St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-19
1T WAS A HARD-EARNED FEE.
How a Georgia Lawyer obtained
His Reward.

His Reward.
Atlanta Constitution.
"The hardest-earned fee lever made"
remarked a lawyer in the city court
room a few days ago. twas In a Justlce
court in Atlanta. That was just after l
came here, over ten years ago. The
case was before Judge Butt, When his
Office was on Mitchell street, near n
corner of Whitehall. Surely a lawyer
never worked harder for a $40 fee h a
L did in that case"
1t was during the recess for dinner,
and quite a number of lawyers had
gathered about one of the open win
dows to enjoy the breeze and to smoke
their cigars. The conversation took a
retrospective, reminiscent turn.
"My CLIENT" continued the lawyer, his
Eyes twinkling at the recollection, was
Gabe Turner, an old darby. He was
was a big deacon in some church-Pye
forgotten the name-and was much
worked up over the matter, 1t was
really a trivial case, and ! vas inclined
to believe With Gabe that it was all a
persecution and done at the inStigatiOn
of another deacon in Gabe's church.
well, the day came for the trial and
the court room was crowded. About
hall the congregation had come to swear
for Gabe, and the other half for the
other man. Tw0-thirdS of the witnesses
were women, and they just would 90
back to the beginning-you know what
that means in a negro church quarrel
and tell the whole story.
ut was a rare old case.
"Finally we agreed to submit the case
without any more evidence and without
argument.
"Old Gabe was acquitted.
Next day, as he had promised, Gabe
came to see me-. The old darby was
able to pay, and knew him to be prompt
misgiving, though, as 500 as | saw his
face. He came to the point at once.
"'Well, boss,' said Gabe, i come to
pay you for my caSe.'
THAT sounded all right, but Gabe
looked skittish. l noticed that, l sup
pose, because l needed the money so. I
just had to have it.
IAN if we kin agree old Gabe went
on, I've got the money right here
agree said l, didn't we make an
agreement to begin with?'
"'Dat'S so,' admitted Gabe, but l
was countin' on a speech in dat case.
Dem ringers ought certainly to been
'sp0sed. De speech was de big part
But l wasn't going to give up that
SO If there was any way out of it.
1.-The charge is dismissed against
you, Gable said /, and the other negro
paid all the costs. What good could it
do to make a Speech?"
"''Twoudn'er done no good. De
speech was de big part wild me cause [
wanted to hear dem niggers 'sposed.'
"'Gabe,' said L, finally, will you
stick to your contract, or will you not?'
"tI'll stick to it. said Gabe, EFF you'll
make de speech
81 had to have $40, and there was
only one way to get it. Ishut the doors
and windows and set Gabe in one cor
ner of the room. Then l took off my
coat and made the speech of my life. I
understood, of course, that Gabe didn't
care anything about the law. All he
wanted was to hear the other crowd
''Seposed.'
l spoke accordingly. 1 called the
chicken thief, and the Lord only knows
what not. The witnesses on the other
side were villains of the deepest dye.
They were spots on the earth and imps
of perdition.
81 spoke for ten minutes, l suppose.
Old Gabe leaned back, and his black
face was radiant. At the flop-eared
hound part old Gabe'S hands came to-
gether in a hallelujah pat, and a happi-
ness came over him too deep tor
words.
"'Gloryi' said Gabe, OATS right
81 wound up with a eulogy on the
goodness and honesty of my client,
Gabriel.
"Well, gentlemen, l got the $40.
Gabe moved to Gwinnett county after
that, and twice since then he has
needed a lawyer. Both times he came
to Atlanta after me. L can charge
what | please, and Gabe pays it cheer
fuliy.D