The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-06-06


that there really seemed to be something
in the claim which was set up, but that
it would take deal of legislation to prove
it, and so far as he could see it was odds
on the man in possession eventually win
ming the day But still, if an advantage
Gus compromise were to be suggested, it
might be as well to take it into consid-
Grafton
So Mr.. Johnstone took to walking for
hours about the garden of joss House
Villa with his eyes bent on his toes and
his hands closed behind his back, lost in
thought, and muttering at intervals,
Advantageous compromise y
He was accustomed to spread silk
pocket-handkerchief over his head after
dinner, and take forty winks--at the rate
of one wink to two minutes but his
slumbers now were strangely disturbed.
He would turn and mutter and his NUT
terings, to the excitement of Annie's Gu
riosity, invariably framed some parts of
the words Advantageous compromise !"
Miss Plumtree and Annie Johnstone
sat in the same queer summer-house
overlooking the dragon in the chick
weed, employed in the same description
of needlework, the advance of the year
being shown by basket of apricots
which stood in the place of the straw
berries. Mr.. Johnstone sat near them
in silent abstraction. At intervals, in
deed, he would tilt his chair forward to
bring his hand in range of the mellow
fruit, of which he was devouring chol-
eric quantity but he seemed to do so
mechanically, as if he did not quite know
what he was about and, indeed, while
his palate was engaged with the apricots,
his mind was absorbed in contemplation
of his position.
That fine, that remarkably fine wo-
man." he said to himself, as his eyes rest
ed admiringly on Miss Plumptree, "will
not marry me until that girl is off my
hands, which is less likely to happen
than ever, now that it is doubtful if |
can give her, or even leave her penny.
And yet, if these fellows really manage
to take away my money-and there is no
knowing what lawyers may not do in that
way-it will be an extra reason why
should marry a woman with a nice COM
petence to make up. wonder how
George the Fourth would have acted
under similar circumstances But bah
how could he possibly have been placed
in them? When king has his property
taken from him, he does not go to law
he fights, Or rather, other people fight,
which is better still, and settle the mat
ter that way"
His meditations were interrupted by a
servant bearing card, who told him
that gentleman wished to see him.
" Where have you shown him ?"
"Into the grand music-hall," replied
the girl
Too much furried to say a word to
either of the ladies, Mr. Johnstone has
tened to the grand music hall an apart
ment fifteen feet by thirteen, where he
found young man.
"The--ah the claimant, believe 2"
said Mr.. Johnstone, glancing from his
visitor to the card he held in his hand.
Yes" replied the other. &" The Z
course which have taken in calling upon
you personally, may seem somewhat
strange, especially for lawyer; but there
has been some mention of the possibility |
of a compromise; and to tell the simple /
truth, you have been in possession so
long, and the information which enabl es |
me to contest your rights has come from |
so disreputable a quarter, that | am
rather ashamed Of my position, and would |
prefer settling the matter amicably to |
commencing a long course Of litigation
A very unprofessional view of the
case, | own, but beg you to believe
that | should have no such scruples if | |
were acting for client 1t is delicate
matter, however, to meke the first 'ap-
proaches towards a compromise in writ
ing, because, if your opponent is unwil-
ling to entertain it, he may take it as an
acknowledgement Of weakness, and be- .
come confirmed in the strength of his
case or, he may find weapon in some
sentence Of your letter which may be turn
ed against you SO | have determined .
to sink the lawyer, ! am only a very
young one, and call upon you personally |
to talk the matter over quietly, and see
If you are inclined to meet me halfway |
OF course, you will commit yourself to
nothing without consulting your solic-
tor."
II am no great friend to litigation my
SELF said Mr.. Johnstone "and if YOU
can show me that your claim is really
agood one, | am ready to listen to what /