Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-10-28
A Heavy Fee.

of our most eminent lawyers was
h placing a few documents in his
black bag, prior to leaving his cham.
bers in the Temple for the night,
though evidently about to take good
store of work home with him, the
door leading into the inner Office was
opened, and his clerk announced a
visitor. --T-
The gentleman wishes to see you,
sir, on a private matter of some i'm
portance. /
The barrister sighed wearily, and
-glancing at the card held out to him,
he said: y d + 4 2
Show the gentleman in 80
Obeying his injunction, the clerk
ushered into the barrlster's room a
short, thick-set man, with bald head,
heavy beard and whiskers, and pur-
plish visage.
He nodded familiarlv, and yet not
without kind of awkwardness.
Then, placing bis hatupon the table.
he took out of his pocket bulky pack
ct of what we're evidently legal docu-
ments.
In response to the barrister's inquir-
ing glance, he said:
ITS out of the regular order, |
know-contrary to legal etiquette and
all that, for client to come for coun
sells opinion as l am doing, but l like
to 90 to the fountain-head direct, no
middle-man for me, you understand,
and So
We'll, what them?
4 want you to look through these
deeds and give me your opinion on the
merits of the case.
Then, fancying he saw indications
that the barrister was about to decline
the business, he added, hastily:
Il want the matter kept private;
time is of great consequence, and am
prepared to pay you literally, very
liberally indeed, ior your opinion! he
added, very significantly.
Whether the applicants surprise
was incorrect, or whether the man of
law was influenced by the words last
spoken, would be hard to say; but he
extended his hand, and, without utter
ing syllable, took the packet that the
stranger was holding towards him.
Familiar with the law in all its de-
tails it.took but few moments to
enable the barrister to master the facts
which the writings set forth, and hav-
ing done 80, he looked again with
mute inquiry into his clients face.
You understand, sir, no doubt, the
condition under which hold the pro-
perty referred to in those deeds?'
i believe so, perfectly t...
Il am threatened with an action, al
ready the preliminary formalities have
been proceeded with, but, as you will
understand, no doubt, publicity is the
last thing l desire, though, of course
. should not surrender without 1
struggle.
Exactly so, publicity would meal
dis-well, would be disagreeable, ii
fact, extremely unpleasant to you'll!
'And all concerned, interrupted tn
other, hastily,
just sol
you will write your opinion upol
the case, you know, of course, from
. your high legal reputation your opin
ion has more than ordinary weight
and l have some confidence that
will be in my favorp,
'Sir!' answered the barrister, am
his voice took an infexion of sternnes
as he spoke, these papers disclose t
me a most painful scene of domesti
misery. So far as l can see at presen
4, every moral law, every human obliga
i ton is against you, while, by a strie
Interpretation of the judicial code, tn
statute law is indisputably on you
d side.' e..s
A CLEAN of joy changed the expres
. sion on the mans face to one of tr
umph but tue barrister added:
> That is only my impression, 20
understand; it may be modified {
changed by closer Investigations
;, But will you give me your write
opinion?'
G. well, yes, certainly; but my fee,
is best to be explicit on this point
Sc will be a heavy--a very heavy onep
e. NO matter!' was the hasty answe
s. i can afford to pay it. When wi
= you have the opinion ready2'
Tomorrow
AT this hour?'
Yes
Good! I will be here.
And twenty-four hours afterwart
the two men were again seated fa'
to face.
The barrister had before him tt
packet of deeds which had been han,
ed to him the night before, and also
sealed envelope, which, however, bo
!, neither name nor address.
V Taking up the letter, he said:
u Here is nv written opinion in fl
upon this strange and painful cass.
Y. Ny impression of last night is cor
at firmed, may say, has become ce
sds Sd tainty. Tried before a tribunal
i. divine, nay, human Justice, the ca
= i II ,