Evening journal., 1901-07-11
Stories Of George v. Massey

tHc Olu-ldSulOueu, Ouc-SIOIy, WclIQcl-
beaten building occupying a prominent
site only a few doors from the Court
House. At first he will take II to be
some old residence of another genera
tion, whose owner in the march of
general progress, has Jagged behind.
On near approach, however, he will
read on the door sign bearing the
name Of one of the popular young at
tOrneys of Kent
Should you inquire further about the
building, you would find that, rather
than being regarded as a blemish on
the dignified and well-kept neighbor-
hood, every man from Kent regards il
with reverence, and would resent any
effort at it's demolition.
For a great many years It was the
centre of all legal matters Of the
county, hardly second to the Court
House. There some Of the most famous
lawyers daily met their clients; there
numerous students sat at the feet CT
masters, and filled their young minds
with legal lore which was to stand
them in good stead in later years.
At his old pine table with a pile OF
books, before him sat one of Delaware S
greatest lawyers deliberately elucidat-
ing the principles OF some intricate
case, announcing no conclusion, but
making It so clear that the Inference
to- the mind OF the client was as clear
as noon-day That was ~ b. Smithers.
In the other rcom,. furnished with
equal simplicity, was George V. Massey,
so long connected with the Kent bar
and now attorney for the Pennsylvania
railroad. In that little Office he estab
lished his large practice, made life
long attachments and conducted po'it-
icsl campaigns. And such friends as
he made! Amid his busy life they
have never forgotten him nor have
they been forgotten
The old citizens of Dover tell this
story regarding the continuance OF the
old building One morning Mr. Massey.
who owned the ediiice stepped into the
Office Of Mr. Smithers and said Il
have decided to put up new building
and the contractor wants to begin at
once. ] want you to design a room
for yourself in any part Of the building
you desire, and it shall be exactly as
you want IL.
We'll, George" replied Mr.. Smithers,
when you get ready just let me
know, and I'll move out, but ] shall
never come back again" Mr.. Massey
saw how deeply the old man was at
taOhed to the place, and in cOnse-
quence the old building was never re-
moved
An old citizen recently grew remlnis-
cent and told many incidents connected
with the old spot and with Mr.. Massey.
lie said: "A certain young man who
hug oil IN "a,
fession graduated from Mr.. Massey s
Office, and went into practice at
another place in town. For a time he
discouraged. One day Mr. Massey met
him on the street and said Bob (that
name will answer) how would you like
to come over and practice with me-?
"Of course the young man was de-
lighted but he hesitated, because OF
the fear that he might net be equal to
the new duties. Now, If you're com
ing. get your books right away and
come over said Mr. Massey. The
transfer was made Immediately. A few
days after he had an important case
which he turned absolutely over to the
younger man, refusing to have any
thing to do with it. Bob sweated, and
burned midnight OIL went into court
with trepidation, but secured a verdict
when they went back to the Office
the delighted client asked for his bill
but the younger man refused, and sent
him into Mr. Massey. That gentleman
said five dollars, to the amazement OF
the client who supposed it would be al
least hundred. lie was informed that
the figure named was all that he could
pay.
After he was gone Bob was called
in to divide the fee, and when two dol
lars and half were turned over tC
him, his disgust and astonishmeni
were unbounded Why. he stammered
4 supposed ii would he very mucf
more than that Then said Mr. Mas
sey, you should have made your owl
charge Remember that when yol
send a client to me for a bill for thu
[ work you have done. shall neye
charge any more than five dollars Th'
hint was taken and the young maj
learned to rely upon himself"
Another old citizen here took up th'
broken thread and continued: Il re
member one night during the senator
ial contest OF 80 few nights befcr
the caucus which chose Mr.. Higgins
Mr.. Massey's friends were condden
and felt sure Of seven men. perhap
eight. which would be a majority.
meeting had been arranged at tn
Office of Mr.. Massey and seven o
eight members were invited.
They gathered about o'clock in tn
evening and found their host in a hap
py vein. soon he branched of on hi
experiences, and kept the statesme
hanging on his words. OCCASIONAL
there would be roars Of laughter TIA
rolled out into the street Final
someone looked at his watch; it wa
nearly - o'clock. and there hadn
been a word OF politics! When ths
fact was brought to Mr.. Massey's al
tention. he said. oh, we'll. We'll tai
over that some other time
Il tell you" said our informan
many people didn't treat Mr.. Masse
right; they lied about him. and SON
OF the friends he trusted implicitly, b
trayed him. II was said that
wanted 10 be senator Just in the int
ests of the Pennsylvania railroa
> Why. | have seen a letter which NJ
Massey wrote friend in which