The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-26
The Unsigned Receipt.

among the young men who had read law un.
der my direction, one whose name was Edward
Marsh. He was quite clever and assiduous
His father had been a client Of mine fo,
many years. and, previous to his dissolvency
very profitable one. From regard for him
and In consideration of his altered circum
stances, refused to take the accustomed fee
for directing his sons studies. Young Marsf
is now practicing law in one of our Western
states, where he is quite distinguished.
am told that they talk Of him for judgeship
although ne has been but four years at the
bar. He has ability, doubtless; and learn
ing, probably; but at the outset of my lega
career they did not place boys on the bench
The profession is going to the dogs, and the
Judiciary along with it.
However, did not commence an ESSAY on
the bench and bar. intended to tell a sto
ry in which this young Marsh figured little
but not so prominently as others.
| came into the case in this way. l had
been engaged in court all day in a very ia
:iguing suit, and merely visited my office tc
obtain some papers that wished to examine
at home at my leisure. While | was at m,
secretary there came tap at my door and
on bidding the intruder enter, Marsh came
in.
beg your pardon, sir said he, but
would like to have little conversation with
you.'
Very well. Go on
L wish, as favor to me, you would un.
dertake that case of Evans
l do not wish to ; | have declined already
How will it serve you?'
Why, you see, sir, and Kitty-that is,
Kitty and l.
He paused, in embarrassment, and turn
ed in some surprise.
Pray, who is Kitty, Mr.. Marsh p
Miss Kitty Evans
On, see,' / rejoined, laughing. kitty
is our daughter, and you want me to take up
the case Of the father-in-law elect
Why, you see, sir, the rest of the bar
share your aversion to the case and he pre-
fers you, at any rate. If you would take it
up at my instance it would be of service t.
me-
Under the circumstances | reconsidered
my refusal, and told Marsh to send kitty's
father to me on the following DAY. The loy.
er departed in high spirits.
This Evans was real-estate agent and
rent collector, who had acquired some mon
ey by his profession. He was indefatisabe
in dunning delinquent tenants, and sufficient
ly prompt in paying over the proceeds, SC
that he had number Of patrons. But he
had not the best reputation along with this
lie was regarded as rather slippery fellow
The little intercourse | had had with hin
satisfied me he was not desirable client
the impression on my mind was adverse te
his fairness and honesty, and l Stunned him
The particular case in which he desired
my services were as follows:
Among the patrons of Evans had, beer g
wealthy man named Clarence Preston. The
collections made for him during one quarter
had amounted to eighteen hundred and TWEEN
ty dollars, which had been paid over, less the
five per cent, commission, in the presence o
Prestons attorney Evans took receipt
but went away leaving it on his patrons Ia
ble. He called to get it the next morning
but was astounded to learn that Mr.. Preston
mad been attacked by apoplexy about twt
hours after he had left the house and died a
midnight. Mr.. Van Buren, the attorney
had placed his seal on all the papers Of tn
deceased. When the executor took chars
Evans renewed his application for the receipt
! MIR. Schermerhorn, the executor, made searcl
accordingly, and found paper partly an
swering Evans description, but differing il
one important particular. 1t recited and ac
knowledged the payment Of seventeen hun
dred and twenty-nne dollars; but it wa
without signature. Evans then went +
the attorney as witness, but to his conster
nation, the latter denied that any money hat
been paid, or receipt given therefor, in hi
presence. The executor, under these cir
cumstances, brought suit to recover tn
rents collected, and claimed eighteen hun
dred and sixty-fve dollars as due to tn
estate.
When Evans called on me, according t
appointment, questioned him closely.
Are you sure asked, that the receiE
had been signed when you left:9'
Positively. There was no blotting-pape
and | let it lie for few minutes on the tabl
to dry, ard that is how l came, engrosse
with the conversation We had, to forget it.
! Did Mr.. Schermerhorn show you the W
signed receipt
Yes, i: was the same l had written.
: knew it by my own handwriting, and by
couple of specks in the paper, l had ne;
lected to bring my receipt-book with me, an
wrote the receipt on loose piece Of pap'
t lying on the table
J Might it not have been an unsigned d'
= plicate?'
: No; l only prepared one for Preston
, sign
. 'Were there any marks showing an era
n-a n{ the sipnafure %