The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-29
. NIX FIRST DIvOMcE CASE.

- mn mnc4xASHUAtNNCG CASE.
I was not over-snpplied with clients
1lring my first years practice as coun-
4llor at law, and not being one Of those
rtunate individuals, those lusi nature,
mo are said to make their first appear
hce with q silver spoon in their mouths,
was not little pleased when, one idle
~, my wealthy friend StillingAeet call
at my Office, and announced that he
eaded my immediate professional SER
ices. However, evincing no sign of nv
awards tibfaction, ] bid him be seated,
ssumed q professional air, and said:
What can i do for your"
hawthorne, he answered, while I
loted his troubled, even wild look, sI
fish you to obtain my divorce from Mrs.
tllingheet, without one moments un-
lecessary delay
Had the President Of the United States
inferred my Office and rendered me the
freasuryship, i could not have been
hore astounded. Opening his pocket
book, he handed me letter, saying
falmly, although with the utmost oxer.
ion to appear composed:
"You, of course, need evidences; read
his letter, accidentally intercepted by
ne. Unhappily, have but too much
feason to believe that it more than war
fants any legal steps you may take at
present. Twill see you again to-mor-
row; for the present, goodbye"
But his pride gave way as I, his old
Hown on chair. and laying his head on
she desk, sobbed and cried like a child.
As soon as he was sufficiently composed,
q asked him where he was going.
4 "Not home, yon may be sure; have
tno home now =
After Some persuasion, made him
promise to 60. to, my bachelor home,
WHITTIER IstwOuld follow him as soon as
business hours would permit. Left alone
with this strong link in the chain of evil
Idence-this letter, which had broken one
lot the best hearts in the world-I asked
myself, ssOan it be possible that 80
young, so beautiful, and, apparently, 80
devoted wife, could thus have irrevoca-
bly, disgraced herself2" I Hooked at the
letter with an unusual beating at the
heart. 1 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 fol-
lows:
"MY DARLING GERTRUDE: Your letter
would have been more acceptable had it
contained better news of my Cha lie.
Do you really think he mourns for me?
I would have him here, but, alas! he
might be discovered. and Frederick, who
is passionate, might shoot him. The last
time he was here, I almost feared dis
covefy. Yet 1 long to have him with me
again; and as soon as know that Fred
will be away for q few days, he can como
up. But, remember, you must keep this
secret, or you may guess the consc-
quences to me-"
Then followed other and important
matters. So it was true! This Charlie
Fearon, this Judas, who had pretended
the closest friendship for poor Fred, had
wrought his wife's ruin.
':Devilp exclaimed, as T paced my
Office in fever; "a bullet would be too
good for you.
Yet, damning as this evidence appear
ed, it was not legally conclusive. could
not believe that this fair and gentle wife
could have been guilty of more than in
discretion. She had married, it is true,
more to please her parents than for any
strong love she bore her husband, yet I
had every reason to believe that she had
learned to love Stillingheet-an excel
lent, though impetuous sman-exceeding-
ly, ii not passionately. Yet again. wo-
man Is cnigmatical, and I was sorely
puzzled; but. giving Mrs. Stillingleet
the benefit of the doubt, I determined,
however unprofessional it might appear,
to visit the lady to whom this letter had
been addressed, and to discover if she
could, indeed, be party to so disgraceful
an intrigue. Being intimately acquaint-
ed with the lady, I should find the task
less difficult than if she had been un-
known to nae. On my way to s., an
hour by rail from the city, I thought
over and matured my plans. I was re-
ceived with evident pleasure. and we
chatted for short time on family mat
tors. Presently ahe inquired:
Glow are the Stillingfeets?"
"Well. I believe. But Mr.. Stilling-
feet is away from home, and will be
absent for some days." I answered.
"Indeed," said Gertrude. "Poor
Grace! she will be lonely. I must
take this opportunity of visiting her.
Will you stay and take dinner with
usP'
I thanked her, but stated that I must
go off by the next train.