The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-03-05
SERVING THE WRIT.

The small dapper figure of Squire
Butterfield was seated IN his Office one
cold winter morning, and the Squire was
vainly trying to comprehend q pile of
law books. These books had been left by
opposing attorneys in some case tried be-
fore him, and from the cases therein
cited he was expected to make up his de-
cision- Had it been any other question
geography, astronomy, mechanics, or
what not-the Squire would have settled
it at once. He had the most thorough
confidence In the ability of Squire But
terfield to settle anything, but now he
was perplexed. The more he studied,
the more he became convinced that the
plaintiff had all the law ON his side and
SO had the defendant and that both
sides had amply proved their case. In
this bewildering state Of mind he con-
cluded to take a sort of middle course, at
once satisfactory to himself If to no one
else, and he had just written upon his
docket, cease dismissed for want of
jurisdiction, when the tall, thin, sombre
figure of Mr.. Grimp appeared in the
doorway.
Now Mr.. Grimp was an awfully solemn
man. Arrayed in the blackest of broad
cloths, the stiffest of neckties, the whitest
of shirt fronts and standing collars, with
features cold, anstere, and severely
I.
gested unpleasant thoughts of funerals,
grave clothes and collins He was a very
religious man, too-very. In prayer
meeting, class meeting, and ON other occa-
sions, his monotonous, sepulchrl, metal
hc voice was frequently heard speaking
of the '' 'shortness of life, % the <s certainty
of DEATH" and about becoming food
for the worms, and such other cheerful
subjects. Cold and passionless himself,
he had no mercy for the weakness or
frailty of his fellow, exacting the most
formal religious observance In others, and
the last penny due him by his debtors.
And he was rich.
ST have called, Brother Butterfield, -
began Mr.. Grimp In slow measured
tones-"I have called TO see you about
little matter that has been ON my mind
for some time q matter I hesitated
bringing before the courts, as ]. think
the Scriptural rule should be generally
followed about going to law before the
unjust, and"
SHumphi" And the Squire straight
ened himself ON his chair and ran his
hand through his thin looks until each
individual hair stood out bristhng pro-
test. s'I reckon I ain't q but more unjust
than any ON 'en. IL you're hfntin' that
way, why IN Sam Hill didn't ye take your
case afore some spiritooal court, and done
with it 90
Mr.. Grimp colored slightly. eI think
you misunderstood me, Brother Butter
field only used the expression in a
general sense, without allusiOn to you,
whom / know to be man with clear
ideas of Justice, or else the community
had not placed you IN 50 responsible q
position.
The Squire's testineas at once dis
appeared, the smile came back, and
he bowed IN complacent acquiescence.
But to return TO my business, !" con-
tinued Mr.. Gx1mp. ssYoU doubtless
know Mrs. Barney -
What, Widow Barnsy e. and the
complacent look iznznediaSeIy gave plaoe.
TO am unusual flush on the questioner's
face.
Yes; / believe she Is widow. Her
husband-pooE man l,eeame. somewhat
involved before be died but may we
hope In better world he has discovered
vexation of spirit Like ms all, Brother
Butterfeld, he brought nothing into the
world, and it Is certain he carried nothing
out.
81 s'pose not, as you got the hull on :"
answered the Squire, altogether misin-
terpreting Mr. Grimp's n1oralizing.
q sAhem All, yesl presume you
allude to the forecIoang of mortgage I
held ON his place It was truly unpleas-
ant for me to do il, but duty to my chill
dren, so lately deprived of a mother.
annpeIled me- As the Scripture Gays, IF
any provide not for his own, especially
for those of his own house, he hath de-
MED the faith and is worse than an in
fdel. =