Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-02-14
Sold at a High Price.

| MS own sex, you uuuefSldnu.5 Delort
a jury, for instance, John vas as bold
as lion, and there was no lawyer i'll
Brickton who had grown into so wide
and profitable a practice in so short a
time. He deserved his success, fol
he was industrious, energetic, talent
ed, and-what many successful law
yers are not-conscientious. He re
fused to conduct cause in whose
justice he did not thoroughly believe.
This was drawback, in the earlier
part of his career, but it the "long
run" he found himself leading the
race among his competitors. He
was greatly respected by that portion
of the community whose respect was
most to be priced.
But his bashfulness among ladies
was so profound that tn Iohn it woe
absolutely painful. He had a good,
loving heart, and great admiration
for the sex before whose members he
was so ill at ease. 1t is generally so
with bashful men, | believe.
John was full thirty years of
age, and a bachelor. Unhappy state
of affairs, indeed! But how to mend
it? John had not the faintest idea
how to mend it. Entre nous, | think
he had very nearly given up all hope
of ever mending it. Yet he often
sighed as he thought of the future
of a long, dreary bachelor life-no
dear wife to share his joys and sor-
rows-no happy home circle to make
his heart glad when he should come
from his labOrs at the close OF the
day. Heigho! The Fates seemed
to have shut him out from Paradise!
Among those who had sought John
IIamline's valuable aid in the law,
was gay young fellow about town,
who had the reputation of being
practical joker. One Of his practical
jokes having got him into bad
5crape, which was no joke, he found
hat uamline would not help him out
If it.
its your own fault, Hawes, and
you deserve to be punished said
John, iu his blunt way. "Your love
IF those silly practical jokes will get
you into more serious trouble than
his, some day, if you're not careful.
Fake my advice and drop all that non
sense. It's sound advice, and | don't
charge you anything for it. hope
This affair will teach you good les
son"
Young Hawes thought this was
very hard OF Hamliue. Aud as for
taking his adylce-thlS Is the way he
took it,
"Tll get even with him some day" +"
he said to one of his cronieS "Con-
found him and his preaching. He's
smart, but I'll get him on the hip
before he's year older, or I'm min
lSterw
Bringing his capacious intellect to
r bear upon this great purpose, Hawes
finally saw his opportunity.
"l'll kill two birds with one stone,
he chuckled.
Mrs. Rich-a wealthy widow in
= Brickton-had also won the animoSi-
d ty Of this joker. Mrs. Rich had a
beautiful daughter whom Hawes want
ed to marry-partly for herself, but
L more particularly on account Of her
prospective wealth. But Helen re-
jected Mr.. Hawes one fine day, and
Alr. Hawes-whose faith in his own
: irresi3tibility was entirely too strong
70 be shaken-could account for the
rejection in no other way than by con
Guiding that the mother had opposed
his suit. And so she had, though il
was unnecessary. as Helen had q
). cordial contempt for the young man.
', Mrs. Rich, therefore, was the bird
that Mr.. Hawes contemplated Staying
with the same stone that should de
moliSh John Hamline.
A And this was the way he set about
{ it:
;, With the aid Of his crony already
alluded to, he prepared a certain pa
:, per, running as follows, and writer
IN delicate lady-like hand:
Mrs. Rich respectfully requests
that Mr.. Hamline will call upon her
;, at his earliest convenience, to consul
n upon matter involving the interest.
Of her daughter, Miss Helen Rich
Thursday evening is preferred.
This was dispatched to Hamline'
u. address through the village pos
= flee. At the same time another
il note was prepared and dispatched
eading thus:
"Mr. John Hamline begs leave tt
.nform Mrs. Rich that he Will ca
Ipon her on Thursday evening, tt
.nusult her upon certain matters tina
he nave come to his knowledge intimate
IL y concerning the interests Of Mis-
no Helen Rich"
"It'll be splendid sell r the cron
D. declared, and the jokers were in mig
+, 5lee.
IS So the letter went through the pos
Or ,tfice.
John Hamiine scratched his hea
- refiectively for moment as he rea
rks The missive addressed to him, an
no hen turned to other business with th
remark
Il wonder what its about. wis
!, these women wond do business as me
- do, when they want lawyer; but i
| idle to expect that, suppose. ~ q. p.
- Mrs. Rich read the note she recel'
,gs' ed with some surprise, and natur
ID, feeling Of feminine curiosity; an
but KNOWING Mr. Homiina'S biuh Standir