Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-15

he farm management. The wlte, con-
,cious slattern, under her husbands i'll ex-
ample and depressing influence, withdrew
into some dark recess, yainly striving to
draw her children after her. But children
are not SO readily to be taught to hide
and Pettigrew had more than
q glimpse Of ragged and forlorn groupe,
who s0oulH want to see what the Squire
could possibly want with their father.
Martin produced the ever ready bottle,
and rather congratulated himself that, al
though be had paid more than one visit to
it that morning already, the duties of hos
pitality demanded that be should compel
himself to drink again. Itrequired no ef-
fort to pefsuade The lawyer % take his
dram it was drink at another's expense;
and until all drink should be furnished on
such terms, there was no danger of Petit
grew Pettifogg becoming Incorporate; nor,
indeed, even then, if he could perceive that
it interfered with his bargains or untitled
him for business
p Pettifogg, Esq, was decided oppo-
nent of all restrictive laws; he valued the
liberty of the citizen. He was averse to all
sumptuary regulations, and was the Sir Or
acle of the village bar.room on the uncon-
stitutionality of law which, once enacted
and obeyed, would abridge his practice and
defeat his grasping purposes. What chance,
for instance, if the nominal proprietors
were sober, could exist of Pettigrew getting
claim on Martin Meeker's farm ? And
there are many other farms in the same
case, many other pettifoggers who are lubri-
eating their victims with honeyed words
preparatory to swallowing them-estates
and all.
"A fine glass of brandy said the law
yer, smacking his lips. Now Martin knew
the lawyer lied, for he was good judge of
liquor and as the farmers city account
had long stood unadjusted, he was compell-
ed to content himself with second ordin-
airy from the country dealer. But Martin
said nothing, though he might have blush
ed, if his face had not already too deep
color. The lawyer proceeded 4 sup
pose you have made provision against con-
tingencies, for the fanatics are resolved that
{ a man shall no longer keep the key of his
own cellar .......
1t was theme on which the two were
congenial, or appeared to be so; and Mar
tin Meeker's heart SO softened toward the
attorney, that he even invited him to din
ner though this act of temerity incurred a
not very pleasant debate with his wife. He
} also recommended that the lawyer should
consent to be put in nomination for the
| legislature on the liberal ticket but Pet
, tigrew Pettifogg was too cunning for that.
He left to others the open opposition and
= the obloquy; his cue was quietly to take
9 the birds, while others should beat the bush.
| Having dined with his client, and saved
{; half dollar, Pettifogg made motions to
s depart He had taken his leave all round
and reached the door, attended by the fam
lily, children and all; he had drawn or
i one of his driving gloves and taken hiswhiI
e from the corner, when suddenly new
.e thought struck him.
d by the way, Martini he said, turning
d back into the house, had nearly forgot
lie ten my business What apositive lie tha
ir was
st Martin returned with him to the sittin
Id room, and looked aghast and disappointe
Ill as the lawyer produced his dropsical pocke
of book, and said, I'VE might as well loo
l., over our little affairs
to Il thought we had settled, Martin vel
Id tured to remark.
tie 90, that was a year ago. The worl
m, does not stand still-though for the sake
some good fellows, often wish it did
$ Time rolls round Martin-and | feel
to I'm not rich you know-but I sometim
i'd do wish for the honor of good FELLOWSHIP
en- that there was no such thing as money. :
But as said I'm not rich, and / have
i'd. look out for my own. I'm not going to
nd hard on an old friend. | only want to q
ne range things so that when am gone-al
led we don't know how soon we shall both 9
his Martin, things will be found straight /
ers tween your people and my people. Here
cir little instruments mere form, y
= know-which will save dispute, perhal
in and law and litigation. do detest al
len thing like that. Just read it, and tn
lit sign it. Never sign without reading, Nj
till tin. Never trust even friend too far.
in We're all poor weak creatures
the And so with flourish of magnanimi
- Pettifogg placed paper in Martins hal
ar The victim, whose senses were not a lit
DIV steeped in alcohol, blundered few n
Of merits among the interminable wildern
res. of whereases-and then caught up p,
tin Its all Greek to me, Pettifogg, but
as YOU say its all right, here goes ?
gbt He had executed with drunken flo
ZEN. ish, capital NJ, when suddenly, like o
inc er mems in those days of tricksy spirits
men,. few from his hand, and what was v
ker curious, caused an ink spatter on the ft
hod head of Pettifogg, very like the letter
of Both parties sprang to their feet IN asst
G in ishment. and confronted-no disembod
,ked spirit-but Mrs. Martin Meeker, who ic
With ed upon them not the least abashed,
ed proceeded further to tear into bits the
ran uments to which her husband had c
} the menced his signature. Perhaps she
not not quite understand its signihcanc
over though she did understand the characte
ected Pettifogg too well to trust any lnstrun
cd as of his preparation. 1t was confession
there judgement, which would have authoriz
how foreclosure on the instant of Its complet
t ex- High words followed. Now Ma
hrely Meeker had no great objection to doI
farm tic broil, but he would allow no third p
the privilege of abusing his wife. 7
n the was part of his marriage rights of W
alac- he claimed a monopoly-so Pettigrew
lough tifOgg, Esq, Counsellor and Attorne