In all cases of contested trials, where an appearance has been entered by an attorney in behalf of the opposite party, the prevailing party, if he be the plaintiff and was represented by a regularly licensed attorney, shall be entitled to tax the sum of $10.00 in case of rendition of a judgment of $300.00 or under, $15.00 in the case of rendition of a judgment of over $300.00 but not more than $500.00, and $25.00 in case of rendition of a judgment of over $500.00; and if the defendant is the prevailing party, he shall be entitled to tax the sum of $10.00 in case the plaintiff sought in his pleadings to recover a judgment of $300.00 or less, $15.00 in case the plaintiff sought in his pleadings to recover a judgment of over $300.00 but not more than $500.00, and $25.00 if the plaintiff in his pleadings sought to recover a judgment of over $500.00, as an attorney fee.