Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-09-23
The Countryman end tho Lawyer.

OHe day farmer, AaUel l. nai"'
having finished his business at henHca
market, and finding that he mad stun
ali hour or two to spare. presented MN
self &. the office OF NJ. Potter de IL Ger
nondaie, in George street 1nls gen
tleman was lawyer, and such WAS he
reputation that the side which engaged
him in lawsuit was thought to he sure
of winning.
The waiting room was full OF clients
ard Bernard had to wait some time.
At length, however. his turn came, ana
he was introduced. The lawyer signed to
him to sit down, took oil his spectacies,
looked at Bernard, and asked Elm his
business.
why, you see, sir" said the farm
er, turning his hat around and around
in his hand, ~ have heard so much OF
Won that, finding myself at Rennes, l
Game to consult you. wishing TO proht
by your opinion
much obliged to you for your con-
fiience, my friend" said NJ. de la Ger
mondaie. 81 suppose you have some
lawsuit on hand?"
Lawsuit. / hate and detest them!
"Then you have family property to
divide 2"
Beg pardon, sir, but we have NO
need to divide; we all dip our hands
into the same money-bag.
"Well, then, what DO you want OF
me 2" asked the legal adviser IN sur
prise.
Why, l told you, sir" answered
Bernard. II want lawyers opinion
I'm ready to pay for it. of course
because. you see, was here at Rennes
and did not like to lose the chance
The lawyer smiled, took pen and pa
per, and asked the countryman hIs
| name.
Peter Bernard, at your service,
answered the latter, delighted to have
made himself understood at last.
Your age ?"
Forty, or Whereabouts"
"Your profession?'
"My profession Oh! you mean
what do do? I'm farmer"
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded
the paper, and gave it to his strange
client.
FINISHED already ?" cried Bernard
"Well 80 much the better; you don I
let the grass grow under your feet here,
1 can see. And how much might there
be to pay for this opinion, SIR
"Three francs"
Bernard paid without word. made
his bow, and went away delighted al
having profitcd by the opportunity.
1t was four o'clock when Bernard
reached home. He was very tired. aud
had made up his mind to rest for the
remainder of the day. But, Just as he
entered the house, one of tho men Came
to ask if they had not better carry the
hay in that meadow by the river; it had
been cut day or two, and was quite
ready.
"rhis EVENING"" exclaimed the farm
er's wife, who had just joined her hus
band. "It would be shame to set tC
work 80 late. when tomorrow will dc
Just as WE'LL"
The man suggested that the weather
might change, that the horses were still
in the wagons, and that there was moth
ing else for the laborers to do. Th.
farmers wife replied that the wind was
in good quarter, and that, even il
they began they would not be able t.
finish that night, 80 what was the use
Bernard listened first to one and theI
to the other, at a loss how to decide
when he suddenly remembered thu
lawyers paper.
"Wait minute" he cried. "Ihav.
a lawyers opinion here, real goot
lawyer he is, too. 1t cost me three
francs. and it ought to help us to de
eide this business. Here, Therese. tel
Us what it's all about, for you Can rea(
writing like print"
The woman took the paper, and read
with many stops. the words: "Petc
Bernard. never put off till tomorrow
what you can do to-day"
That's it'll" cried the farmer, strucl
by the fitness of the opinion. leone
then, be quick all of you, horses, carts
lads and lasses. and veil carry the hay.
His wife objected still; but he de
clared that be was not going to pal
three francs for an opinion and ther
make no use of it, and that he intended
to follow the lawyers advice. He Sc
the example, putting himself at the
head Of his laborers. and working a,
hard as any one until all the hay wal
safely carried.
J The event proved the wisdom OF hi
conduct; for the weather changed il
the night, q sudden storm broke ovel
the valley, and returning day showed
that the river had overlooked its banks
and was carrying away the hay which
lay in swathes and hillocks. The hsr
vest of the neighbors was completely
destroyed. Bernard alone had lost
nothing.
This first trial gave him such conf
dence in the opinion of the lawyer tina,
from that day forward he made it hi,
rule of conduct, and became, by hie
method and industry. one of the richest
farmers in the neighborhood. More
over, he lever f'rgot the service rem
dered him by NJ. de la Germandaie
and every year he took him, in token o.
gratitude. couple of his best foal
and be- always said. whenever any on.
mentioned lawyers, that, next to thu
commandments If God, the best thine
to follow was the advice of a good Law
YER Chatterbox.
| A NEEDED PRONUNCIATIoN MANUAL
The g. neral interest IN pronouncip,
EuRli-h correctly should induce a com
petent philOlogian TO compile a mauus
which will not only indicate the cor
sect pronunciation of words, bat al-t
The reasons, if any Can be given. Mos
people believe that there is a .staud
ard pronunciation, aud that q give1
word can be pronounced correctly il
but one way. while all other ways ar,
wrong. This belief is not we'll fou nded