, 1864-01-23

ble-don't be too difiident; but, as say to
you, throw your soul into il, and / will an
swer for it making your fortune. Here are
fifty guineas as retaining fee, and it is not
unlikely that my fair client tomorrow may
give you fifty more as refresher." st
Fifty guineas y I exclaimed involunta-
rily, and my eyes glanced upon the money,
| felt as though my fortune were already
made, and that / should be rich forever.
~ Coma, Rodariey n asid ~ tsdan,k think
about the retainer, but think Of the case
think Of getting another" - ~
"What is the case" inquired.
"That," replied he, "your brief, which
is as clearly and fully drawn up as if you
had done it yourself, will explain to you.
In the meantime, l may state that your
client, the defendant, is young lady Of
matchless beauty, great fortune and accom-
plishments. When you see her, you will
be inspired. She is the orphan daughter
and now the sole surviving child Of an officer
who had extensive dealings with house in
the city. Of late years the prosecutor was
his broker. Some time after the fathers
death, the prosecutor made oyertures Of mar
riage to the defendant, which she rejected.
He has now, stimulated by revenge, set up a
fictitious claim for twenty thousand pounds,
which he alleges her father owed to the
house Of which he is now at the head; and
for this claim he now drags my client into
court. Now, ! trust that we shall not only
be able to prove that the debt IS fictitious,
but to establish that the documents which
he holds, bearing the Colonel's signature,
are forgcries. 1t is a glorious case for you ;
here is your brief, and / shall call on you
again in the morning." fl5
took the brief from his hand, glanced
my eyes upon the back Of it, and read the
words" Taylor against Mortimer"
Taylor against Mortimer!" Iexclaimed,
starting from my seat; "what Taylor p
what Mortimer! Not Jessy-my Jessy !?
Not the villain, Esau ?-the supplanter-
tho" li At4 7is,' yaa
"Hold, holdg' said the solicitor, in sur
prise; "such are, indeed, the names Of the
parties; but, If you are in an ecstasy already,
l must take the brief to one who will read
it soberly." s5gr So 35 .0a s1 3
"NoW ! cried, grasping the brief in my
hand; stake back your fee; ! will plead
this cause for love-" !,
Keep the money-kecp the money"
said he, drily; "it will be of as much service
to you, in the meantime, as love. But let
me know the cause Of this enthusiasm"
! unboscmcd my soul to HIM. 4 = Z
Ibid not see Miss Mortimer until the day
Of trial, in the court; and, when 1 rose to
plead for her, she started--the word Rod
eric" escaped from her lips, and tears
gushed into her bright eyes. 1t was at the
same moment that Esau Taylor saw and
recognized me-his eyes quailed beneath
my gaze; his guilt gushed to his face. l
commenced my address TO the Jury-I drew
the picture Of fiend. Taylor trembled.
Every individual in the court was already
convinced Of his guilt He endeayored to
escape amidst the crowd. Icalled upon the
officers to seize him. 5,,. y4-,r..
l gained the cause, and with il, also, won
the hand of Jessy Mortimer, to obtain which
from boyhood l had persevered. Taylor
was committed to prison, to stand his trial
for the forgeries; but, before the day Of trial
came, he was buried within the prison walls,
with disgrace for his epitaph. o