The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-17
Miseellaueons.
OLIVER HUNTS GREAT PLEA.
ny GEORGE LEE.

" Hcu OllNCT Iluut WAY tWcHtN -Vlic, NV
decided to study law. He was n goo,
looking pleasant fellow, of fair ability,
The ladies thought him handsome and tai
ented. The more enthusiastic ones pro
nounccd him splendid" He eertainl,
had n great deal of money, and spent !
very freely, points on which all were a
greed.
When Oliver announced his detcrmina
ton to study law, many opinions were ex'
pressed on the subject. He was the cen.
tire of an admiring circle Of friends, who
Of course did not all think alike. The old
or ladies, among whom was his mother
hoped that he would be clergyman
while the younger ones. with charming
make n magnificent lawyer.
There was however one notable eSccp
ton. Fanny Shaw said one day
oliver Hunt will never make u success
full lawyer; he is To f,ncifnl."
Oliver heard the remark. and rcmcm
5crcd il.
In due time he was admitted to the bar
but rs this honor is conferred on all youn:
men who have gone through the requires
studies and presented themselves ut tn
proper time and place, his admission wa
nothing. except that he was now ready Il
prove himself
Privately, Oliver Hunt hal no espccia
liking for the profession. nor did he nee'
its fees. He reasoned thus:-"By study
ing faithfully for tsvo or three years, l shal
add greatly to my stock Of knowledge
make myself stronger man. Moreover
If this fortune of mine should some da,
take To itself wings. and that other plal
should fail. l would still have somethin.
To rely on
Ailer his admission. he said to himself
Now / 500 that everybody is expecting
me to do something in the professional
line. hayn't the least idea Of doing any,
thing; but I'll hang out shinglc, just fol
appearance =.
So he caused wing of his mother,
house Ia assume legal air. and placed ;
sign on the door-post. Ii read after thi
fashion:
OLIVER HUNT.
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
Now sand he, iocosely. Il must wait 70
my client lie did not wait by sittin:
In his office until the client came; that,
he said. would be conducive % dyspepsia.
Accordingly he exercised AMI refreshe,
himself by such gentle stimulants rs Gro
quet and picnics with the ladies, whil'
with his rougher companions he boatcd
iished and hunted with zeal that mad
dyspepsia a sheer inipossibility.
Indeed. when say that three month
glided away without bringing client Tn
assertion Is founded on my own obscrvn
tions; for that parsonage might hay
knocked at the office door six days in tn
week and Oliver would be unconscious o
the fact. On Sunday only did he homo
his sign by getting behind il. Betwoei
church hours he diligently read tho maya
zines, retiring 10 that nncongcnhl regioI
lest he should worry his mother by a dis
play OF literature not appropriate TO th'
day. Had he by chance seen possibl,
client coming up tho gravel path. h,
would sumna.lrily have locked the door.
His friends were troubled by such strang,
conduct. II became the general impress
sion that young Hunt was y clever fellow
he was altogether too easy for lawyer
Not content with astonishing his friend
by ncylecting his business during the day
he occasionally pcrplexed his mother b.
sitting up half the night What could h
be doing alone In his room
Oliver took remonstrances in good part
but did not profit by them. Why h
would say, how can I do anything until
get client?' n consideration which scenes
To satisfy himself. If Il failed to quiet th
apprehension of his advisers.
One morning more than three month
after that one which witnessed tho adjust
ment Of his sign. Judge Shaw. an old fam
lily friend. said to him:
II am disappointed In you. Oliver. dis
appointed flo spoke with some warmth
WHY, man. how do you expect to d
anything unless you are In tho propc
place To do IL? His Office Is young law
yer's proper tarrying place. whether any
bosiy comes In or not We are losing cor
fidcnce In you. Oliver. II you don't d
something To show yourself in earnest. W
shall conclude you're not made ot Tn
right stuff. Get yourself into court.
don't believe you have seen the inside 9
n courthouse this term. Bring n sui
against somebody. Make aplca. Go