The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-07
PRICE OF AN OPINION.


In a cool nigh, in November. in the
year 1922, man ehv. loped in q cloak
raped at the door Of one OF the most
distinguished advocates in P2iis. lie
was quickly shown into the chamber of
the learned lawyer.
Sir, said hr, placing upon the table
large parcel OF papers, Il am rich, but
the sui. that has been instituted against
me to-day will entirely ruin me. At
my age. y fortune is not to be rebuilt /;
50 that the loss of my suit will condemn
me for ever to the most !righttul mis-
cry. come to ask the aid Of your tai
en's. Here are my papers as to the
facts, l viii, il you please, expose them
to You.
The advocate listened a;ien,iv.ly to
the stranger; then opened the parcel,
examined all th. papers i. contained,
and sald-'Sir, the acton laid against
you is founded in justice and morality.
Unfortunately, in spite ot the admirable
perfection Of our codes, Law does not al
ways accord with JUSTICE. and here the
law is for you. Ii, therefore, you rest
strictly upon the law, and avail your.
self without exception Of sll the means
in favor il. above all, these means are
exposed with clrarnts, and force, you
Will intallibly gain this suit. and nobody
can afterwards dispute the fortune which
you f-Ar 10 lose
Nobody in the world, replied the
client, is so competent to do The bust
ness as yourself An opinion drawn
up in this .cnsc and signed by you, will
render me invulnerabIe. | am bold
enough 10 hope that you will not refuse
it TO me.
The skilful advocate reflected for
some moments, and taking up sgain the
papers which he had pusaed away with
an abruptne.s peculiar to him. SAID lhs,
he would draw up the opinion, and ,ha,
it should be finished the following day
at the same hour.
The client was punctual to his APP
poin,ment. The advocate presented
him with the opinion, and without tax
ink the trouble 10 reply to the thank,
with which the other overwhelmed him,
said 10 him iudel y
Here is the opinion; there is no
/ jud re, who, after having seen tha', will
condemn you! Give me 5000 francs
( The ellen, was struck dumb and mo
toncs1 with surprise.
,N,n a,
said The advocate, as am 10 throw my
opinion into the ii e.
SO speaking, he advanced towards
the chimney; but the other stopped
linn, and declared that ho would pay the
sum demanded, hul that lac had only III,
half with l,m.
lie drew, in fact, from his pocket
book, 1900 francs IN bank notes Tho
advocate with one hand too. the notes
and with the other threw the opinion
into the drawer.
But, said the client, i am going. !
YOU please, to give you my note for ,h'
remainder.
j wan, money. Bring me 1906
more francs, or YOU shal! not have on
line.
There WAS no remedy, AMI the lJJl
francs were paid but the client 10 re
,enge himself for being % pillagcd has
tened 10 circulate this aaccdole 1t 20
into the papers, and for ior'niglt, ,hcr
, was a deluge OF wiltici,ins Of all kind
| upon the dl,intcreslcdness Of the gre q
advocate. Iho,c who did not laugh a
it, said i, wa. def lorable that u man {
such merit should be tainted with vic
so degr.diu. AS avarice Even hi
=. friends were moved 10y il, and some {
. hi friends went 30 faI Us 10 rcmon.lfat
\ with him publicly, but the only repl
h he gave wa by Struggling lilo shoulder
r ami then, a every thing !, quickly fo'
= 90, a, Paris, people soon ceased 10 tai
e cl this.
y Ten wears had passed. One lay III
court oi cessation, ia Il. red robes, va
I de.cenling the steIs Of the p acc Of Ju
= lice. 10 De- present al public cere m,
. ny. All al once a female daits froi
y il.c crowd, throws herself At the feet ,
e ,hc prvcurcur genera, se1Ge- the end
}. hi- robe, and pressed It to her lips
/. The woman Was looked upon a, derant
p, ed, and they lried 10 drag her away.
4 Oh leave mc alone, leave me alone
h he cried. " ! recognise lin it is II
). preser,er. Thanh. 10 him, | hs,
j been able 10 bring up my large famjl
e rhanAs To ban, NY Oh ssr /, happy
d Oh, yoq Do no; know ne.
.e "One day WAS unhappy theft
>, was advised 30 bring an arl.ou again
ie distant relation of my late hpsban
.e who hai po,,essed h''uself Of RI
r. herita.r tia, oagh, 10 hase come 10 f.
- children. Already had spid bali II
e. 2So.i le ls:,n ,ae selIon, vhen o.