Stories Of The Bar

-'ruw tbc Boston Adverllser. Perhaps they may recall the true anecdote of the old Boston lawyer who ilvvays returned to his uflice in Scolay's Building after au early tea, and remained till 11. working by the, light of three tallow candles, one of which was stuck conspicuously in hi3 window overlooking the square, that its aeam micht announce to any belated dienta that he was stiU at hia post. While -working late one evening ho was surpriacd by the hurried entrance of OTie of the mosi successful and respected mercbanta of the town, who seemed very nervous and breathles3. "Ah! ," "said he, sinking into a chair, "you don't know how relieved [ fee! tó flnd you here. We liad private advices, late this afternoon, that one of our heavieat creditors Is going to suspend tomorrow morning. I bave been se.ircüing rngn ana ïow ror a lawyer to get.on the tirstattaehment (under the old law), and I had about coin3 to the conclusión that 1 must wait my chance till to-morrow; but you can make out the writ at once." This was done, and f rom tkat moment had all tlie old merchant'3 law business, and this fact soon brought hirn into prominence and fortune. Or they may have been struck with a happy experience of another old Boston lawyer (who te said to have entered more cases for trial than any one before or since hia time), who invariably arrived at his office by half-past saven in the morning, and who on one occasion waa callea upon at mat nour by the lateA.T. Stewart, of New Yoik, who told him that ho had coiné to Boáton to transact sonie law business, and had brought an introduction to three Boston lawyers; and as the otber two wei e not to be found, and as the matter needed im medíate attention, he ahould bo plcased if Mr. would take it in hand. ïhia wa3 done, and Mr. Stewart remained 's cliënt until bis death. But such wiudfalls are rare, aud are eertalnly the exception. The writer was conversing on this subject not long ago with a successful and very observant ïnember of the profession, and the following questions were asked and answered : :How many lawyers in Boston make $20,000 a year f rom their practice ?" "You can count them on the fiugers of one hand." "And how many makeSlO.OOO?" "Not a dozen." "How many make 13 much as $5,000 T' "Perhaps a quarter of the active bar." "How much do the othersmakeV" "'A good many piek up $1.500 to $2,000, many work at other thinga to help support them. Some Uve irom nana to mouiu, mu sume neavly starve." AVhat becomes of all the young lawyers who get admitted every monthV" "A few who have fathers or relat ive3 already prominent in the prófession go in with them, and flnd enoiigh to do. A good many, by slow degrees, build up a fair practico for themselves. Some keep an office for a few years and do nothing, and then drift into some other occupation. Some go West, and some go to-the devil." A learned Boston lawyer, who has ünislied his course, was one evening riding to his home in a public conveyance, accompanied by a friend. Opposite them sat a decent workingman who was also homewari bound after hi3 daily toil. The latter bowed to the lawyer respectfully, but he only stared coldly In response. "Why," said the lawyer'3 companion to the attorney, "that man is a cliënt of youra!" "What of it?" replied the lawyer, "I do not con3ider that I am hountl, alter office bours, to notice familiarly every man who has consulted me." ' He certainly was not; but the public soon found out nis peculiar ity, and did not troublehitn often with their affairá.