Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-30
The Peasant and LatOUer.

by their physiognomy the nature OF then
inhabitants. Go through Rouen, Lyons,
Brest or Strasbourg. and look around
you. Everythings which strikes your
eye will be revelation of tastes, and
hobbies; 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
see its grand edifces, with their magis-
terial air, its promenades, with scarcely
here and there some pensiye reader, you
recognize at once the capital of the old
Breton Duchy, the old seat of Parla-
ments, the city Of study, where all the
thoughtful youths of the province come
to cultivate their minds, for the prevalent
air of Rennes is gravity the whole city
is calm and severe as judgment hall,
and, indeed. it is the dwelling-place of
the law. There you find its temple, its
high priests, and its most iervent wor-
shippers. They resort hither from the
most remote parts OF Brittany to seek
counsel. To come to Rennes without con-
sulting lawyer appears as impossible to
q Breton rs it would have been to q Greek
to pass the temple of Delphos without
inlerrogating the Pythoness.
This was as true towards tho end of
the last century as it is to-day. and espec.
tally OF the peasants, u race rendered
timid by inexperience, and accustomed TO
take precautions. So, then, it happened,
one day, that farmer, having come to
Rennes for some bargain. concluded af
ter his business was finished, that as he
still had some hours of leisure. it would
be we'll for him to employ them in con-
sulting q lawyer. He had often heard
NJ. Potter de Ia Germondaie spoken OF
whose reputation was so great that o
cause was deemed already gained il il
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
a long time. At last his turn came, and
he was introduced NJ Potter dc "a Ger
mondaie signed to him to sit down, laid
his spectacles on the desk, and asked
what he came for.
"Faith Mr.. Advocate" said the farm
er, twisting his hat, 81 have heard SO
much talk OF you that, as was here, !
thought would take the chance of con.
sulting you."
81 thank you for your confidence, my
friend, said Mr.. Germondaie "hut you
have some suit. | suppose ?"
"Suit ? abominate them, and Peter
Bernard never had word with any
body"
Then it is q settlement, n family di-
vision ?"
Excuse me, Mr.. Advocate; my fam.
lily and myself have never had any dl-
vision to make, seeing we eat out OF the
same cupboard. rs they say
1T concerns some purchase or sale
then P"
"Oh, no indeed am not rich enough
to buy, nor yet poor enough to have to
sell out"
"But what do you want with me,
then Pr asked the astonished lawyer.
Oh, well have told you, SIR" re-
piled Bernard, with loud embarrassed
laugh; 81 want an opinton-for money.
nderstand-because | am here at Rem
nes, and must profit by the occasion
NJ Germondae smiled, took n pen and
paper, and asked his name.
Peter Bernard" replied he, happy to
be understood at last.
Your age ?n
Thirty years or thereabouts."
"Your profession '-Oh, yes !. what |
do ? am farmer"
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded
the paper and handed it to his strange
client.
''is it finished already ?" cried Ber.
nard "Oh. well-ihat's luck one has no
time to grow mouldy, rs they say. How
much is il worth, this opinion, Mr.. Law
yer P"
Three francs"
Bernard paid without complaint, scrap
ed his loot, and went, enchanted with
having profted by the occasion.
When he reached home it was already
four 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
his boys cane TO ask if he must 60 bring
it in. This evening?" interrupted the
farmers wife, who had joined her hus-
band, "it would be a shame to 60 to work
so late, when you could do it to morrow
without firing yourself" The boy re-
marked that the weather might change,
that the teams were ready and the hands
unemployed. The vile replied that the
wind was from good quarter, and that
tae night would soon interrupt them.
Bernard listening to both sides, did
not know how to decide, when suddenly
he recolected the lawyers paper. stop
a minute !" cried he, II have got an
opinion here; it is from famous man,
and cost me three francs. That ought to
settle it. Let US see. There, tell us
what it says, you who can read all writ
ing"
The wife took the paper and read, hes
itatinp these two lines: "NeCcr Dut off