The Richmond palladium., 1869-07-06
May it please the courtr said Oil

Ihe court looked more myStiHeu tuau
pleased, but contrived to nod. in so curt
q manner, however, that Oliver derived
little encouragement from it.
Il told your honor this morning. Oil
yer continued, that should bring in
the matter by Thursday. On consulta.
ton with the defense wc deemed it ex-
pedient to present our cause to- night,
provided your honor would grant us
hearing We have no witnesses to be
examined on either side, and whether
the defense will have anything to offer
remains to be seen. I hope to state my
clients case so satisfactorily and plead
his cause so successfully, that the learn
ed judge. who, by the way, has promised
me his hearty corporation, will have no
difficulty in arriving at a decision in my
clients favor.
In the first place, sir, I must state
that l love your daughter. devotedly, and
have some reason to believe that she is
not wholly Indifferent to me-
The effects of this shot were immedi-
ately visible. The Judge looked harder
than ever at Fanny, while that young la
DIV showed evident signs Of consterna-
ton. Oliver resumed:
4 am aware that my career as law
yer has not been such as to justify me
in asking the priceless gift Of her love.
Even had the assurance to prefer such
a claim, I know her and your honor too
we'll to think that it wo1ld be regarded
with favor. Ibegan the study of law,
not because liked it, but because I
hoped to gain from it strength Of mind,
clearness of thought and soundness OF
judgment. My tastes have ever been
for literature and even in my college
days was furtive contributor to some
very respectable journals. I have con-
tinued to write more or less ever since,
and so well have my efforts been re-
ceived that am determined to devote
my attention to literature exclusively.
A short time since was offered share
in the management and editorship of the
Universal Eagle. / accepted the situa
tion without hesitating longer than was
sufficient to corvice me that the terms
proposed were reasonable. And now I
only desire an assurance from your
daeghter that she will accompany me to
the scene of my new labors, and your
own approval ! have kept my literary
proclivities secret, partly because Of q
dislike to have my productions recog-
nized and criticised by friends, and
partly because I knew that an editorial
life was among the last things which my
father would have chosen for me, and
wished to fully demonstrate my ability
and aptitude before saying anything
In view of these considerations, en-
treat your honor to give that confidence
to my client, which am sure he will
never forfeit
The plaintiff sat down, wiping the
perspiration from the lawyers face with
the clients pocket handkerchief.
The judge had by this time cleared
his somewhat mysti6ed wits, taken
rapid bat careful survey of the situation
and formed his decision. He said:
HAS the defendant any thing to offer2
Come, Fanny, what can you say for
yourself and against the PLAINTIFF Can
you prove that Oliver ought not to have
your must say that, so far, the suit
is in his favor, and unless you make q
pretty strong defense, shall be obliged
to render decision for the plaintiff
May it please the court said Fanny.
Il fear can make but weak defense
Oliver already knows that my heart
pleads for him, and reason says nothing
ae ainst him. And while honor him
for not asking me to he his wife while
his character seemed unstable and his
life purposeless, am glad that he has
been able to clear away all doubts and
show himself so worthy and noble for
dear papa, love him better than all the
world besides, and would great deal
rather he would be an editor than alaw.
, yer, I am sure .~ s....-
This unlawyer-like speech caused Oh
iver to make very unlawyer like move
ment, and the defense was go utterly
defenseless that she came very neal
disappearing in the plaintiffs arms.
'Hey, hey! said the judge, 81 pretty
argument, surely. Why, Fanny. yor
give up without struggle. decid,
for Oliver-for the plaintiff, l mean
Really now, Oliver, you soere deep
,ceren's YOU pursued the Judge. 'Yo,
rascal! But what about the twenty
thousand, eh, Oliver7 Well, well, vi
won't quarrel about it now. She'll hav,
r that much at least-thirty, likel,
enough!'
Then again:
IAN editor is it2 I'd rather you,
been lawyer but it's hard sailing
t against the wind. If Fanny's suited, i
. doesn't matter. God bless you both,
t and the judge retired precipitately.