The Bossier banner., 1884-06-19
"A Good LAWYER,


departments.
Why is this thus?-is one of those
questions to which several different
answers may be given. But the fact
has formed, in the Senate, standard
by which the ability of each new Sen
ator is measured.
''He is a good lawyer and will make
a good Senator, p" is aremark frequently
heard when the name of an incoming
Senator is mentioned.
But there are lawyers and-Ld1cyers.
Besides, the epithet good is SO equiv
ocal as to leave one in doubt as to its
meaning, when applied to a lawyer.
If all members of the profession were
as good as the late Mr.. Hackett, OF
Portsmouth, N. H., the country might
rest in the peace that flows from conf
dence, while lawyers rule it.
He did not, says former student
in his office, ''look upon his profession
simply as means of earning money,
but as his place for doing good in the
world"
An anecdote illustrates how Mr..
Hackett, when a young practitioner
and in a trying emergency. proved him.
self good lawyer and good man.
In those days the country trader did
not pay cash for purchases, but gave
his notes to the city merchant. So long
as he paid it, or, at least, a part of its
face, about the time it matured, all
went well between him and his credit
ors.
But should he prove unduly remiss,
or should it be rumored that he was
''hard up,n then there was race be-
tween creditors. Each one ran to serve
the first attachment on the debtors
property, as that writ must be satisfied
in full, before any other.
When young Hackett trudged from
his fathers house to seek his fortune,
he passed night in the home of Mr..
Coe, q country trader of means. As he
was leaving, the next morning, Mrs.
Coe loosely said:
you're going to be a lawyer. Now,
remember, if any of my husbands s notes
come into your office, you won't sue
them without letting him know before
hand"
Five years after, client called on
Mr. Hackett to bring suit forthwith
|
one given by Mr.. Coe. The hard times
had caused many failures and the
client was scared.
| Just as Mr.. Hackett was about put
ting the writ of attachment in an Off
| GERS hands, his promise to Mrs. Coe
| flashed through his mind But there
was his duty to his client, who had
given him peremptory instructions
besides, four hundred dollars were at
stake
Taking the officer, he rode to Mr..
! Goes. He was absent Mrs. Coe, on
learning the cause of the visit, said that
4 an attachment would ruin her husband,
as every creditor would rush in with
his demands. If he was given little
time every dollar should be paid.
The young lawyer decided instantly
upon his course. Assuring Mrs.
| Coe that her husband should suffer nc
harm, he returned to Portsmouth.
The next morning he drew from the
bank all the money he had in the world
two hundred dollars. The bank dis
counted his own note, indorsed by its
| president, for two hundred more.
When his client came in, the following
conversation ensued:
'sWell, squire, said the client, ''have
you secured my note?"
"Yes,' answered Mr.. Hackett.
'tWhat have you got it on TOP
ssThis is what Eve got it on to, taking
from his desk q roll of bank-bills.
"Why. what does this meanp If TX
supposed he was that kind of a man,
wouldn't have sued him. !"
'.You or anybody else ought to b
ashamed to sue man like Mr.. Coe
when you could get your money b.
calling for it. !"
''That's SO, squire; | am ashamed
I'm sorry, toe" !"
He was so sorry that he willingl,
paid the expenses, and went ava,
grateful to the lawyer and full of kindl,
feeling to his late debtor. The next da,
Mr.. Coe, pale and agitated, appeare'
in the lawyers offics.
"Mr. Hackett, have you sued me?'
were his first words.
so, no." was the reassuring reply.
'Im all right, then" added MI
Coe, opening his wallet; "I've got th
money here. But if you'd sued me
'twould have started everybody else.
Laying down a sum far exceeding tn
debt, he begged Mr.. Haekett to hel
himself to liberal fee.
"Not a cent, sir,n promptly reptile
the man who preferred to assuage strii
rather than foment it. ''For | shame
the costs out of my client. = Youth
Companion.
I'm Trimble County, Kentucky
{ ] Mar1 Gtnnhans s11nrnsed her h11sha n