mencing with Freemasons in the lead and running through Odd Fellows, and so on to the end, will be suggested by some sage friend to the young, enterprising practitioner as a means of securing a complement of friends with whom the fraternal relations he establishes will likely materialize when occasion arises. So that his merits, which appeal to these friends, will be offered opportunities for testing in a decidedly practical manner and with gratifying substantial results. Society judicially cultivated by one willing to devote the time and strength needful will be suggested as affording to him who can discriminate fruitful fields. The clubs furnish a desirable means of extending a valuable acquaintance, bearing in mind especially that the facility and success with which a lawyer's business is transacted greatly depends upon his relations in the business world with those through whom such is transacted. Fortunate is the young practitioner who establishes a friendly footing with some corporation, especially one engaged in financial transactions and passing upon credits, for in the exigencies of business pursuits the need of financial aid will not only develop extraordinary conditions affecting one who seeks it, but complications will subsequently arise, in all of which instances the lawyer's talent will be exercised in elucidating the transaction.

One is not amiss in assiduously cultivating the goodwill of all the court officials and deputies with whom court duties bring one in touch, whatever the relative position of such officials--high or low-for here again, while the success of a transaction is greatly affected by the mental attitude of the officials through whom the business must be conducted, it is not to be forgotten that a word fitly spoken can often influence in a favored one's way matters of great consequence, and that the vast number with whom such officials come in contact, whether in official or social capacities, to every one he is distinctly a person known to have to do with legal matters and with lawyers..

A gentleman now retired on a judicial pension equal to his former salary was a judge of distinction and previ

'ously a lawyer of eminence. He had achieved as great results as a strictly professional life usually aspires to.. His success was traceable to a simple formula he had conceived on his start in life, namely, to form the acquaintance of at least three persons every day. This was not difficult until his circle of eligible acquaintances became so extensive that he was regarded as a political possibility, with the result, however, that as his aim was invariably professional advancement, his political affiliations ultimately secured him his judicial position.

The chances are decidedly that the first employment to a lawyer will be the collection of a debt, usually a pretty bad debt. This matter, handled properly, can often be turned to effective advantage. A lawyer's perfect fealty to this work is the surest way to success. Ordinary dunning for a debt can be indulged in by a hackneyed collector, but the scientific treatment of an astute lawyer is needed to induce the debtor to eagerly desire to pay what previously no ordinary coercion could extract from him. A minute examination of every detail in reference to the debtor from the date of contracting the debt can only secure this. His business, his dealings in reference to his property disclosed by the records or otherwise, his methods of life, relations toward others, past or present, in property examinations-and, above all, a correct interpretation of the meaning, often hidden, of what is discovered and a judicious and effective handling of the situation will not only often secure the result, but in it also a remuneration very far in excess of the amount involved. A claim of a few hundred dollars may bring several times that amount in fees, at the same time securing a most advantageous result for one's client; of course, this will usually be through the discovery and legal elucidation of some fund, estate or property against which your client's claim, with others, can be charged.

The most modest and unassuming claim will often lead to momentous legal results, as the following incident, among a host of others, will illustrate. A marketman was given, in the absence of something more pleasing,

the written promise of an impecunious customer to pay a long-overdue account out of the share of an estate in the process of settlement in the court. This written promise, after long and fruitless waiting, was turned over to counsel for attention. Investigation of the court case disclosed a decree of sale of the real estate many years before, and thereupon a cessation of further procedure. The trustees had lost the incentive of a commission, for one of them had become judge and the other clerk of the court. The parties in interest were entirely complacent, for the shares of most of them were fully pledged for their debts, and in the meantime until the sale they had the welcome enjoyment of the income. A creditor of one of the impecunious parties was a trust estate represented by an old practitioner of the Baltimore bar, who at the time in question, although quite advanced in years, was still very active, among his valuable clientage being the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, for which corporation he was chief counsel. The marketman's attorney visited the older lawyer to hear more of the case, and that liberal and large-hearted gentleman, with great earnestness, encouraged the young lawyer's efforts by saying that this was the very case for an energetic and attentive young lawyer, and suggested that he insist on the execution of the decree, saying he would add a fee for the services in this respect that would accrue to his client. He added to the pleasure of the interview by recounting the various members of the bar who had been trained under his guidance, saying that he had impressed upon each the need of always constantly observing the five "Ps," which stood, he said, for Probity, Perseverance, Precision, Promptness and Politeness, and terminating the interview with the exceedingly flattering suggestion that he observed in the young man the possession of his five "Ps."

The prosecution of this case resulted in the judge resigning as trustee in favor of the young attorney, and thereupon ensued litigation over the validity of the decree, the jurisdiction of the court having been changed in the meantime by legislative act, necessitating a ruling of the

Appellate Court, with the result that services of counsel, which had started with the collection of a small claim, were rewarded with fees far in excess of the wildest expectations.

One of the most resourceful ways of enjoying a law practice is to have facilities for loaning money on mortgage, either by representing an individual or corporation who make such loans.

In addition to the fees for the mortgage papers and the examination of title, there often arises in connection with the loan complications which require the services of a lawyer. But above all is the examination of title prolific of troubles apt to require a lawyer's aid to straighten. Very nearly any title examined with great technical care will develop irregularities of a character many of which are sufficiently serious to require to be corrected, and as will almost always fall to the lot of the examining lawyer to take the necessary steps therefor.

If an examination is required by an estate the chances are heavily increased of finding trouble, with the additional chances of discovering that the interest was in some respects different from what was supposed, or affected by conditions or circumstances not previously known and which when disclosed to the outside party by the examiner will almost invariably secure a grateful memory for the diligence and astuteness of such examiner to his great profit in very likely the near future. Nothing more quickly brings a client within the sympathetic touch of counsel than information of an interest a little more advantageous than previously conceived, either as to amount, time of enjoyment or conditions of such. To illustrate would likely cause suggestions that the instances cited were peculiar and rare. It needs to be surmised, however, that such may be said of the myriads of law cases daily arising. Each one has its own peculiar facts requiring application of its own peculiar legal principles. A few examples may be more acceptable. In 1886 a man died, leaving a considerable amount of real and personal property in Baltimore. He was the only child of a French

physician who had settled there early in the century and had there married. The relations on the mother's side appropriated this property and commenced a proceeding in court to sell it and divide the proceeds among themselves. Attention was required by a matter in connection with this case. Afterward in reflecting over the proceedings, an examination of which had been necessary, it was recalled that two of these relatives had testified that the family of the deceased on the father's side was extinct and that he had frequently been heard to say so. This statement, couched in this language, was so unnecessary to reinforce their claim that it was calculated to excite the belief they were apprehensive, for very few can cite an actual instance where one whose parentage was known was without at least some relatives more remote. If there were any relatives on the father's side they took the real property to the exclusion of those who were claiming it. A thorough investigation and inquiry developed such relatives in France, and upon the necessary proof they received the estate. The point in the above was the impression on the lawyer made by the testimony, suggesting its character as being fictitious and inducing an investigation as to its

accuracy.

This case involved a principle of legal ethics-that which prohibits solicitation of particular individuals to become clients. In a large community the litigious possess usually neither great wealth nor great learning; people in these two classes generally either avoid strife, or if involuntarily involved manage to secure amiable adjustment.

The exceedingly few that, notwithstanding, become involved in the meshes of law retain counsel connected by family ties or kindred, or in questions of great moment seek the aid of one who has attained eminence that comes alone from experience and age as well as learning and capacity. The litigious are ordinarily those who need counsel, because unable or unwilling to arrange their matters without the aid of such. This latter class will generally assign to all lawyers equal merit and will exercise slight dis