The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-29
A LAWYERS STORY.
His Experiences With a Mean Client
and an Honest Man.

James w. Harper formerly Judge in
Room 2, Superior Court, is fond of tell
I ing a god story on himself of how he
received a fee that was entirely unex-
pected. Ten or fifteen years ago Judge
Harper kept his office in the Vance
Black. One day he was consulted by
merchant of this city, who will be
known as c. in the story. The mer-
chant was badly embarrassed, as he ow-
ed about $20,0O0 and the wholesale
houses were pressing him. He came to
Attorney Harper for advice. The law
yer learned that G-'s wife had some
time before come into possession of
about $1,000, which had been given her
by her father. This money she had
loaned her husband, and it was invest
ed in his business
The attorney advised G. 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 I felt it my duty to
advise the man to look after his family
first. l didn't see him for several weeks
after the business was settled, and l
began to wonder about my fee. / ought
to have had at least 5000, | thought.
G. didn't come around, and one day
| sent him note, asking him to call
at my office. He came in day or two
and | asked about my fee, stating that
would be willing to square, up for 500.
also recalled to his mind that 1 had,
performed a legal service for him to the
best of my ability, and I thought
should be paid. AS soon as | finished
my speech c. jumped up and start
ed for the door.
ct haven't got time to talk about
that to-day" he snapped as he went
out the door. or course I made up my
mind that my fee was not an assured
thing, and | let the matter run on for
a few months. Finally one day / met
G. on the sidewalk in front of the
Vance Block, and [ held him up. | ask
ed 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 1 couldn't do my talking where
was.
"'Well, I might, c., said I, but i
~ us PoS'iple ill5H' say solHe tiiHSS
that you would ont want the public to
hear
Il THINK c. understood that he had
better come to the office. and he signl-
hed MS Willingness to come with me.
we came up stairs, and as soon as we
got into the office he drew a piece of
paper from his pocket, and, throwing
IT down on the table remarked: rake
that or nothing
Il picked up the piece of paper and
saw that it was note that had been
given by man named B several
years before. 1t had been outlawed long
ago. Inc principal and interest amount
ed to something over SS0o, l knew Mr..
b, ana remembered that ne had be-
come bankrupt several years before. |
showed the note In the drawer or my
desk as worthless instrument. week
or two later, however, l got to think
ing about the matter and sat down and
wrote b note, asking him to call
at my office II he should happen to be in
my neighborhood. He came within a
few days and / showed him the note
Yes, said he 1T gave that note,
and 1t Is perfectly good. Now, I'll say |
TO you that within ten days III pay $500 |