The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-05-24
A Good Lawyer.

seventy-six members who lately made
! up the United States Senate, Efty were
practicing lawyers. The same profess
sion furnishes heads to nearly all the
Government 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
good Senator, - is aremark frequently
| heard when the name of an incoming
Senator is mentioned.
But there are lawyers and-ld1CVerS.
Besides, the epithet good is so equiv
Deal as to leave one in doubt as to its
meaning, when applied to 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 a 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 MIR.
Hackett, when a young practitioner
and in trying emergency, proved him
self a good lawyer and a 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 then there was q race be-
tween creditors. Each one ran to serve
the first attachment on the debtors
property, as that writ must be satisfied
ia full, before any other.
When young Hackett trudged from
his fathers house to seek his fortune,
he passed a night in the home of Mr.
Coe, a 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 husband 5 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
upon several notes, among which was
one given by Mr.. Coe. The hard time;
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 al
stake.
Taking the officer, he rode to Mr..
Goes. He was absent Mrs. Coe, on
learning the cause of the visit, said that
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, Endorsed by its
president, for two hundred more.
When his client came in, the following
conversation ensued:
"Well, squire, said the client, ''haVe
you secured my note?'
yes answered Mr.. Hackett
"What have you got it on TOP"
''This is what I've got it on to, taking
from his desk roll of bank-bills.
"Why. what does this mean? If I'd
supposed he was that kind of man.
wouldn't have sued him"
"You or anybody else ought to be
ashamed TO sue man like Mr.. COe,
when you could get your money by
calling for it."
That's so, squire; I am ashamed
I'm sorry, too"
He was SO sorry that he willingly
paid the expenses, and went away
grateful to the lawyer and full of kindly
feeling to his late debtor. The next day
Mr.. Coe, pale and agitated, appeared
in the lawyers office.
"Mr. Hackett, have you sued me?"
were his first words.
go, no. was the reassuring reply.
I'm all right, them" added Mr..
Coe, opening his wallet; 1--WE got the
money here, But if you'd sued me,
'twould have started everybody else
Laying down a sum far exceeding the
debt, he begged Mr.. Hackett to helt
himself to liberal fee.
"Not cent, sir promptly replied
the man who preferred to assuage strife
rather than foment it. ''For l shamed
the costs out of my client - YOUTHS
Companion.