The Lincoln County herald., 1868-12-24

easy grace and dignity, which showed the
visitor that, dispito the thrcadbare
clothes, he stood in tho presence Of gen.
tleman, and extending his hand to Mar
tin, said fervently: ...,...
"Sir, you hava this night rendered me
an insstimablc service, for If any thing had
happened to my child my life-T believe
It would have done what many delays and
disappointments have failed to do; il
would have broken my heart yet, though
the service is SO great, in return I can but
give you thanks, which, IS Shakespear
has II, are tho exchcqucr of the poor
but those, sir, I give you from my soul. J"
Martin made somo etamlrcring reply
as he returned tho warm grasp Of tho
others hand, who continued, with n
smile: ....
"You snd as, sir, but in poor condi.
tion hcrc--poor, but honest, as the novel.
writer's have il. I feel it needs some
apology, SO permit me tho vanity-pcr-
haps not out Of place on the OCCASION
to say that it has not always been 10,
nor, l hope, will long continue to be-"
IL sincerely trust not, sir" rejoined
Martin, for want Of something better to
say. This world is made Of ups and
downs"
''"You arc right, sir. My case Is q
proof" continued the old man. who ap.
pcarcd to have mounted q particular
hobby and to be riding it with satisiac.
ton. "The truth is, about twenty years
ago I became aware that our family had
once owned large estate in Derbyshirc
called Ivy Bank Priory, but through
some litigation it had been thrown into
Chancery. Ny grandfather, I was told,
had half ruined himself in carrying oat
the case, q fact which had made my father,
who had large family and no great
fortune, abandon tho contest, believing
our claim 50 slight that it was but throw.
ing good money after bad. l, however
was Of a different opinion, and twenty
years ago set our lawyers once again to
work" .w
"\vith success, hope, sir?" put in
Martin, though no could read otherwise
in the signs about him.
"Wcll, I may say yes" responded the
old gentleman. at has brought me, Of
it did my grandfather, very near to ruin
but now-thank Heaven I'VE arc draw
ing TO close. Judgment must BE- pro-
nounced in a months time, and it is Ger.
tain to DO given to u.s."
~ sincerely hope sol" said Martin
rising to take his leave.
"Thank you for tho wish! It is ,
weary time for US, as You may imagine
AL these papers arc in reference to tn,
case. Do you understand the law at all
sir y
"Ycs, do, little," rejoincd Martin
"Ah! l wish, then, I dared ask you t.
give me your opinion upon my case,
said the old gentleman, doubtfully. awe
must vim" he added, with nervous
laugh, "yet-yet it is always pleasant to
have other opinions to confirm with our
own" .. -r
~ will do so most willingly" replied
Martin. "This evening | have IN ap.
pointment, but I will come to morrow,
with your permission" ,a.t' r
~ should really be obliged il you
would" exclaimed the other, satisfaction
sparkling in his eyes. "You will, !
know, excuse the poor welcome We can
give you, my young friend, but when our
cause is gained we will try to make
amends. Not that even now We need
live in such . hole as this, only, you SOC,
l must bo near the courts to watch my
case" a ......- ...- q; -..--
Martin, perfectly coinciding in this,
took his leave. Going down stairs, con
Quoted by Jessie, the latter said, timidiy
II fear you must think, Mr Campbell,
that IL is very strange for my father so
soon to have informed you about his
nrivatc business. but this terrible law.
suit is perfect mania with him. He cnn
think Of nothing else; sleeping or waking,
and it has made him an old man before
his timc, whilo he sacrifices every penny
to satisfy the lawyers" ..'' rt'Ir,.r -
"And is there no chance Of il being
given in your favor,'as ho thinks?" asked
Martin. I'm -.,.-
Sadly Jessie shook her head. .. r
"My dear father thir Ks so," shc re-
piled. "T bellows the lawyers for their
own benefit try to make him think SO,
but I do. not 1t seoms impossible" r'
"Still;" said the young man earnestly,
a. ho took her hand to say good night,
you do not mind my coming tomorrow
to hook at the papers o. y~a-'I "'Ir.
The girls brown eyes fell before his
glance, which seemed even to express
moro than his words, for deep blush
roso to her cheek. ..., .- ...-..'. ..
"Oh no |" she murmurcd. ~ shall be
very glad |; it--it will please my father"
Before Martin Campbell retired to rest
that pight ho had become morally con-
vinced Of two things: First, that he
loved Jessie with his whole heart, and
that, consequently, It was his duty to
watch her fathers csso, and prevent his
running the poor girl, al he was certainly