South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-10
SOLD AT A HIGH PRICE.

you uHoerstano. before jury, Tor IN
stance, John was as bold a. lion, and
there was no Lawyer in Brickton who had
grown into so wide and profitable practice
In so short time. lie deserved his sue
cess, for be was Industrious, energetic, tai
ented, and--what many successful lawyers
are REPRESENTATIONS. Ho refused to
conduct a cause in whose justice be did not
thoroughly believe. This was draw back,
IN the earlier part of his career, bu, in the
long run be found himself leading the race
among his competitors. He was greatly
respected by that portion of the communi-
ty whose respect was most to DC priced
But his bashfulness among ladies was so
profound that to John it was absolutely
painful. He had good, loving heart, had
John Hamline, and great admiration for
the sex before whose members he was al
ways so i'll at ease. 1t is generally SO with
bashful men, believe
Here was John, full thirty years of age,
and bachelor. Unhappy state of affairs,
indeed But how to mend it? John had
not the faintest idea how to mend it, En-
ire nous, think he had very nearly given
up all hope of ever mending it Yet he Of
ten sighed as he thought of the future-of
long, dreary bachelor-life-no dear wife
to share his joys and sorrows-no happy
hOme-circle to make his heart glad when
he should come home from his abors at
the close of the day. Heigho The Fates
seemed to have shut him out from Paradise
Among those who had sought John Ham
lines valuable aid in the law, was a gay
/ young fellow about town, who had the rep
utation of being practical joker. One Of
his practical jokes having got him into :
bad scrape, which was no joke, he found
/ that Ilamlinc would not help him out of it,
Its your own fault, IIawcs, and you de-
serve to be punished, said John, in his
blunt way. Your love of those silly prac-
teal jokes will get you into more serious
trouble than this, some day, if you're not
careful. Take my advice and drop all that
nonsense. It's sound advice, and don t
charge you anything for it. l hope this az
fair will teach you good lesson
Young HAYES thought this was very
hard Of lIamiuo. Aud as for taking bis
advice-this is the way he took it:
III get even with him some day, he
said to one Of Ills cronics. 'Coufound him
and his preaching. He's smart, but I'll get
him on the hip before he's year older, or
I'm minister =
Bringing his capacious intellect TO bear
upon this great purpose, HAYES finally saw
his opportunity.
I I'll kill too birds with one stone be
chuckled
Mrs. Rich-a wealthy widow in Brick
ton-had also won the luminosity of this 10.
kerr Mrs. Rich had a beautiful daughter
whom Halves wanted to marry-partly foI
herself, but more particularly on account Of
her prospective wealth. But Helen reject
ed Mr.. HAYES one fine day, and Mr.. HAYES
whose faith IN his own irresistibilitv was
entirely too strong to be shakeu-could ac
count for tho rejection in 20 other way than
by concluding that the mother had oppos.
ed bis suit. And so she had, though it wa.
unnecessary, as Helen had cordial con.
tempt for the young man
Mrs. Rich, therefore, was the other bird
that Mr.. llawes contemplated Staying with
Hamline
And this was the way he set about it
With the aid of his crony already allud
ed to, he prepared a certain paper, running
az follows, and written in delicate, lady.
like hand
"Mrs Rich respectfully requests that Mr. Ham
line will call upon her, at his earliest convent.
ence, TO consult upon a matter involving the In.
terests of her daughter Miss Helen Rich Thurs.
day evening is preferred
This was dispatched to Uamlne's addres,
through the village post-offcc Al the same
time another note was prepaid and dispatch.
ed, reading thus
"Nr John Uamline begs leave 10 inform Mrs
Rich that be will call upon her on Thursday o.
yening, to consult her upon certain matters that
have come TO his knowledge, intimately concern
Jog the interests OF Hiss Helen Rich
1tll be a splepdm sell the cronv de.
clarod, and the jokers were 10 high gee.
So the letter went through the post-of
fec.
John IIamline scratched bis head rcRcc.
lively for a moment, as hc read the lnis,ive
addressed to him, aud then turned to other
business with the remark
i wonder what its about | wish these
women would do business as men do. when
they want a lawyer but It's idle to expect
that, J suppose
Mrs. Rich read the note she received
with some surprise, and natural feeling
n feminine curiosity and knowing Mr.
Ilnmline's high standingas alawyer. which
was guaranty Of the importance Of the
matter, waited with some impatieuco for
Thursday evening 90 come
Thursday evening came, and brought
John Hamline to the lady door lie runp
the bell, was shown into the parlor. and sat
With bis heart humping in most annoy
log way, awaiting the entrance Of the lady
She entered, and John bowed awkwar1.
ly aud bushed violently.
y pleasant evening said Mrs Rich
Very pleasant, said John Il think We