Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-07
sclctt storp.
SOLTING 4 MYSTERY.
BY A RETIRED LAWYER.

Some years since, professional engage
mcnts called me from the Atlantic States
10 California. where | remained few
months. occupied in my duties pertain
ing to case of considerable importance
7 in connection with the interests OF some
Eastern clients. who were heavy creditors
OF a bankrupt house on the Pacific coast.
/ In the course of my business peregrina-
tionS passed week or two st Sacra-
mcnto, then q town rapidly growing in
20 note, but not so large or so densely
populated as it now is. Shortly after my
arrival there, l met at my hotel an old
college claSS-mate whom | had not seen
for several years, and whom should
scarcely have recognized, so greatly was
he changed in personal appearance. He
bad seen my name upon the hotel regis
ter. and remembering it, waited upon
me. and introduced himself.
/ was heartily glad to see him in that
far away country. and we sat down to a
pleasant chat together over the events
OF our lives, past and present.
You have succeeded admirably, my
friend. in your profession, an glad 10
know" he said Il have frequently heard
of you"
"Ah, doctor" replied, "a, the best,
our profession is but precarious generally.
Personally have no fault to find with for
tune. We lawyers seldom set rich, how
ever. Still, am blessed with excellent
health, and contrive to Get along smooth
ly. But yga have amasSeda competency,
YOU say, and are doing Splendidly in pc.
cuniary way. | congratulate YOU that
YOU have found the new country 4 real
FL Dorado. III our friends who venture
hither. dazzlcd by the promises held ont
in this naturally wealthy region, do not
succeed so well.
You are right, my friend. There is =
great deal in luck, rs we say here; and
as very many. even Of those who are
successful. have come 10 believe too, from
experience. The fortunate man who
strikes a lead and daily gathers his half
dozen ounces of glittcring scales or his
quarter pound nuggets for his pains, is
the exception not the rule And one poor
fellow is exactly as likely as his neigh
Dor to become wealthy, from mere cir
cumstance. if he chances 10 hit right;
while scores around him atthe same time
exc out but a hard existence. Ihaye
been lucky, thank heaven"
lin the mines ?" inquired.
NO, SIR" exclaimed the doctor. with
q smile. DO | look like miner?"
Very little, l replied, But you have
struck a lead evidently somewhere
nevertheless"
remembered that my former college
mate had not been ovcrburdened with
ready means in his earlier days; and tho
he was man of superior talents, the
competition in the business to which he
had devoted himself was altogether too
great to permit him to cnjoJ fair be-
ginning at home He had therefore re-
linauiShed his undertaking in the pretty
town at the East where he had hoped to
live and flourish" soon after graduating
and with hundred dollars only, knew
he had started ''for San Francisco and a
market" as he pleasantly termed his in
tended destination for California.
now observed that he was expensive
/ " attired, wore costly jewels in his bosom
drove handsome span before a fine car
riage, and lived in good style, in suite
Of the best apartments at the first hotel in
/ Sacramento. And so | continued:
You are practising here-eh, DOCTOR"
Yes" he said. Take glass of sher-
ry," he added; (illing our goblets with
genuine Amontillado, which he had i'm
ported for his special use.
And now let me tell you how and
why it is that am doing so well, as you
seem 10 have discovered"