Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-03-01
A FORTUNE AS A FEE.
Percentage That Would Have Made the
Lawyer Rich, but it Cost Him $40.

Lawyer Rich, but it Cost Him $40.
My first client came to me on New
Years Day. and, by the way, he was the
qucerest one / ever had" said the old
lawyer. who was in a reflective mood,
addressing a Cincinnati Times-Star re-
porter. Il had opened up an Office be
fore New Years after I had been ad-
mitted to practice. hut clients were not
plentiful in those days, and but for a
few dollars I had saved l would have
had to borrow or else go TO the poor
house. / sat in my office on New Years
morning. having resisted the invitation
of several jolly young fellow-attorneys
10 60 ont calling. Suddenly the door
opened and in walked a white-haired
old man. who, but for his solemn cast
of countenanco. might have passed for
second Santa Claus. A light snow
vas falling. and. as heshOOk the fieecy
flakes from his clothes, he said, Wet
day. sir | saw a possible client, and
i'm my suavest tone assured him that I
agreed with him
My name is Pelton,' he said, Him
alaya Pelton, and I wish TO entrust a
very important matter to your care. l
come 10 YOU because You have the same
name as the best friend my father ever
had. and know every one of that name
must be shrewd and honorable. I have
a claim for 81 100000 l want collected,
and I am willing to give you 10 per
cent. If YOU get the money in sixty days
and Is per cent if you get it in a
month His words almost rendered me
speechless. and I hardly knew myself
when found that l was answering him
i'm an ordinary tone and assuring him
that would do my best, as though col
Letting such large claims was a fire.
Quent occurrence with me. Very well,
young man. he replied as he eyed me
/ keenly, / have the papers here and he
proceeded to draw a large roll of legal
looking documents from his overcoat
pocket He handed them over, and
scanned them hurriedly.
They were the deeds. apparently for
a large tract of land in Nevada, which
included a silver mine. For 81 and
other considerations the property had
been apparently transferred TO Hima-
lava Pelton. and the title looked all
right. Now. I'll tell YOU what l want
you TO do. said my white haired visitor,
as he saw the impression the document
made on me- There are parties out
there who want to buy my property.
which is worth a million, but | am too
old TO 60 out there. and know nobody
ont there whom can trust 10 make the
deal / have learned by long expert
enCe 10 be cautious whom l trust but
YOU bear the name Of my fathers dear
est friend, and I know l can trust YOU.
His words and his manner captivated
me. and | expressed my eXultatiOn as
cO0lly informed him that / was not so
pressed with business but that l could
undertake such an important mission.
Then he drew a letter from his pocket,
which he said bore the imposing adver-
tisement of a Western firm of capital
lists and investors. The letter briefly
stated that they were willing to make
the deal with him, but did not specify
what deal. | was too excited however,
10 notice such a minor detail like that.
/ I have other important papers which
/ it will be necessary for you to have be-
/ fore Won start. do not carry all of my
/ precious documents with me, for I am
so old that l often wonder if will live
/ to enjoy my wealth when I ct il. How
ever. I have one relative beautiful
and charming niece. to whom il all Will
be left You will meet her. doubtless,
/ before you so West I must be going
now, for am exhausted by my visit TO
YOU. I will be back tomorrow. OF
course these papers are safe with YOU
until I return. I assured him they
were. and assisted him as he started
slowly TO lsave the Office.
AS he reached the door he said. I
| don't know whether I should confde in