Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1890 — BARBAROUS PRACTICE. [ARTICLE]

BARBAROUS PRACTICE.

Some Practices of Lawyers Funny Enough for To-day. The New York Herald has been collecting legal anecdotes from the leading lawyers of that city' many of whict are very bright and funny. The following are a few of them: Many of the good, old-fashioned legal anecdotes that have seen hard service in their day and have been honorably retired long since are great favorites of mine, said Mr. Hummel. While they possess the rich fiavor oi ages for me, I have found as a general fcing that they were new to my audiences, particularly to the more youthful element. One of the best of these old? time stories relates to a lawyer io whose hands was placed a claim for collection. He agreed to undertake the work on a contingent fee—viz., a retention of half the amount he would succeed in collecting. He promised to act vigorously, but weeks passed and the client heard nothing. He finally wrote to inquire what had been done in the matter. By the return mail he received this reply: “1 have already got rny half of the claim. If you will wait a few months I may be able to “secure your half.” This brings to my mind another an--ecdote, relating to-a-fee. A yomia man visits the office of an attorney and gives Lim a claim of $lO6 io collect. “Your name ?” asks the disciple of Blackstone. “Elijah Simpson,” is the reply. “Not the son of my old friend Lige Simpson 2 Yes ? Well, ' you don’t know how glad I am to meet my old’s friend’s son. Give me your hand,” : and he wrings the young man’s hand with the utmost effusion, adding, “1 hope you-will come and see me often. It will be a treat for me, I assure you, to have an opportunity of conversing with you about your father.” A week later and Elijah calls again. The lawyer rushes forward to greet him, seizes both hands and shakes them, repeating his good wishes over and over and expressing his great pleasure at having had it in his power to serve Lige’s son. “Then you have the money for me?” suggests Simpson. “Certainly, certainly. Here it is,” and ho hands an envelope carefully sealed to the young fellow, who tears it open and finds five $5 bills. “Where's the rest?” asks Elijah. “Oh, my my fee is $81,” is the replyc ‘ .. .. -. ■ As Simpson edges toward the door, he says to his father’s friend: “1 I guess I’m lucky to get $25. I’m awfully glad you didn’t know my grandfather.”