The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18
LAWYERS UNUSUAL FEE
HIS CLIENT GAVE HIM AN APPAR-
EMILY WORTHLESS NOTE,
And He Collected Many Times More
Than His Original Fee-A story
with a Moral.

James W. Harper, former judge in Room
p Superior Court, is fond of telling good
story on himself of how he received fee
that was entirely unexpected Ten fif-
teen years ago Judge Harper kept his office
in the Vance block. One day he was con-
suited by merchant of this city, who will
be known as G. in the story. The mer-
chant was badly embarrassed, since he
owed about $4,000. and the wholesale
houses were pressing him. He came to
Attorney Harper for advice. The lawyer
learned that G-'s wife had some time be-
fore come into possession of about 1880,
which had been given her by her father.
This money she had loaned her husband
and 1t was invested in his business.
The attorney advised c. to secure his
wife the first thing, and he did so. ''Well,
we finally got the matter settled up" said
Judge Harper in telling the story the other
day, land C. and his wife started in
business again. The creditors, of course,
were losers to certain extent, but 1 felt
it my duty to advise the man to look after
his family first. ] didn't see him for sew
eral weeks after the business was settled
and i began to wonder about my fee 1
ought to have at least $780, thought c.
didn't come around. and one day 1 sent
him a note, asking him to call at my office.
He came in day or two and I asked about
my fee, stating that 1 would be willing to
square up for 800. 1 also recalled to his
mind that / had performed a legal service
for him to the best of my ability, and 1
thought / should be paid. AS soon as L
finished my speech c. jumped up and
started for the door.
'I haven't got time to talk about that to-
day." he snapped as he went out the door.
Of course made up my mind that my fee
was not an assured thing and 1 let the
one day 1 met C. on the sidewalk in
front Of the Vance block and / held him
up 1 asked him to come to the Office. as
wanted to talk to him. He was inclined to
be a little impatient, and wanted to know
if couldn't do my talking where was.
"'Well. / might, c. said ]. but 1t is
possible J. might say some things that you
would not want the public to hear
IT think C. understood that he had bet
ter come to the office, and he signified his
willingness to come with me. We came
upstairs, and as soon as we got into the
office he drew piece of paper from his
pocket, and, throwing it down on the table,
he remarked: Take that or nothing
AN OUTLAwED NOTE.
II picked UP the piece Of paper and saw
that 1t was a note that had been given
by a man named B. several years before.
1t had been outlawed long ago. The prin-
cipal and interest amounted to something
over $500. knew Mr.. B, and remem-
bered that he had become bankrupt sew
eral years before. / showed the note in the
drawer Of my desk as a worthless instru-
ment. week or two later. however,
got to thinking about the matter and sat
down and wrote B. a note, asking him
to call at my office If he should happen to
be in my neighborhood. He came within
few days. and 1 showed him the note.
Eyes said he, gave that note, and it
is perfectly good. Now, I'll say to you that
within ten days III pay 500 on that note
and will settle the remainder by paying a
hundred or two hundred dollars every
month OF course 1 was amazed I said
to B that would only ask him to pay
500, but he insisted that he would pay
every dollar of II. Then / suggested that
he only pay the principal.
"'No, sir. he declared. I owe the in
terest. too. and since L am making money
now expect to pay every cent Of it,
'swell. to make q long story short. that
man, within few months. paid OF every
dollar that the note called for. A short time
after he had finished paying the note c.
came In to my Office one day. What do
you think he said TO me? He said he had
understood that B. had paid on the note
in full. and since had only demanded a
fee of 500. he supposed I would pay over
the remainder to him. Did I do IL? Not
much. simply recalled to G]'s mind
that he had thrown ain apparently WORTH
less note on my. desk with the suggestion
that I take that or nothing c. szz;;ed