The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1865-02-16
Lawyer Crumstone
OR
WEEDS BEFORE WID0WH0oD.

About thirty yea, ago, in one Of the principal
streets in nounshng sespor, town, thcrc Lived an
honest, thriving lawyer "Adectives" Observed
the late Mr. Indy Murray, express ihc qu,hty
of noun !" and, in using tie above terms with re-
ference 70 the attorney in question, am adhe--
ing strictly 10 the truth however contradictory sy
may spresr. Thriving be certainly was. for Ia
those days there we're but three members n the le.
gal profession in p, and you will he no less
certain Of his honesty when | tell you that evan
his two rivals spoke well Of him. well, be va
sitting day dry and unintert ting brefin
hsiron, oice, while his red hatred clerk NJ soper,
was employed In an adjoining room, copying 81 |
ssntio indonture, which looked Ikea letter rom
Brobdignsg. The afternoon WAS no, aud dusty. /
M. Crumstone bad lunched hbou, an hour ago and
an oder II brown sherry and ham-sAndwltchcs 81.
fused Itself over the room, and blended strangely
With that unusual aroma of sour ink, snd meltnd
'eshns-wsI which chiefly prevails in = solicitors
Office. Lazy tlue-boteS attracted by the renn Ants
Of she reps', buAzed impertuenily through the or>n
window, and lowered round the chair and bald PAT,
OF the attorney, who from time N time, made fec
bio and incsoluic stacks upon them with paper
knife
Mr.. Cruustoue looked a. his watch {, no,
yet three O'Clock never In the course Of hs Legal
experience hsd an afternoon passed so slowly. II,
booked out q scratch in the officially frosted win
dow pane. Never had he wished SO much for soma
unexpected incden, 10 break the menosony OF rou-
tine lie glanced to~n again as his papers Mover
had the word "trof' appeared 70 him such >. crun,
rnisnomcr.
Suddenly the distant chatter u horse, troi arcis
up n his car, followed by the roll Of wheels M
Crumstoue sisi Cd
"Ah," thought hc. "another excursion into ths
country! Evcrvhody is sway now, way cAn't en-.
JOY mysclY Why am not this moment Ike rity-
rus.
$780, RscubAns rub fe,,-no-teg, nine "a r."
instead Of si,tne in this dusty, fusiy ofhce' Con.
f1u-d this hr.e "
Tic stoppol short and listened. While IN, had
been indulyng IN the Above sol loquy the ha, kncv
cosch tttero were no cabs In III lse DAYS, hAd
rolled nearer and nearer. and a, last drew up eior.
the ONCE door. Mr. Crumstouc had Just cir ne =,
warn his clerk who, In consideration = the heat,
had Invested himself # Eis swallov-taei ccs and
was sitting IN his shirtslecvcs!, when the drtv Ct u
tie vehicle dismouaied, mud, opening the chrrass
door, helped out q ladv attrcl In deep mourning,
with thi,s Grape veil over her features. M SO.
per ruBa 50 TO meet her. A'tcr short fparley IL
the pass he entered the front office with vocu'
sr oppression on his sharp, fcrr't-like features.
"Whni Ia 1t, slopcrf" said the attorney.
"C,ut quite mske out, sir said the clerk. "hvs-
torious cuse-decp yrof-gsntss private interview,
ur--must see Mr. Crumssone Immediately, str SO
| ssys."
| well but give me an idea Of the sort Of lhins,'
said the ,ttorncy. "Is breach case, dye ,hinki'
NJ. Soper shook his head knowingly.
| "Or, IorhRrS" slgcstel the lttrncy, With
| knowing wink, "a separation"
| Hardly, sir, think. She's in wecds."
At this iuncture an iupssiont snhtnlng moyeuen,
| was heard outside.
well show her in" said Mr. Crums,o-e
| The CLERK had turned round 10 do N, when The
| door opened and the lady herself appeared M.
| Crlmstone ROSE and bowed. Tho clerk placed .
| CHAIR for her and then retired.
| Permit me, madam" began Mr Crumstone,
| But he was interrupted by convulsve sohs. God
| bless mel" said the good att ruey, approaching he
| now client who had ny this time Raced her veil
| and dscosed . countenlnce " which some hfty
years summers had lent their charms, now sufus.
| ed With tears: God bless me bad no ides that
| dear me-herel sloper, bring IN the brown sherry.
PRAY, pray compose yonseli' my dear ma1am."
"Oh, SIR, CALCULATED the lady; oh, sir, -
Here her feelings again overcsme her, and she sans
| back hystercaly In her chair
| Pray take glass Of this madam" .ud NJ,
Cruu stone, pouring ont some NJ the Identical
which hsd Just quslihed his Luncheon "You will
| md tia frat rate cordial; let me enTeat you. nv
dear madam N calm your feeling, and, II poss0ls
| r., to take a biscuit"
The lady raised the sherry TO her lips who'd her
mouth, dried her eyes looked gratefully 81 the Al.
| tornev, snd then proceeded;
| Oh, SIR you behold one n iho most ineioInd
| women"
"Eh | hog your pardon. ms'an," broke in ths
| attorney, did you"
MoN miserable, | meant 10 say, Il you viii a..
| low me; prefer the expression" said the lady.
| Certainly, rlA'sun," said MIR. Crtrms tone, man.
tally making note Of the correction.
You remember, SIR, poor Capt-Cspt-Capal
HAlyard, who died Al the dock yard laet we ~
Perfectly WE'LL mA'Am; and very cst!msbls
person and gallant officer ho Died after .
short illness, universally beloved and re-re'tod. =
| pursued the attorney, drawing largely from ire
recent euo sistc notice Of tho deceased Captain in
th, P--Obseryer.
| "Oh, my dear sir" said the lady, with fresh
burst Of tears: " II his friends regret him mnch
judge what must be the feelings OF his popoor dts
trs1ted wife!
His wife, na'am," cried tie attorney. why,
my good lady, he never hsl any. lie lived and
died bachelor he
"Oh, | thought you would say So" rcjoined his
visitor 50 everybody says, that's the mo 81 ms
cradle part Of II; 80 cry body thinks, and no won
der, To, considering ths. he never acknowledged
mo"
"You, mA'sm," said Criilstonc, aghast Why
| You don't mean ~ tel me that-sIop" IL flashed
across lin the womsu WAS Insane. lie had pecu
liar dread Of unaucs. suppose she were to stack
horrible thought He was Just about I" summon
Liscetk, under preeuoe OF senuug for more sh'rry'
when lis afflicted client said:
Well sir, II you can't take tho word OF poor,
injured widow, perhaps this will convince you.'
And she drew from her reticule dirty dog ear
ell piece OF paper and gave it 70 the attorney
| " STAY" said he, hastily gancing a. u; - 10
YOU mean TO say that the Mr.. Plumiroee, who sign.
ed this, is tho present rector Of 81 hAry'sN'
| "rhe very same, sir
And you think 10 will confirm tho eerta.
ca6S'
Assure asI dt here, sir"
THIS lie most extraordinary case" said the
I al. No. 81 HsFl 49,.