The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-27
A LAWYER with Two Characters.

One cold evening in November, ten years
ago, 4 man wrapped in Il large cloak knocked
able advocates of Paris. He entered, and
drawing from under his cloak a large package
OF documents, laid them on the table.
"Nonsicur,' said he, Il am rich but 4
law suit which is commenced against me may
ruin ne entirely. L my age, loss of this for
tune is not 10 be re-made. The loss of this
suit, therefore, would condemn me to frightful
misery. | come TO implore your aid. Here
are the papers which explain my claim"
The advocate listened attentively while his
unknown visitor thus briefly explained his
business. Then opening his bundle of docu-
ments, he entthrough them with the search.
lns rapidly OF his professional eye.
They were 1T last laid on the table.
1.-THE action which is commenced against
you for this property" said he, "is based
upon justice and right-legal and moral. The
property belongs TO your opponent. But I'M
fortunately, in spite of the admirable elabora-
ton of our code, law and justice do not
always go together; and here the law is on
your side.
elf, therefore, you rest your case entirely
on the law, and use without reserve all tech
nicalities and bubbles, and ii the legal points
i'll your favor are all stated clearly and ably
TO the court, you will inevitably gain your
cause"
"No man living" said the stranger, "car
do what you prescribe so ably rs yourself
Might l venture to hope that you will reduce
ohi iCS" lin w Aibiil6 seAAo hSS SAo
me invulnerable?"
The advocate reflected n moment or two
and then taking up again the documents
which 1T the first word of request he haG
roughly pushed away, he said he would do rs
the stranger desired. On the morrow at the
same hour the legal opinion would be ready.
The client was punctual. The paper was
presented to him accompanied with a demand
very abruptly made, for Il fee Of three thousand
francs?
He stood mute with establishment.
You are ut liberty to keep your money"
said the lawyer, land / am ut liberty to
throw my written opinion into the fire."
Advancing toward the chimney, apparently
for the purpose, he was stopped by the visitor.
Il viii pay the sum, - he said, "but l must
give you my written acceptance for it,"
1.-The money in gold" said the advocate,
or you shall not have n line"
The client saw it was inevitable, and taking
his leave for q moment returned soon with
the coin. He paid tin revenge, after gain
ing his cause, he told the story in every corner
OF Paris. The journals got hold of it. 1t was
soon as universal rs the name and fame of the
great lawyer himself. Laments We're made
by the editors over the grasping advantage
mus taken OF Il client in his extremity, and
even friends expressed their regrets TO him for
his betrayal of ararice. But Ire simply shrug-
ged his shoulders, and as everything Is soon
forgotten in Paris, it passed out of the public
mind.
Ten years passed by and a few days since,
~ StltUIotlDH III WHICH Tic COui u " ieN
formed a part, the procession was interrupted
by q woman, who suddenly sprang from the
crowd and seized the hand OF Mons. Oupin
: procurer-g general.
:" 1t is he! It'll he y she exclaimed, as sne
burst into tears, and covering his hands with
kisses " this is my benefactor, my friend, the
angel by whose timely blindness l was saved
from ruin and spared TO educate my chill
dren -
Poor woman" said NJ. Dupin, "she has
lost her reason"
But no she insisted on explaining to the by
ISLANDERS that there was 4 reason i'll her tears
and gratitude. She stated it brokenly. Ten
years ago, after the death of her husband, q
claim was put in by a relative for the property
on which she relied 10 support and educate her
children. She resolved to defend her posses.
sion of that she knew TO be her own, and had
already sold half her furniture TO pay the COM
mencement of the process, when one day 4
stranger called upon her. He abruptly an
nounced his business. He told her that the
suit for which she was already running into
expense would be Il lost one-that the law
was against her, though justice was on her
side that she had better abandon 1t and save
what she still possessed. He then added, that
from having been employed on the case ne had
been able to rescue some portion of what was
wrongfully taken from her, and that it was
contained in 4 bag of gold which he laid on
the table-abruptly taking his leave, and
giving her astoniShed senses no time for
thanks or inquiry. The three thousand francs
with which she was thus enriched enabled
her TO re-establish herself with her children,
anu 10 L timely support OF them.
AND from that day she had been trying in
YAM 10 discover who was her benefactor. But
ms features were engraven on her heart and,
.nahK Iod, she recognized and could thank
him now, -
And so, after ten years of Misrepresentation,
Monsieur Dupin's "grasping aYarice" was
.apiamea 10 his legal brethren and the public
a mi n III - 49,