Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-01
THE PRICE OF AN OPINION.

distinguished advocates in Paris. He
was quickly shown into the chamber Of
the learned lawyer.
"Sir,' said he placing upon the table
a large parcel of papers, "I am rich
but the suit that has been instituted a
gainst me to-day will entirely ruin me-
At my age, fortune is not to be rebuilt
so that the loss of my suit will condemn
me forever 10 the most frightful misery.
/ come to ask the aid of your talents
Here are. the papers; as TO the facts,
will. If you please, expose them clear
ly to you"
The advocate listened attentiveIy to
the stranger; then opened the parcel,
examined all the papers it contained,
and said-'' Sir, the action laid against
you is founded in justice and morality.
Unfortunately, in spite of the admirable
perfection of our codes, law does not
always accord with justice, and here the
law is for you. If, therefore, you rest
strictly upon the law, and avail YOURSELF
without exception of all the means in
your favor; if above all, these means
are exposed with clearness and force,
you will infallibly gain this suit, and no.
body can afterwards dispute that fortune
which you fear to lose
Nobody in the world. "replied the
client, sis so competent to do this busi-
ness as yourself An opinion drawn up
in this sense and signed by you would
render me invulnerable. / am bold E.
nough to hope that you win not refuse it
TO me-"
The skillful advocate reflected for
some moments, and taking up again the
/ papers which he had pushed away with
an abruptness peculiar to him, said that
he would draw up the opinion and that
il should be finished the following day
at the same hour. @
| The client was punctualto TO his appoint
ment. The advocate presented him
with the opinion, and without taking the
trouble TO reply TO the thanks with which
the order overwhelmed him, said TO him
rudely-
Here is the opinion; there is nc
judge who after having seen that will
condemn you. Give me 5000 francs p
The client was struck dumb and mo
tionless with surprise s H5e
You are free to keep your money
said the advocate, '&as | am to throw
:; my opinion in the fire." atH
So speaking he advanced toward th,
chimney; but the other stopped him
and declared that be would pay the sun
{ demanded, but that he had only half O
+ it with him.
He drew, in fact, from his pocket bool
J. 1900 francs in bank notes. The advo
: cate with one hand took the notes, an
u with the other threw the opinion into tn
e drawer.
! but said the client, 81 am going
= you please, TO give you my note for tn
u remainder.
z II want money. Bring me 500 NOR
L francs, or you shall not have one line.
y u There was no remedy, and the 800
q francs were paid but the client, to re
y venge himself of being SO pillaged, hal
u tened TO circulate this anecdote. 1t &C
81 into the papers, and for fortnight ther
= was deluge of witticisms of all kind
as upon the disinterestedness of the gres
% advocate. Those who did not laugh +;
Ae it, said it was deplorable that man {
u such merit should be tainted with vic
q SO degrading as avarice. Even his friend
pc were moved by it, and some Of thel
Id went so far as to demonstrate with hil
lg publicly !; but the only reply he CAV
II was by Struggling his shoulders, and the
n as everything is quickly forgot at Pari
nj people soon ceased TO talk of this.
n Ten years had passed One day Ii
II Court Of Cessation, in its red robes, W:
descending the steps of the Police Of Ju
tice, to be present at a public ceremon,
he All at once female darts from the crow
n throws herself at the feet Of the proc
n rer general, seizes the end of his rob
es and presses it to her lips. The woms
was looked upon as deranged, and the
o. try to drag heI away.
Oh, leave me alone, leave me
or lone" she cries "Irecognize hint
he, my pleserver Thanks to him,
OF nave been able to bring up my lar;
family. Thanks to him, my old age
nd happy. Oh, you do not know me. Oh
day-I was unhappy them was a
vised to bring an action against dista
relation of my last husband, who HI
it possessed himself of rich herita
a that ought to have come to my ch
~ dren. Already I had sold half n
it goods to begin the action, when, one ev
,m ming. saw enter my house gentlemi
We who said to me Do not go to law; re
raj son and morality are for you. but the Ia
raj is against you. Keep the little you ha
= and add it to these 5000 francs, viii
ng are truly yours remained speechle
raj with surprise. When would have sr
IRE ken and thanked him, he had disappef
an ed; but the bag of money was there, y
he on the table, the countenance of II
ost generous man was engraved upon I