The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-22
The Honest Lawyers Fee.

allied on me one morning just before break
last, aud asked me 10 recommend her TO
some lawyer, as she thought her friend
SnubbS was less correct than he might be.
| asked her 10 step into the par!or, and .
went myself Ia my breakfast and my wife,
whose advice always asked on such points. .
We had known Mrs. Stiles many years;
her husband was great land owner iu a
town Of the western country, aud with a
diSinterc>tcd love, that deserved some bet
ter aim, ever pressed it on his helpnatc, as /
the first rule Of life, TO get all she could and
keep all she got. lie died, and Mrs. Stiles
became more aud more religious and aims
giving, but also more and more fond Of
wealth, and sensible of the admirable aa-
vice, which her husband had given
her.
! stated The facts TO my wife, and waited
her opinion. "Well, William," said she,
after drinking a cup Of coffee upon my sto-
ry, Il fear the old lady has some money get
ting claim in view: You know she has OF
late given all her affections TO getting more
wealth. would therefore recommend her
to the most honest and conscientious law.
yer in town, and not to the most acute and
thorough one. She relies on your iudG.
ment; use it, not for her seeming, bat for her
real good"
counted my legal acquaintance over
twice over, before hit on one answering to
the terms "hnne>t oud conscientious" III
the sense which knew Eil,n used them :;
at length found hin, aud taking up iny
lat, walked with the widow TO his Office.
We found Mr.. Sawyer ~ his desk; hc
rose AMI gave us chairs, and awaited Mrs.
stiles statement. But before | go on in
this point, let me say q few words Of this
phenomenon: this man with Iii, head undc
his left arm close to his heart; this honest
lawyer, IN the Oroadcst, highest sense ofthe
term. He was a man of thirty-five: he had
studied law because lac liked the study, and
began the practice because lie had to get a
living, and now he continued the profession
in spite of bad opponents, and bad courts,
because he thought he had done, and might
yet do, much good by his labor>: not alone
by saving the innocent aud needy from the
strong aud cruel, but preventing strife, put-
ting Il stop TO knavi>h practices. and GiS>ua-
ding men and women from unjust suits.
and passion rou,iug quarreS. MIR. Sawyer
thought IT not only proper for him 10 refuse
actingtor those whose claims he thought dis
honest, bat he counted 1t also a duty and
|nIiviIrre- nav n mora christian character
to labor to persuade them 10 forget such
claims. He sought fame and extensive
practice as 4 means whereby tueXert a NOR
nj Influence over the community: be thought
n lawyer bound Ia serve. not his client ON.
~, but his God and country; and locke OF
him, who for gain woph prosecute a suit
he thought unfair, as a traitor ,o his co,u,r,
and his religion. in act. whatever he u;ol,,
be in de,i,n, In short. a, nm n,unt one,
said. "Sa,yyer was such HANGED fool as +,
think i, an attorneys business TO helm III,
par>on to make men coed christians.
And now we shaIlIe, Mrs. Stiles state he,
business. II seems that her husband had
sold and convened several lots. which he,
father had left intrus, for her, and in such ;
form tina, She. meaning TO release her free !,
the lots, had. in turn, merely released he
right Of dowcr-the,e lots Il . rnIpr,,oo,
she could get back.
..Didv over receive tlc ,rorc, f,r,bcm.
said Mr.. SAWYER, '''> 80
"Ccrtainlv SIR"
"Was il fair, full price for the land:"
sit was all we asked. sir,
"Did YOU sign the deed willinrl,?"
"Or course do Won think Jared woul
have driven me TO do it,"
"Did Won mean TO convey fun title il
fee. Mrs. Stiles"
"Beyond doubt but as we didn't, the
tell me the land never passed.
"Supposc. MIS-. stiles. the money ha
been paid before you had drawn the deco
should Won have ,iourhtit honest, after oct
ting the money. TO refuse 10 give the deed.
"Why, lawyer. that would lave bee
thicving. right down.
"Wcil. Mrs. Stiles. YOU have not :.
drawn the deed, shall draw one for you I
>igut'
"Why, bless your soul. LAWYER. that's IN
deed you have 90, in your hamd.'
"Mrs. Stiles, If YOU had given the maj
, when he had paid you the money for IN
lots, sheet Of blank paper, and he had u,
looked al il, would that lave been a deed:
"Of course not"
= "But YOU meant to give fall tile !
q fee"
EYES"
"Wcll. this is not such n tile any MOI
than a sheet OF blank papcr: Won have n,
vet given the deed. Shall draw uui
claim deed for YOU 10 signg"
, Mrs. Stiles looked ut me, and looked ;
, the window: looked very much uuyyl,l Al,
, |so,rovLot ,L,,b,J A, I,s, .ha .,il .,p,