The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-03-27
SERVING THE WRIT.

The small dapper figure of Squire Butter
Held was seated in his office one cold win
ter morning, aud the Squire was vainly try
ing to comprehend pile of law books
These books had been left by opposing attor
neys in some case tried before him, and from
the cases therein cited he was expected to
IN Ike up his decision Had it been any
other question-geography, astronomy, me
chanics, or what not--thc Squire would have
settled 1t ut once He had the most thorough
confidence in the ability of Squire Butter
held 10 settle anything, but now he was per
picked. The more he studied, the more he
became convinced that the plaintiff had the
law on his SIDE; and so had the defendant
and that both sides had amply proved their
case. la tins bewildering stage of mind he
concluded to take sort of middle course at
once satisfactory to himself If to no one else
an he had just written upon his docket
Case dismissed for want of jurisdiction,
when The tall, thin, sombro figure of Mr.
drlmp appeared in the doorway.
Now Mr. Grimp was an awful solemn man
Arrayed IN the blacklist of broadcoths, tho
'tllicst of neckties, The whltest of shirt fronts
ana standing collars, with features cold, aus
ter, and severely serious, Mr.. Grimp some
b. ever suggested unpleasant thoughts OF
funerals, grave clothes and collins. lie was
very religious man, toO-very In PRAYER
nr@'ng, class meeting, and on other occa.
SONS, his monotonous, sepulchral, metallic
voice was frequently heard speaking of the
shofihesS OF life, the Certainty of death, and
SDoul becoming food for worms and such
oV1cf cheerful subjects. Cold and passion.
less himseii, he had no mercy for the weak.
ness OF irailty OF his fellow, eXactpr the
most FORMAL religious observance in -thers,
and the last penny due him by his doctors.
And he was rich.
l nave called, Brother Butterfeld' BEGAN
Mr.. GrImp in slow measured tones-'I have
called to see you about little matter that has
9een on my mind Tor some time; matter
hesita;ed bringing before the courts as
mtnk the Scriptural rule should be generally
followed about going TO law before the I'm.
JUS, and
'humphr And The Squire Strengthened
himself on his chair and ran his hands
.hr"agA h's thin locks until each individual
4'lr stood out bristling protest. Il reckon
ava a on more unjust than any on en-. II
} b" re hlttin' that way, why in Sam Hill
u'"l We take your case afore some spirit.
ooal court and done with IL"
NJ Giihp colered slightly. Il think yon
h''uhueLstanu rae, Brother Butterfield;
" > "rN ,"N NApiCsolOu IN general sense,
" lhout allusion t. you, whom know to be
g nan with clear ideas of justice, or else the
community had not placed you in so respon
si5,e pOsItion.'
The Squire ,estness at once disappeared
IL smile came back, and he bowed his com
7 cent acquicscenoe
But to return to my business continued
A- GrImp. You doubtless know Mrs, Bar.
neyy
What, Widow Barney" and the compla
At look Immediately gave place TO an un.
lal flush on the qGes,ioner's face.
Yes; believe she IS a widow. Her hus
ld-pOor man-became somewhat involy.
rh before he died; but may we hope in bet
world lac has discovered the things OF
rth 70 be but vanity and vexation of spirit.
z ke Us all, Brother Butterfeld, he brought
thing into the world, and it is certain he
carried nothing out
Is'pose not, as you got the hull on't,' an.
Fsred the Squire, altogether misinterpre.
Ig b. Grimp's mor2lizing.
'Atemi All, yesl presume you allude 10
re fcreclosing OF mortgage 1 held on hi,
lace l. was 'sEly unpleasant for me to do