Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/490

 Professional Remuneration. of penetration and understanding. Soon after the arrival of the colonists he became involved in a controversy over the title to some land worth about five hundred dollars; and learning that a Yankee lawyer had just arrived with the settlers, he drove over to see him, and engaged his services in the case. The young lawyer proceeded to familiarize himself with the forms of practice employed in the State of his adoption, and then spent three or four days in investigation of the facts. It was difficult to elicit information from the witnesses, as they were deficient in perception and intelligence; but he gleaned enough to convince him that there was some chance for a verdict. On the morning as signed for the trial, the old farmer took him in his wagon to the court-house, which was about ten miles distant. They passed through a country distinguished by an agreeable dis tribution of forest and pasture, and in some cases presenting picturesque features which would have delighted the eye and done honor to the pen of Charles Egbert Craddock. The young lawyer had purposely neglected to ask a retainer, as he was a stranger and anxious to establish a reputation in the community; but the old man voluntarily broached the subject of remuneration as they drove on together. "We'll squar' accounts when it's all over, young man. I b'lieve in bein' lib'ral." The trial, which took place in a primitive tribunal, lasted a day and a half, and the manners and methods of the new-comer were subjected to the rigid scrutiny of a gaping crowd. His opponent was illiterate, abusive, and versed in that cunning and duplicity so characteristic of lawyers in remote commu nities. But the young man's persistent pro gression towards his objective point began to tell, and on the adjournment of the court late in the afternoon, it was the verdict of

447

the spectators that the Yankee lawyer was "right smart." On the second day the old litigant repeated the service of carrying the young lawyer to the legal battle-ground. The contest was re newed under auspices more favorable to our young friend, who by skilful cross-examina tion elicited valuable information relating to the bounds of the land in question. The case was given to the jury after the argu ments and a crude charge by an ignorant judge, and the result of the consultation was a verdict in favor of the old farmer. The crowd lingered to gaze at and converse with the successful lawyer, and their interest was intensified by the fact that for the first time in their lives they were in the presence of a Yankee. While our young friend was won dering what he ought to charge, he over heard a conversation between a perennial loafer and an ignorant-looking fellow who was just mounting a mule. "Waal, the young chap done well an' no mistake." "'Pears to me he done; but 'll cost old Egypt a right smart sum, you bet." "I 'spec' so. Young chap 'll want five dollars or mo'." The young hero's courage failed as he stepped into the wagon and was driven home. As the rude settlement came in sight, he said, — "I suppose, Mr. Egypt, that we had bet ter talk over the subject of compensation. You said you were disposed to be liberal, and I am sure that I am disposed to be reasonable." "Waal, yas," replied the old man, " you done well; but you see I 've got a little account ag'in you. You won the case; but you 've taken up two days of my time, and I driv you twice to the court and back; and s'pose we call it 'bout squar."