The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-06

soul '"
"Divinest, they are thine exclaimed
embracing her-enough Of this-that day
was the happiest of my life. The next
came-and horror of horrors. fornd that
brenthing, glowing, lovc-warmed form of
yesterday, cold mass of lifeless clay. She
had boated on the Sound that morning, was
upset and drowned Ger assistance could be
rendered! Life then seemed TO lose all its
charms. In intense mental application
found the sweetest relief from distressing
memories, and devoted every moment TO
lace in the pursuit of ambition" said, and
toled on. To become the most disguish-
ed lawyer in the country was at last my
sole desire. rose rapidly. Clients poured
in upon me, and my name was widely known
One day most important case, a case in
voiving millions in which 1 was engaged
was argued.
The opposing counsel, n stranger in the
city, seemed intutively to know my argu-
ments, for he, in his opening speech alluded
to my probable plea and demolished, one by
one, all the points which it had cost me
weeks of labor to hunt out and strepthen.
What should do! had no arguments,
was struck dumb Pleading sudden at
tack of vertigo, obtained days respite
and then pored over my books in the hope
of fnding some loopbole of escape. But
no, not n chance remained; and at midnight
wcaried and mortified, WAS pacing nv Ii.
brary retiecting on my situation. All nv
reputation faded away in n moment! for
could not find even quibble by which to
better my cause. was nearly distracted.
| opened the door 10 obtain more air. for
was suifocated. and rs did so. the lawyer
who had opposed me that day came up My
first thought was to murder him.
Good evening" he said, "may have
little conversation with your"
--,lISaslks ih,~ / replied, as -eeoIly rs could
lie entered. -.......
"i"u will think il strange" said he, 'but
having heard that you sold ten years ofyour
life for success while at college, wish to
ask you il you would like to part with any
more on good terms"
"Insolent" said ] "how did You know
anything of this"
Ne" he replied, Il do not mean TO be
insolent; but heard that you told Of it and
that the old man to whom you gave it, did
live exactly ten years from that night. SO,
being somewhat suparstitous, and fearing
death every day, (here he grinncd CHASTITY
smile) from disease which Is consuming
me, have determined to try you-that is all
sir"
II instantly occurred to me, that might
by working on his creduity obtain the clue
to the answering of his arguments on the
case in which were engaged, and replied
to him, in n most serious, even solemn man.
ncr.
"Sir, We should not trle on such topics
the contract made with the doctor you men.
toned was paid for most hberally."
81 will pay you anything for it," cried he,
''only name what you expect"
"You delvercda a speech against me today
only give the points to refutc il, and the
ten years are yours"
"rhat would weaken my reputation MS a
lawyer" said he; but consent, anything
for lifc.'
Whereupon he sat down with me, and
e'er dawn was his superior. The next day
in the crowded court | hurled my answer,
to his speech, tore its best arguments to pie
ces, and gained a complete victory. Time
rolled on, my name was the proudest at
the bar, and nothing now rem lined TO com
pete my ambition but wealth, boupdIess
wealth! If | had thtt, Qhough already
was possessed Of a large fortune,) il | had
unlimited means, I thought, may reach any
height 81 that time ~'as conducting
case for widow, which IL gained would en-
sure her over ten mill ons Of doll and more
than that, her hand. But though exerted
every faculty, rs yet had not not been able
to make out clear case in her favor The
trial was near at hand and my mind was
wrought 10 its utmost tension. All in vain,
however. for could not strengthen myself
rs wished.
The week before the trial ] received let
ter from Niagara Falls, sealed with large
seal Opening IL, found that II was re-
quest from the lawyer to whom had sold
ten years Of my life, for ten years additional,
promising at the same time that he would
give for them some evidence which would
establish the widows claims in the great
case on which he had heard was engaged,
and asking for an account Of the previous
occasion, as he had not been believed in tell
ing the story. was ove1oyed at his sim
pllcity, and Immediately wrote to him, Civ
ing an account of tho college bargain, the
scene at HelIgate and his agreements, sign
ed the letter, and posted II On the day Of
the trial, ] obtained postpopement and
three days after, the lawyer came into my
Office with bundle of papers: