The clients were numerous, and Bernard ha6 to
wait for long time. AT length his turn came and
he was introduced. Mr.. PORTER de la Germendie
pointed him to chair, laid his speclaces upon his
table, and asked what brought him there
"'Pon my word, Squire" said the farmer, twir-
ing his hat round, heard so much talk about you,
that finding myself at leisure in Rennes ! thought
I would take advantage of the circumstance and
come TO get an opinion of you"
'" thank you for your confidence my friend"
SAID NJ. de la Germendie, shut you of course have
a law suit"
"a law suit! law suit indeed! I hold them
in utter abomination; and more than that Peter
Bernard never had dispute with any man living"
"Then you wish to settle some estate, or divide
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"
at is about some contract for the purchase or
sale of something"
"Not at all | am not rich enough 10 purchase
anything, nor so poor as to sell what have"
What, then, do you want Of me % asked the
astonished lawyer
"Wbat do WANT Why, told you at first,
Squire, came for an opinion, for which will pay
of course, as am in Rennes now at leisure. and i
Is necessary TO profit by the ccumstancen
NJ de la Germendle took pen and paper. md
asked the counrynan his name.
"Peter Bernard" answered he; happy indeed.
that he had succeeded in making himself under
STOOL
"Your age n
"1hirty years, or thereabout"
"Your professional
"My profession? Oh, ah, yes-that is what
am. Oh, am u farmer"
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded up the paper
and gave it to the client.
is it done already :" said Bernard every
well, that's right There is no time to get rusty
this opinion, Squire ?"
"Three francs"
Bernard paid without disputng, made grand
scrape with his foot, and went out delighted with
having "profed by the OCCASION"
When he arrived home it was already four o'clock.
The launt had iatigued him, and he went into the
house for repose.
Meantime his grass had been cut four DAYS. and
was completely dried, and one of his lads came to
ask whether he should get it in at once
Not this evening"" said Mrs Bernard, who had
just Joined her husbands it would be too bad 10
set the people to work at so late an hour when the
hay can be got IN tomorrow Just as we'll"
The lad urged that there might be change of
weather. that every thing was in order, and the peo
pie were doing nothing.
Mrs Bernard said the wind seemed TO be in the
right quarter for fair weather, and they would not
get the work done before dark at night.
Bernard listened gravely to these advocates with
out knowing how to decide between them when
ne suddenly recollectod the paper he had received
from the lawyer.
"Stop minute" cried he % have got an oDin-
Ton. 1t Is from famous lawyer and cost me three
francs This will settle the matter. Here, The
Iese' come tell US what it saysi you can read all
KINDS OF writing, even a lawyers"
Mrs. Bernard took the paper, and with some li,-
tie difficulty read these lines:
Never put off until Tomorrow what Won can do
to-day" W. '"'' w
"Ihat's IT." cried Bernard, as if he had received
sudden light upon the subject snake haste with
the wagon, the girls and the boys, and let us GET
the hay in" e0'
His wife offered some more objections bnt Ror
nard declared that he was not going to paw three
francs for an opinion, and then not follow il; SO he
set the example, and led all hands to the field. and
they ana not return TO the house until all the hay
was in the barn. '
Inc event seemed to prove the sagacity of Ber-
narGS movement, Tor the weather changed in the
night: terrible storm came on, and the mex,
morning the streams had overlooked their hanks
and swept off every particle of new mown grass
The hay harvest of every other farmer in the negh
borhood was utterly destroyed. Bernard alone saw.
ed his hay. '"' '''
The FIRST experiment gave him such confidence
in the opinion of the lawyer, that ever after bo