Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-25

OTTUMWA, IOWA, OCTOBER 25, 1850.

every Saturday and you shall have a
pound" He was profuse in thanks, o
course, as all such men are as long as
distress lasts.
| had previously learned that my rag
ged clients wife was in England, living
in a splendid house in Hyde Park Gar
dens, under her maiden name. On the
following day the Earl of Owing called
upon me, wanting 500 pounds By five
o'clock the same evening. II was. a
case of life or death with him. so made
my terms, aud took advantage of his
pressure to execute coup de main.
proposed that he should drive me home
to receive the money, calling at Mrs.
Molinos in Hyde Park Gardens, on our
way. knew that the coronet and liz.
cries of his father. the mrquis, would
ensure me an audience with Mrs. Moli-
nos Fiiz-Roy.
My scheme answered. | was intro
duced into the lady's presence. She
was, and probably is. very stately,
handsome woman, with pale complex
ion, high solid forehead, regular features,
thin, pinched, self-saiislied mouth. My
interview was very short. plunged in :
to the middle of the affair, but had
scarcely mentioned the word husband,
when she interrupted me with, 81 pre-
sumo you have lent this profligate person
money, and want me to pay you" She
paused, and then said, "Iie shall not
have farthiDg." AS she spoke, her
white face became scarlet.
"But, madam, the man is starving.
have strong reasons for believing he is
entitled TO property, and if you refuse
any assistance, must take other meas
ures." She rang the bell, wrote some
thing rapidly on card; and as The foot
man appeared. pushed it towards me
across the table, with the air of touching
a toad, saying, "There, sir, is the ad-
dress of my solicitors; apply to them if
you have any claim. Robert, show the
person out, and take care that he is not
admitted again."
So far had effected nothing, and to
tell the truth, fell rather crest-fallen under
the influence of that grand manner pe-
culiar TO certain great ladies; and to all
great actresses.
My next visit was 10 the attorneys S,
Messrs. Leasem and Fashun, of Lin
coins Inn Square, and there | was at
home. | had had dealings with the
firm before. They are agents for half
the arisiocracy, who always run in
crowds like sheep, after the same wine
merchants, the same architects, the same
horse dealers, and the same law agents.
Ii may be doubted whether the quality
Of law and land management they get on
this principle is quite equal to their wine
and horses. AT any rate, my friends OF
I.incoln's Inn. like others of the same
class, are distinguished by their courte-
Gus manners, deliberate proceedings, in
nocence of legal technicalilies, long cred
1t, and heavy charges. Leasem, the ell
der partner, wears powder and a huge
bunch of seals, lives in Queen-square.
drives brougham, gives the dinners and
does the cordial department. He is as
strict IN performing the latter duty, that
he once addressed poacher who had
shot ducks keeper. as "my dear crea-
ture," although he afterwards hung him.
Fashun has chambers in st. James
street, drives cab, wears tip. and does
the grand haha style.
My business lay with Leasem. The
interviews and letters passing were nu-
mcrous. However, j, came al last to the
following dialogue:
''Well, my dear Mr.. Discount" be-
gan Mr.. Leasem, who hates me like
poison. "l'm really very sorry for that
poor der Molinos-knew his father well;
great man, a perfect gentleman; bui
you know what women are, eh, Mr..
Discount! My client won't advance a
shilling; she knows il would only be
wasted in low dissipation. Now. don't
you think this was said very insnua-
tingly )-don't you think he had better
be sent to the work-house; very comfor-
table accommodations there, / can assure
you-meat twice week, and excellent
soup; and then, Mr.. d., we might con-
slider about allowing you something for
that bill.'
"Mr. Leasem, can you reconcile It TO
your conscience to make such an arrange
ment! Here's wife rolling in luxury,
and husband starving!"
"No, Mr.. Discount, not starving;
there is the workhouse, as observed be-
fore; besides, allow me to suggest tina.
these appeals TO feeling are quite unpro-
fessional-quite unprofessional."
"But, Mr.. Leasem, touching this prop
erty which the poor man is entitled TO"
.Why, there again, Mr.. D., you must
excuse me; you really must. | don't
say he is; ] don't say he is not. II you
know he is entitled TO property, am
sure you know how to proceed; the law
is open to you. Mr.. Discount-the law
is open; and a man Of your talent will
know how to use il.
"rhen, Mr.. Leasem, you mean that !
must, in order to right this starving man,
file bill Of discovery, TO extract from
you the particulars of his rights. You
have the marriage settlement, and all the
information, and you decline to allow a