The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-11
Tha Peasant and Lawyer.


And thinks himself Franklin.
Tho Peasant and Lawyer.
Cities have their individuality as well
as men-manufacturing or maritime, in.
telligent or frivolous, they always reveal
by their physiognomy the nature of their
inhabitants. Go through Rouep, Lyons,
Brest or Strasbourg. and look around
you. Everything which strikes your
eye will be revelation of tastes and
habits. the history of each population
will be found, as one might say, written
in the streets. One is especially struck
with this truth in visiting Rennes. To
Bee it's grand edifices, with their magis-
. terial air, its. ,promenades, with scarcely
here and there.some pensive reader, you
recognize at once the capital of the old
Breton Dunhy,' the old seat of Parlia-
ments, the city OF study, where oil the
thoHghtful youths OF the province come
10 cultivate their minds, for the preva,
lent airNof Rennes is gravity; the whole
city is calm and severe as Judgment
hall, and; indeed, it is the dwelling-plac
Of the Law. There you find its temple,
its high priests. and its most fervent
worshippers. They resort hither from
the most remote parts of Brittany to
seek COUNSEL To come to Rennes with
out consulting allawyer appears as i'm
possible 70 @ Breton as it would have
beent toa GteeE to pass thetemple: Of
Delphos without interrogating the Pytho-
nesa.l, ! ~, -li.l1e ..tr,if ,5 .al.,ss
This was as true towards the end.uf
the last century as it is to-day, and ;espe-
oially Of the peasants, race rendered
timid by experience, and accustomed to
ake-precautions. So, then, it happened,
one day, that q farmer, having come to
Rennes for some bargain, concluded,
after his business was finished, that, as
he still had some hours of leisure, it
would be we'll for him TO- employ them
in consulting lawyer. He had often
heard III. Potter de la Germondai ie
spoken of, Whose reputation was go
great that cause was deemed already
gained If 1t were supported by his
opinion The peasant asked his address,
and repaired to him in st. George street.
The clients were numerous, and Bernard
had to wait q long time. At last his turn
came, and he was introduced. Nj. Potter
de la Germondaie signed to him to sit
down. laid his speotacles on the desk,
and asked what he came for.
'Faith! Mr.. Advocate, said the farm
er, twisting his hat, IT have heard so
much talk of you that. as I was here, I
thought I would take the chance of con-
sulting you"
II thank you for your confidence, my
friend, said NJ. Germondale; ''but you
have some suit, I suppose?"
"Suit? l abominnte them, and Peter
Bernard never had a word with any
body"
''rhen it is settlement, family di-
yision?"
Excuse me, Mr.. Advocate; my family
and myself have never had any division
to make, seeing we eat out of the same
cupboard. as they say."
ut concerns some purchase or sale
then?" '
"Oh. no. indeedl I am not rich
enough to buy, nor yet poor enough to
have to sell out"
, then ?" asked the astonished LAWYER.
''Oh, welll have told you. Sir" re-.
piled Bernard, with loud, embarrassed
laugh; ':Iwant an opinion-for money.
ndsrstand--hecanse I am here at
Rennes, and must profit by the occa.
Nion." '3
M. Germondaie smiled, took q pen
nnd paper, and asked his name.
SSo~ S|oAh] ACpLCu AC3 uuppy
to be understood at last.
"Your age2'
Thirty years or therea6olts.
"Your profession?''
:. MY professionalism, yes; what I do?
liam farmer. Ip
gaThe lawyer wrote.tw lines. folded the
paper and handed it to his strange eli
emf. i..sf.H
''Is it fniehed alreadyP" cried Bar.
nard; "oh, wel1-that's lucky; one has
no time to grow mouldy, as they say.
How much is it worth. this opinion, Mr.
Lawyor?" s
"Three francs"
Bernard 81 paid without complaint.
soraped his foot. and went out, enohant.
ed with having profited by the occasion.
When he reached home it was already
4 O'Clock. The trip had tired him, and
he went in determined to rest. How.
ever, his hay had been cut two days be-
fore. and was completely dry. One Of
fhis boys came to ask if he must go bring
It in. "This EVENING"" interrupted the
farmers wife. who had joined her hus-
: band, "it would be shame to go to