Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-05-16
MISCELLAREoUs.
ALEGAL OPINION,


Aue DAY farmer, named Bernard, having
" finished his business at the market. and
hudIag he had an hour or two to spare, pre.
scnted himself, in half in toxicated condition.
at the office of NJ. Potter de 10 Germondaie.
in George street. This gentleman was a
lawyer, and such was his reputation that the
sdo which engaged him in law suit was
thought to be sure of winning.
Tho waiting room was full of olieuts. and
Bernerd had to wait some time. AT length.
however, his turn came, aud he was in.ro>
duced. The lawyer signed to him to sit
down, took off his spectaces, looked at Ber>
nerd, and asked him his business.
"Why, you see, SIR" said the farmer,
turning his hat round and round in his hand.
Il have hoard so mulch of you that finding
myself here, I came to consult you, wishing
to profit by your opinion"
''Much obliged to you for your confidence.
my friend said Mr.. de Ia Germondaie. 81
suppose you have some lawsuit on hond?"
Lawsuit hate and detest them! !"
'Fhen yeu have family property to divide?"
Beg your pardon, sir, but we havo no
Reed to divide; we all dip our hauds into
tho same money bng"
"Well, then, what co you want of me 2"
asked the legal adviser in surprise.
"Why, told you, sir" answered Bernard.
81 want a lawyers opinion-because. Won
500, was here and"-looking around con-
fusedIy-''I did not like to loso the ohanoe."
The lawyer smiled, took pen and papor,
and asked the countryman his name.
"Peter Bernard, at your SERVICE" answer
ed the latter, delighted to have made him>
self understood at last.
"Yeur age ?"
"Forty, or thereabouts."
"Y our profession 2''
MY profession ? Oh! you mean what do
1 do I'm farmer"
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded the
paper, and gave it to his strange client.
"Finished already z" cried Bcrnard.-
"WeN, SO much the better; you don't let
tho grass grow under your feet here, l can
see. And how much might there be to pay
on this opinion, sir z"
"Three francs"
Bernard paid without word, made his
bow, and went away delighted at having a
lawyers advice in his pocket.
1t was four o'clock when Berncrd reached
home. He was very tired and had made up
his mind to rest for the remainder of tho day.
But just as he entered the house one of the
men came to ask if they had not better carry
in the hay in that meadow next the river
it had been cut day or two, and vas cutie
ready.
"This evening"" exclaimed the farmers
wife, who had just joined her husband "It
would be shame to set men to work so late,
when tomorrow would do just az WE'LL"
Tho men suggested that the weather
might change, the horses were still in the
wagons, and that there was nothing olse for
the leberers to do.
The farmers vito replied that the wind
was in good quarter, and that even if they
began, they would not be able to finish that
night, SO what was the use?
Bernerd listened FIRST to one aud then to
the other, at loss how to decide, when he
suddenly remembered the lawyers paper.
"Wait minute he cried, 81 have laws
yer's opinion here, a real good lawyer he is
too. 1t cost me thEee francs, aud it ought
to decide this business. Here, Therese, tell
us what IL is eli about, for you can read
writing like print"
The woman took the paper, and read with
many stops. the words: "Pster Bernard.
never put off till tomorrow what yor can DO
to day"
"Tha.'s is exsotly!" cried the farmer,
struck By the fitness OF tho opinion. "Come,
then, be quick. ell of you, hosees, carts, lads
and lassies, and we'll carry in the hay"
His wife objected still, bat he declared that
no was not going to pay three francs for an
opinion and then make no use of it, and that
he intended to follow the lawyers advice
dc set tho example, putting himself at tho
head of his lsborers, and working ns hnrd as
any one, until the hay was all carried in.
Tho event proved the wisdom of his COM
duct, for the weather changed in the night,
sudden storm broke over the valley, and
returning day showed that the river had
overfowed its banks, and was carrying away
the hay which lay in swatches and hilIooks.
The harvest of the neighbors was completely
destroyed. Bernard alone had lost nothing.
Soon after, the temperance agitation came
along, and Bernard was convinced that he
ought to qui. his strong drink, aad applied
the lawyers udvice to this also II worked
to charm, and these first trials gave him
such confidence in the opinion of the lawyer
that from that dsy forward he made it his
rule of conduct, aud became, by his temper
ance aud industry, one of the most prosper
Gus farmers in the Deighborbood.