Gave His Opinion.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 67

Gave His Opinion.

There was an auction sale in the little house, and one after another the widow's few pos- : sessions fell beneath the hammer. Presently the auctioneer took up a large bowl which happened to be full of sugar, and the poor •woman, anxious to save its contents, hastened into the next room to find something in which to put them. Just as she returned the auctioneer cried, ■"Sold!" and the purchaser insisted that the sugar was his. The widow pleaded for the little that was much to her, but the man was obdurate, and murmurs of indignation arose from the crowd. .Angry at this demonstration, the man turned, and his eye rested on a local lawyer who was present. "Mr W ," said he, "you are a lawyer. Am I right or not? If you say I am not, I will give back the sugar ; if you say I am, I am entitled to it, and I'll keep it." " My friend," said the lawyer in his gentlest tone, "you put a delicate and unpleasant responsibility on me. Hadn't you better decide the matter for yourself?" " No," replied the fellow curtly. " I know what your opinion is going to be, and I want 3'ou to give it so that this whole crowd can hear it." " Then, ' said the other, " I advise you that the sugar is yours. The widow cannot take it from you. She has no redress." " Aha !" cried the man, turning to the spectators. '• What did I tell you?" "Stop!" thundered Mr W , whose manner at once changed. " I've advised you at your per.sistent request, as I can prove by these people. It remains for me to tell you that I charge you 6s 8d for my advice, and I demand immediate payment. If you trifle with me in the matter of payment you will ino.-t certainly regret it." The man turned ,«carlet, and, fumbling in his pocket, produced the amount. The crowd shouted its approval, but suddenly became

silent as the lawyer walked up to the widow and paid — " This money is mine. I've earned it honestly. Take it and buy more sugar for your children."'