New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-06
STORIES OF THE BAR.
From The Boston Advertiser.

From T he Boston Advertiser.
Perhaps they may recall The true anecdOte OF the
old Boston lawyer who always returned to his Office
III Scollay's Building after an early tea, ana re-
aimed till l. working by the light OF three talow
candles one of which was stuck consplcuOtlSly III
his window overlooking the square, that its beam
might announce TO any belated clients that he was
stil at his post. While working late one evening
he was surprised by the hurried entrance OF one OF
the most successful and respected merchants OF the
town, who seemed very nervous ana GREATNESS
All -" said he, sinking into a char, :" you
don't know how relieved feel 10 lind you here. W G
had private advices, late this afternoon, That one OF
our heaviest creditors Is going tosusDead tomorrow
morning have been searching high and how for
lawyer to get on the first attachment under the OLD
law) and had about come 10 the conclusion tnat
/ must wait my chance till Tomorrow
but yoT bs can was make DONE out and n0 from % that
moment - had all the old merchants law Dus-
ness, and this fact soon brought nm INTO prom-
hence and fortune. Or they may nave Deeh struCh
with the happy experience OF another Old Boston
LAWYER w. no Is said have entered more cases Tor
trial than any one before or since his time, VINO
invariably arrived at his Office by hali-past seven III
the morning and who GU one occasion was called
upon at that hour by the late A. l. Stewart Oh New
York, who told him that lie had come TO Boston to
transact some law business, ana had brought an
introduction TO three Boston lawyers; and as the
other two were not to be found, and as the matter
needed Immediate attention, he should Dc Pleased
If Mr. - would take IL III hand This was done,
and Mr.. Stewart remained 5 client until his
death.
But such windfalls are rare and are certainly the
exception The writer was cOnVeTsng on tins sub
ject not long ago with successful ana very oDscfY-
ant member of the profession, and the following
questions were asked and answered: How many
lawyers in Boston make $4,000 year IRON their
practice I" You can count them on the fingers
OF one hand" And how many make
$40. OOOp Not dozen" " How many
make as much as 5000 - Perhaps
a quarter Of the active bar" How much 40 the
others maker "a good many pick up $1,000 TO
81 900, many work at other things 10 help support
them Some live from hand 10 mouth, aud some
nearly starVe" What becomes OF all The young
lawyers W ho get admitted every month";" A lew
who have fathers or relalVes already prohlhcnt III
the profession 20 in with them. and md enough 10
do A good many, by slow degrees, Duild up a lar
practice for themselves. Some keep an ONCE Tor
few years and do nothing, and then DRIFT into some
other occupation. Some go West, and some 80 TO
the devil"
A learned Boston lawyer, who has finished his
course was evening riding 10 his home in pub
lie con vance, accompanied by friend. Opposite
them sat q decent WUrklnglnan who was also
homeward bound after his daily toll Tie lat
Ter bowed TO the lawyer respectfully, but he
only stared c0ldly III response Why, sald the
LAWYERS companion to the attorney. that man ~ a
client of youTsw "What Of it" replied the law
yer 4" do not consider that l am bound, alter
office hours 10 notice iamiaGly every man " no has
consulted me-" lie certainly was not but the pub
lie soon found out his PECULIARLY, and dld not trou-
bic MIN often with then affairs
The late Henry i. Durant was striking example
of the opposite temperament. When he had once
taken 10 a case his whole personality seemed to be
absorbed i'll IL. lie left nothing undoue that could
nightly assist his client. lie became hlmseH the
naintff ar the defendant. Ii was his caSej lie was
the one seeking JUSTICE lac was determined 10 SECURE
il: and SO terribly earnest did ne become III the
out to his client-he put himself, IN taci SO com
petely IN his place-that after obtaining veIdlce
usually faVOrable) bo was often completely WIKI
out aud physically overcome.