The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-12-09
: MY FIRST DIVORCE CASE.

I was not ,oyer-supplied with clients du
ring my first years practice as counsellor al
law, and not being one Of those fortunate
individuals, those lusi naturo, who are said
to make their first appearance with silver
spoon in their mouths, / was not little
pleased when, one idle day, my wealthy
friend Stillingdeet, called at my Office, and
announced that he needed my immediate pro
fessional service However, eyincing nc
| sign Of my inward satisfaction, I bid him be
seated, assumed professional air, and said
aWhat can / do for you =
aHawthorne," he answered, while T. MOTTO
cd his troubled, even wild look, II wish
you to obtain my Divorce from Mrs. Shilling
feet, without one moments. unnecessary de-
lay; ser ala s..se ~ .--say ii al.
l. Had the President of the United States
entered my office and rendered me the treas
uryship, could not have been more astonish-
ed. Opening his pocketbook, he handed me
i letter, saying calmly, although with the
utmost exertion to appear composed ;l.s, =.
iirsY on, of course need evidence read this
letter, accidently intercepted by me. Unhap-
l'pily,l Il have but too much reason to believe
that it more than warrants any legal steps
YOU may take at present. / will see you
again to morrow; for the present good bye. +"
;, But his pride gave away as /, his old friend
| took his offered hand. He sat down on a
chair, and laying his head on the desk, sob
bed like child. As. soon as he was sufficiently
composed, I asked him where he was going.
."Not home. you may be sure / have no
home now 's III -, a3T II
w r. - - - : ! r 49,, s s;c,, IT Z, AZ hin, nrn,o
Use 70 go to my bachelor home whittier I
would follow him as soon as business hours
would permit; Left alone with this strong
link in the. chain of evidence--this letter,
which had broken one of the best hearts in
the world asked myself, can it be, posi-
Bile that so young, SO beautiful, and, appa-
rently, 50 devoted wife, could thus, have ir-
sreyocably disgraced herself2 I looked at
the letter, with, an unusual beating at the
heart. I would have given much that it
had not fallen to my lot to open it, but it was
to be done. It was beautifully scented and
tiny epistle, and ran as. follows r
Is s.Al1 DARLING GERTRUDE Your letter would
have been more acceptable had it contained bet
ter news of my Charlie. Do you really think he
Tmourns for rnes would have him here, but
alas he might be discovered and Frederick, who
is passionate, might shoot him. 5 The last time
he was here almost feared q, discovery. Yet
long to have him with me again; and as soon as
know that Fred will be away for a few days, he
can come. But remember, you must Keep This
secret, or you may guess the consequenceto me. !"
Then followed other important matters
Soft was true i. This Charlie sFearon,1 this
Judas, who had pretended the closest friend
ship for poor Fred had wrought his wife s
ruin. aaoo baiaa13ts sed sl3oaga9sss III 10
exclaimed, asaI paced my Office
ina fever, "abullet would be too good for
yon!'sall srifuIAhHe a!eo3s aaGFclas 9 s.
Eaa Yet damning as this esidencei appeared it
xssnot legally conclusive. d could not be
sliave.tbatl this efair and, gentle wife could
s. 800. .-fs-~r ~-,.tst r.