Squatter sovereign., 1856-09-23
Mlistellaneons.
AN HONEST LAwYER.s FEE.

II is now five years since the widow
Stiles called on me, one morning before
breakfast, and asking me TO recommend
her 20 some lawyer, as she thought her
might be. asked her TO step into the
parlor, and wen, myself to my breakfast,
and 10 my wife, whose advice / always
asked on sucn points. We had known
Mrs. Jared Stiles many years. Her hus-
band was great land d-owner IN goodlv
town OF the western country, and with a
love that deserved some bet
ter aim, ever pressed it on his hel elP-nate
as the first rule of life, to get all she
could, and keep all she got. He died
and Mrs. Stiles became more aims giving
but also more and more fond OF wealth
and sensible Of the admirable advice which
her husband had gwen her.
] stated the fact TO my wife, and awaited
her opinion.
We'll, William" she said. after drink.
ing cup Of coffee on my story. Il fsar
the old lady has some money-gettins
claim in view; you know she has of late
given all her affections to the getting oi
more wealth. would therefore recon-.
mend her to the most honest and consci-
entious lawyer in town, and not to the
most acute and narrow one. She relic:
on your Judgment; not for her seeming
but her real good" #a
| counted my l-ga! acquaintance twice
over before ! hit on one answering tl.s
terms "honest and conscientious" in III.
sense in which knew Ellen used them
A, length ! found him. aud taking my
hat, walked with the widow to his Office
We found Mr.. Sawyer at his desk
He arose and gave US chairs. and await
ed Mrs Stiles statement. Bat before ]
go on IN this point. let tnc say few word:
oil this phenomenon--tilis man with hi:
head under his left arn, close 10 his hear
this honest lawyer, in the broadest, high.
est sense of the term. He was man O.
thirty-iive; be had studied law because he
liked the study, and began 10 practice be.
cause he had to get living; and now he
continued in the profession, in spite of bad
opponents, and bad courts. because he lad
done. and yet might do much good by bis
labors; not onl y by saving the innocen
and needy from the strong and cruel bu
preventing strife, putting d stop to hal
knavish practices, and dissuading mer
and women from unjust suits, aud passion.
rousing 4uarrels.
Mr.. Sawyer not oaly thought it proper
for him to refuse acting for those whose
claims he though dishonest, but he count
ed i, also duty and privilege, nay, q
mere charity, TO strive to persuade their
TO forget such claims. He sought fam.
and extensive practice as means where
by 10 exert moral influence over tn.
community. lie thought lawyer bounc
TO serve. not client only, but God anc
his country; aad looked on him, who fo
gain would prosecute sui, which h,
thought unfair, as traitor TO his countr,
aud his religion, in act, whatever NIGH
be his intention; in short. as Bill Blum
once said, Sawyer was such a fool as tt
think It al attorneys business to help the
parson make men good Christians"
And now we shall let Mrs. Stiles state
her business. I, seems that her HUSBAND
had sold and conveyed several lots, which
her father had left in trust for her, and il
such form that she. meaning to releas.
her fee In the lots, had In terms merel,
released right Of dover. These lots sh,
understood she could get back.
did you receive the money for ,hema
said Mr.. Sawyer.
Certainly, SIR"
WAS it fair, full price for the landa'
at was all we asked. sir"
.Did you sign the deed wiIIinglyr'
"Of course; do you think Jared woul,
have driven me do ila''
did you mean to convey full title IL
fee, Mrs. Stiless-@sss
beyond doubt; but as we didn'i th,
land never passed. -
Suppose. Mrs. Stiles. the. money ha.
been paid before you had drawn the deed
should you have though, il honest. af,e
getting the money to refuse to give th'
deed!"z
.Why, lawyer, that would have beef
ti,i.yiug righ, down"
WELL. Mrs. Stiles, you have not We
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