Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-10-01
DAVID MOSS, ATTORNEY.

HAD, after a severe struggle with Dov-
erty, caught at the skirts of the legal pro.
fession. A sign with gilt letters, " David
Moss, Attorney and Solicitor at Law"
was tackled on my Office door on Louis
lana avenue. Within, a few dusty books,
an empty desk and a dilapidated arm
chair proclaimed my legal status. l had
waited patiently for criminal and perplexed
debtors to rush in and seek my advice, but
they did not rush well, and hope deferred
had nearly made my heart sick.
On the morning of Dec. 81, 1872, / sat
disconsolately in my office, with my over.
coat buttoned up to my chin, said over
coat answering in lieu of fire, and took
a prospective glance at my affairs. Ny
finances stood two to five-that is, five.
cent nickel to a two-cent copper smiled
at my anticipated happiness and took an
inventory of my wardrobe. Like their
owner, my coat and pants had evidently
seen better days; for, although rusty and
threadbare, they showed traces of their
original color and texture. j commenced
TO ruminate on my condition and achieve
TTlans for the future. But all that could
uIeeIey: "Gn uf,-.'ao words af n n t..
s5eessed what young man is there that does
not think the sameO genius that would
astonish the world if it could only ma an
outlet or an lnlel.
lust as | arrived at this point in my
reflections the door OF my office swung
softly on its hinges and man closely
muffied in winter apparel stood by my
side. :, II,
I" Are YOU a lawyer, sir?" he said, with
a questioning glance of his steel-gray
eyes. -,
:" That is my business" l returned
coolly, Strengthening myself to the full
height of my five feet six.
He smiled at my manner, slipped a flye
dollar bill in my hand and said, blandly
az have come for advice"
This was coming to the point. l
thawed instantly and asked my client tc
be seated.
He was middle-aged man, tall anC
sinewy. with black hair sparsely miXet
with gray. His dress and manner pro
claimed him man of wealth. noticed
this as he slowly seated himself.
Suppose" said he, "you had an onl,
daughter and she was obstinately deter
mined on marrying man that you dc
: spised-a man whom you knew to .
} a villain, but had no means OF provir
it?"
"Is your daughter of age?" l asked.
u did not say she was my daughie
young man; you jump at conclusions; n
able lawyer accepts anything wltho'
I proof"
felt that / had suddenly change
places with him-that he was the attornt
and was the client; but, taking no notl'
: of his words, l repeated the question WI
q a variation.
" Is she of age?"
"Yes," was the reply; "she Is oi ag
n and as obstinate as mule
a Disinherit her." suggested.
/. ooh" said he, with a shrug OF /
d shoulder. 81 have tried everything.
e have told her she should not have pen
Is of NV money; | have kept her on bre
ct and water; hired governesses to watch i
E. i'm fact, l have left no stone unturneC
b. "There remain only two methods:
B; carcerate her in an insane asylum, or
st detectives on his track and convict nm
some ignoble action" l said:
:, ''Your last suggestion is the best !
3f even if L should convict him of mur'
- she would imagine that il was a G
,g spiracy on my part and marry HIM at
he gallows."
u u He remained in deep thought for s
al eral minutes, and then said:
od "Young man, don't think your b
ae ness is very lucrative. How would
MI like to change it for something m
proftable?"
Change or starvation was evident
by necessity for me, so of course had no
he iections to offer. In fact, any escape Il
ng my present condition seemed Ike
send TO me- | impaired my wllllngr
ed, to make any reasonable change. Yves
'% agreed upon terms which seemed to
tal more than liberal, and together conco'
ms some plan to bring the young lady TO
'hc mission. Er.. -.
lrs, I had some compunctiOn of console
ave for two against one, and that one OF
700 weaker sex seemed hardly fair, but
novelty and the romance, and the
ltes cash connected with 1t, reconciled II
ed, the situation. 4. .
TO- Just as the sun from the west was
,OO; ing the Capitol dome with the last be
,ap- OF departing day the train from BaltiI
rley came putting in. II was Christmas
and end the busy crowds were hurryir
in their homes.
port Two days before David Moss, alto
! and Solicitor, seedy and threadbare,
yew left Washington for Baltimore.
nne evening the train brought back u
,me- Moss, elegantly attired, "Gentlen
, an Ii is astonishing how ones dres
[an. creases their self-respect No doubt
and onius though of this when he said
rop. son: !,
and Costly thy habit as thy purse can bu
,rep. For the apparel Oft proclaims the n
Oh is What change il had made in my
hieh ingsl A few days ago so despon
-, hnn,,ad nm Inv hone and IN,