A certain rich man in Springfield, Illinois, sued a poor attorney for
$2.50, and Lincoln was asked to prosecute the case. Lincoln urged the
creditor to let the matter drop, adding, “You can make nothing out of
him, and it will cost you a good deal more than the debt to bring suit.”
The creditor was still determined to have his way, and threatened
to seek some other attorney. Lincoln then said, “Well, if you are
determined that suit should be brought, I will bring it; but my charge
will be $10.”
The money was paid him, and peremptory orders were given that the suit
be brought that day. After the client’s departure Lincoln went out of
the office, returning in about an hour with an amused look on his face.
Asked what pleased him, he replied, “I brought suit against ----, and
then hunted him up, told him what I had done, handed him half of the
$10, and we went over to the squire’s office. He confessed judgment and
paid the bill.”
Lincoln added that he didn’t see any other way to make things
satisfactory for his client as well as the other.