Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1893 — One Eminent Lawyer’s Fee. [ARTICLE]

One Eminent Lawyer’s Fee.

The most eminent consulting lawyer of Paris at one time in the last century was the Abbe May. His opinion had great weight in forming the decision of the judges, and he was often consulted in important matters outside the law. His fee for an opinion was usually a large one. The story of one of his exceptional fees is related by M. de Bois Saint-Just in his history of Paris: g A cure from the country called on the Abbe one day, and after complimenting him with earnestness and sincerity on his creditable and deserved reputation, said that he was involved in a lawsuit which he did not understand. He asked the Abbe to advise him whether he was in the right or in the wrong, and whether he had better carry on the suit. So saying, he delivered to the great jurist an enormous package of papers covered . with almost illegible handwriting. The Abbe cheerfully accepted the task, and told the cure to call again in two weeks. He was pleased with the good, simple-hearted man, and devoted his best energies to clearing up the case, though he was obliged to put other matters aside in order to do so. The cure called on the day appointed, took the Abbe’s written opinion and read it through critically. He was delighted with the enthusiasm and clearness with which his rights were set forth. Embracing the Abbe gratefully, he cried: “Ah, monsieur, no one could be better pleased than I am, and I want you to be satisfied also. Here is my money, monsieur. Please take what is due you,” and he threw a 3-franc piece on the table. “Not to humiliate the good man, the Abbe picked up the coin, took 36 sous from his purse, and handed his client the change. Some one said, when he told the story, that as usual he had lost by his disinterestedness. “Lost!” said the Abbe. “And do you count the pleasure of telling the story nothing?"