The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-02-05
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 n pile of
law books. These books had been left by
opposing attorneys III some case tried be
fore him, and from the cases therein
cited he was expected to make up his de-
cislon. Had 1t been any other question
geography, astronomy, mechanics, or
what not-the Squire would have settled
1T at once. He had the most thorough
confidence III the ability of Squire But
teriield 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-
Guided 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 blacklist of broad
cloths, the stiffest of neckties, the whitest
of shirt fronts and standing collars, with
features cold, austere, and severely
serious, Mr.. Grimp somehow ever sug-
gested unpleasant thoughts of funerals,
grsge clothes and collins. He was very
religious man, too-very. In prayer
meeting, class meeting, and on other occa-
sions, his monotonous, sepulchral, metal
nc voice was frequently heard speaking
of the 81 'shortness of life, " the " certainty
Of death, and about becoming food
for the worms, and such other cheerful
subjects. Cold and passionless himself,
he Ind no mercy for the weakness or
frGity of his fellow, csacting the most
formal religious observance in others, and
the last penny due him by his debtors.
And he was rich
have called, Brother Butterfield,"
began Mr.. Grimp in slow measured
tones" have called to see you about
little matter that has been on my mind
for some time a matter / hesitated
. bringing before the courts, as / think
, the ScrIptural rule should be generally
followed about going to law before the
unjust, and"
Humph ~ And the Squire straight
ened himself on his chair and ran his
hand through his thin locks until each
individual hair stood out bristling pro-
' test 81 reckon / amt bit more unjust
4. than any on EN-. If you're hintin' that
way, why in Sam Hill didn't ye take your
case afore some spiritooal court, and done
with it!"
Mr.. Grimp colored slightly. 81 think
you misunderstood me, Brother Butter
field; only used the expression in
general sense, without allusion to you,
whom / know TO be a man with clear
ideas of justice, OF else the community
had not placed you in SO responsible a
position.
The Squire's testiness at once dis
appeared, the smile came back, and
he bowed in complacent acquiescence.
But to return to my business" con-
tinued Mr.. Grimp. You doubtless
know Mrs. Barney"
81" What, Widow Ba1neyl" and the
ycomplacent look Immediately gave place
to aA unusual flush ON the questioner's
face.
{" Yes believe she is a widow. Her
husband-poor mGn-became somewhat
involved before he died but may we
hope in better world he has discovered