The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-09-17
MI i S G @ liza m @ 0 us.
The First Client.
by MRS. S. NJ. c. PERKINS.

ID Mrs. .. NJ. Z. IENhlNS.
Several summers ago happened to spend
lew weeks in Concord, New Hampshire.
MY home. for the time being, was in quiet
family who took into their home several
members of the State Legislature as board
ers. Among these people there was tai
ented young lawyer and his pretty wife,
They were bright, witty, sensible couple,
dressed well, and looked upon them as for
tunes favortes, and wondered ifthe passing
years would fling any shadows in their
pathway, or if they had known care or sor-
row. The young wife was sweet singer,
and many an evening passed very pleasant
~ IN listening to the piano touched by her
practlced fingers, and her songs were like
the bird music in early spring time. Her
gay laugh would ring out upon the air I'M
mingled by single note of sadness. The
manly husband seemed devoted to his ac-
complished wife, finding his chief happi-
ness In her society, and as saw them daily
l was reminded of Whittier's beautiful
poem, "The Wife," and l fancied, too, was
some city's "fair pale daughter" who had
found her husband among the New Hamp-
shire hills. The lines would come to my
mind,
I'VE send the Squire to general court,
lie takes his young wife thither;
NO happier man, election day,
Rides through the sweet June weather."
Though became interested in this hap
Ply pair yet the weeks glided away and l
learned nothing definitely of their history
during my sojourn in the city. But anoth-
Ell summer came and the same Grand took
me again to Concord and occupied the
same old quarters. There were many new
faces around the table, but the young law
yer and his wife were in their old seats,
and apparently as happy as ever. We met
as old acquaintance this time, and one
evening we were all out upon the piazza
watching the sunset and the crowds of peo-
pie that promenade at this hour, or rode
leisurely past in their handsome carriages.
The conversation turned upon the strug-
giles OF young men of limited means in &C.
curing an education and profession, and
then foothold in this busy, grasping
world.
VI know all about it," exclaimed Mr.. Wes-
ton, my young lawyer friend, chad a time
OF 1t to get started, and if the Lord ever
gives me plenty of money shall use lit
tie of it in helping Others"
"Tell me something Of your history il
you please Z" | asked. II have had all
manner OF conjectures in regard to it, and
| now my curiosity must he satisfied.
YOU may not care much for it," he re-
piled, smiling, "but think l will tell you
about my first client. To me, certainly, it
was an interesting case"
| Here his wife slipped her little hand out
| NJ ;otI -. L 4
then knew that she was in some way con.
nected with the story
"Well, to begin, was early left an or.
phan with only sixpence in my pocket, and
jack-knifc to whittle with. | believe
had good share of energy, or pluck, as
they say, for went through college, and
studied law, supporting myself and owing
no man dollar. But the tug of war came
when went to the village of W., where |
now live, and hung out my single, ex-
pecting that business would come OF
course. But weeks dragged into months
and no work came
Sometimes would get little writing
to do, hut the other lawyers took all the
important cases, and ] hardly earned
enough to pay my board bills. Every
morning rose very early and took long
walk, then carefully swept my office and
arranged my books, so that if business did
come | could be ready for it. But the
months glided away and still l had moth
ing to do. Finally began to get little
discouraged, and wondered if | had not
mistaken my calling. | sometimes wished
myself in Burmab, teaching the heather,
or anywhere else than in that quiet village.
At length, one day in fit of desperation
l looked over my affairs, took an invento-
ny OF my possessions, which consisted of a
few law books and two seedy suits of cloth
ing, and asked myself what had better he
done; | could endure this waiting no
longer. "Try your luck somewhere else
john" said to myself, "these old staid
New England villages went to seed thirty
years ago. Go to Kansas and start afresh
That is just what I'll do if no work comes
this week."
But at the close of that very day there
came low knock at my Office door,.
knew that it was not any of the fellows
who sometimes came in to chat awhile
and | threw down my newspaper and
opened the door. There stood very hand.
some young lady dressed in mourning, and
| was little frightened and awkward, but
l asked her to come in and take seat.
'Mr. Weston, l believe" she asked.
Eyes, at your service"
81 am Minnie Ellcry," she said, with q
low musical voice, "and came to consult
you on business"
II shall be happy to hear your story"
answered, las I have little leisure just
! now"