The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-10-15
Miscellaneous.
DAVID MOSS, ATTORNEY.

had after severe struggle with poverty
caught at the skirts of the legal profession.
a sign with gilt letters, David Moss, Attor-
ney and Solicitor at Law was tackled on my
office door on Louisiana avenue. Within Il
few dusty books, an empty desk and di-
iapidated arm chair, proclaimed my legal
status. had waited patiently for criminal
and pcrpleXed debtors to rush in and seek
my advice, but tncy did not rush well; hope
deferred had almost made my heart sick
On the morning of December DIST 1872, /
sat discOnsolately in my Office with my over
coat buttoncd up to my chin, said overcoat
answering in lieu Of fire. and took pros
pective glance at my affairs. My finances
stood two to five, that is a five cent nickel
to a two cent copper. The five cents would
buy Il glass of beer and the two cents a
pretzel. | smiled at my anticipated happi-
ness, and took an inventory Of my ward
robe. Like their owner, my coat and pants
had evidently seen better days for, although
rusty and threadbare, they showed traces oi
their original color and texture. | com
mcnced to rumnate on my condition and
achieve plans for the future But all | could
bring to aid were the words of Horace Gree
ley, Go West, and you are a liar knew
| was liar technically speaking, because my
sign proclaimed me to be an attorney and
solicitor at law, and yet | had not had &
single case to plead before the bar, although
I was nominally member. To go west was
to my fancy literal burial of all my 'splen
did possibilities | knew POSSESSED (what
young man is there that does not think the
same?) genius that would astonish the world
if it could only find an outlet. Just as
arrived at this point in my reflections, the
door Of my office swung softly on its hinges
and man closely mutlled in winter appare
stood by my side.
Are you lawyer, sir?' he said, with {
questioning glance in his steel gray eyes.
That is my business, returned, cooley
Strengthening myself to the full height OIL
my five feet six.
He smiled at my manner, slipped a five
dollar note in my hand, and said blandly, :
have come for advice
This was coming to the point. thaweC
instantly and asked my client to b.
seated.
He was a middle aged man, tall anC
sinewy with black hair, sparsely mixed Will
gray. His dress and manner proclaimed
him Il man of wealth. | noticed this as h
slowly seated himself;
Suppose said he, you had an onl
| daughter, and she was obstinately determine
on marrying man that you dispised, a ma
whom you knew to be villain, but had II
means of proving it,
Is your daughter of age?' asked.
Il did not say she was my daughter,you
man; you jump at conclusions; no abb
lawyer accepts anything without proof
| felt that had suddenly changed place
with him-that he wos the attorney and
was the client, but taking no notice of h
words, ! repeated the question with yarii
ton.
IS she of age"
Yes was the reply, She is of age and &
obstinate as a mule
'Disinherit her. | suggested,
oh, said he, with a shrug of his shoulde
Il have tried everything; | have told her 81
shouldn't have penny Of my money /;
have kept her on bread and water hir,
goyerncsses to watch her, in fact, have le
no stone unturned'
There remain only two method
incarcerate her in an insane asylum, or p
detectives on his track and convict him
some ignoble action, | said.
Your last suggestion is the best. b
even if should convict him of murder s.
would imagine that it was conspiracy
my part, and marry him at the galows,'
lie remained in deep thought for seve
minutes and then said; Young man do
think your business is very lucrative, h
would you like to change it for somethi
more proftableT
Change or starvation was evidently
: necessity for me, so of course had no {
jections to Offer In fact any escape fr