Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-11-19
1iu&E: ATTORNEY.

31s ESs ISsAaSe-'s ATTORNEY.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. struggle with poyel
II caught ut Tie skirts of the legal profe,
Y sion. a sign with gilt letters, '.Dayi
Moss, Attorney and Solicitor at Law,
was tackled on my office door on Louisian
avenue. Within few dusty books, al
empty desk and dlapidated arm chair
proclaimed my legal status. had waite,
patiently for criminal and perpexed deb
tors tn rush in and seek my advice, bu
they did not rush well hope deferred haC
almost made my heart sick. On the morn
ING OF December 2lst. 1871, | sat disoon
solately In my office, with my ovorcoat
outtoned up to my chin, said overcoat all
swering IN lieu of fire, and took prospec-
tive glance at my affairs. My finances stood
two live, that is a five cent nickel to a two
cent copper. The five cents would buy q
glass OF beer and the two cents q pretzel.
L smiled at my anticipated happiness, and
took an inventory of my ward robe. Like
their owner, my coat and pants had evi-
IDENTIFY seen better days, for, although rus
ty and threaGbare, they showed traces of
their original color texture. commenced
to ruminate on my condition and achieve
plans for the future. But all could bring
to aid me were the words of Horace Greely,
"Go West" and you are liar" | knew
was liar technically speaking, because
| I,,, L.
and solicitor at law, and yet had not had
single case TO plead before the bar, al
though ! was nominalIy Q member. To
60 west was to my fancy literal burial OF
al my splendid possibilities. | knew 1
possessed (what young man is there that
Goes not think the same p genius that
would astonish the world il il could only
ind an outlet. Just as | arrived Mt this
point in my reflections, the door of my of.
tce swung softly on ila hinges, and a man
closely muffied in winter apparel stood by
my side.
Are you lawyer, sir p he said. with
Questioning glance in his steel gray eyes
That is my business, returned, cody
strengthening myself to the full! height of
NY five feet six.
He smiled at my manner, clipped q
! I've COLLAR note in ny hand, and said |
/ bl'ndly, L have come for advice
This was coming to the point. l thaw-
ed instantly anu asked my client to be
stited.
lie was middle aged man, tall and
sirEwy with black hair, sparsely mixed
with gray. His dress and manner pro-
cla med him man of wealth. | noticed
this as he slowly seated himself.
Suppose said he, you had an only
daughter. and she was obstinately deter
mind on marrying n man that you de-
spls.d, man whom you knew TO be a vii
lain but had DO means of proving it,
'B your daughter of age p | asked.
Ibid not say she was my daughter,
young man you jump at conclusions !; no
able lawyer accepts anything without
proof
felt that had suddenly changed places
with hm-that he was the attorney and l
was tht client, but taking no notice of his
words, l repeated the question.
rs sic of age?'
Yes was the reply, she is of age and
as obstinate as a mule
'Disnheril her. suggested
Or said he, with shrug of his shoul-
der, Ihave tried everything l have told
her sic shouldn't have a penny of my mo-
ney ; / have kept her On bread and water
hiredi governess to watch her, in fact, I
have Eft no stone unturned.'
'Tlere remain only two methods incar- q
ceratther in an insane asylum or put de- |
tectivs on his track and convict him of
some gnoble action, said. /
'Gur last suggestion is the BEST But |
even | should convlct him of murder she G
wouli imagine that it was cOu.riracy on I
my part. and marry him at the gallows. ,
Fl, remained in deep thought for several
Minutes and then said Young man
don't think your business is very lucrative
hoN would you like to change it for some
thirg more profitable p
Change or starvation was evidently q
necessity for rue. SO of course l had no {
objections to offer. In fact any escape
from my present condition was like god i
send to me. impaired my willingness to :
make any reasonable change. We soon !
agreed upon terms which seemed to me {
more than liberal and together concocted ,
some plan to bring the young lady to sub {
mission.
l had some compunction of conscience,
for two against one, and that one of the
weaker sex, seemed hardly fair but the ;
novelty ard the romance and the solid cash {
connected with it, reconciled me to the sit {
uation.
CHAPTER II.
Just as the sun from the west was gliding
the Capitol dome with the last CLEANS of
departing day, the train from Baltimore
came putting in. 1t was ChristNas eve,
and The 3usy crowds we.v hurrying to their ;
homes.
Two days before, David Moss, attorney
and solicitor, seedy and threadbare, had
left for Baltimore. This evening the train
brought back David Moss an elegantly
attired gentleman. 1t is astonishing how
ones dress increases their self respect. N"i
doubt Polonlus thought Of this 0n ,0
said to his son, Costly ~ hdo'' "s my
purse can buy, for the apparel oft prociaims
the man.
What change it had made in my feel
ings few days ago so despondent, now
buoyed up by hope and my good looks, l
felt as happy as a king. My mirror had
told me the same flattering tale which 1t
tells many a bell. My ambrosial locks
were cured in style, my blonde moustache
was waxed to perfection, my blue eyes
sparkled, and my mannerly form was I'M
messed in an elegant suit OF broadcloth.
Besides all this, had cultivated becom-
pallor, for was to enact the role of invalid.
A carriage was waiting, was assisted into
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