The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-02-22
A HARD-EARNED FEE.
How a Georgia Lawyer Obtained HIS !
Reward.

"The hardest earned fee l eve5
made" remarked lawyer in the city
court room few days ago, "was in a
justice court in Atlanta. That was just
after 1 came here, over ten years ago.
The case was before Judge Butt, when
his office was on Mitchell street, near
the corner of Whitehall. Surely law
yer never worked harder for $40 fee
than l did in that case"
1t was during the recess for dinner
and qnite number of lawyers hsS
gathered about one of the open vii.
dows to enjoy the breeze and to smokt,
their cigars. The conversation took a
retrospective, reminiscent turn.
"My CLIENT" continued the lawyer,
his eyes twinkling at the recollection,
twas Gabe Turner, an old darky. He
was charged with assault and battery.
Gabe was big deacon in some church
I've forgotten the name--and was
very much worked up over the matter.
1t was really trivial case, and l was
inclined to believe with Gabe that it
was all 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
half the congregation had come to
swear tor Gabe, and the other half for
the other man. Two-thirds OF the wit
nesses were women, and they just would
60 back to the beginnlng-you know
what that means in a negro church
quarrel-and tell the whole story.
at was 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 darky
was able to pay, and l knew him to be
prompt in meeting his debts. l felra
vague misglvlng, though, as soon as l
saw his face. He came to the point at
once.
"'Well. boss said Gabe, Il come to
pay you for my case
"That sounded all right, but Gabe
looken skittish. l noticed that, 1 sup
pose, because 1 needed the money so.
l just had to have it.
"'An' if we kin agree old Gabe
went on, I've got the money right
here
"'Agree,' said 1, didn't we make an
agreement to begin with2'
"fDat's so,' admitted Gabe, but l
was countin' on speech IN dat
case. Dem nIggers ought certainly to
been 'sposed. De speech was de big
part
"But l wasn't gong to give up that
ten dollars if there was any way out it.
"'The charge is dismissed against
you, Gabe, said l, 'and the other negro
paid all the costs. What good could it
do to make speech7"
'Twouldn'er done no good. De
speech was de big part wild me cause l
wanted to hear dem niggers 'sposed.'
"Gabe,' SAID l, will you stick to
your contract or will you not7'
"I'll stick to IT., said Gabe, 'ef you'll
make de speech
II had to have $40, and there was
only one way to get it. l shut the
uOOIS dHu "liluOWS, dHu Sdl odUC Ill
one corner of the room. Then l took
off my coat and made the speech of
my life. l understood, of course, that
Gabe didn't care anything about the
law. All he wanted was to hear the
other crowd ''sposed.'
81 spoke accordingly. called the
other deacon a fop-eared hound, a
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, suppose.
Old Gabe leaned back, and his black
face was radiant. AT the hop-eared
hound part old Gabe's hands came to-
gether in hallelujah pat, end happi-
ness came over him to deep for words.
"'Glorv = SAID Gabe, Oats right
81 wound up with eulogy on the
Goodness and honesty of my client, Ga
briel.
swell, gentlemen, 1 got the $40.
Gabe moved to Gwinnett County after
that, and twice since ther he has need
ed lawyer. Both times he came to
Atlanta after me. | can charge what |
please, and Gabe pays it cheerfully.-
atlanta Constitution,