Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-09-18
DAVID MOSS, ATTORNEY.

l had, after severe struggle with
poverty, caught at the skirts of the
legal profession. A sign with gilt let
ters, "David Moss, Attorney and So
hcitor at Law" was tackled on my office
door on Louisiana avenue. Within, a
few dusty books, an empty desk and q
dilapidated armchair proclaimed my
legal status. I 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 December 21st,
1872, I sat disconsolately in my Office,
with my overcoat buttoned up to my
chin, said overcoat answering in lieu of
a fire, and took prospective glance at
my affairs. My finances stood two to
five-that is, a fve-cent nickle to two
cent copper. I 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 thread
bare, they showed traces of their origi-
nal color and texture. I commenced to
ruminate on my condition and achieve
plans for the future. But all that 1
could bring to aid were the words of
Horace Greeley, $50 West" To go
West was to my fancy literal burial of
all my "splendid possibilities" Iknew
I possessed (what young man is there
that does not think the sameO genius
that would astonish the world if it could
only find an outlet or an inlet.
Just as I arrived at this point in my
reflections, the door of my Office swung
softly on its hinges, and a man closely
muffled in winter apparel stood by my
side.
care you lawyer, sir9" he said, with
a questioning glance of his steel gray
eyes.
"That is my business" I returned,
coolly, Strengthening myself to the full
height of my five feet six.
He smiled at my manner, slipped 9
fve-dollar bill in my hand, and said
blandly:
"I have come for advice" i"
This was coming to the point. thaw
ed instantly, and asked my client to be
seated.
He was a middle-aged man, tall and
sinewy, with black hair sparsely mixed
with gray. His dress and manner pro
claimed him man of wealth. Noticed
this as he slowly seated himself.
"Suppose, said he, "you had al
only daughter, and she was obstinately
determined on marrying man that yor
despised-a man whom you knew to b.
villain, but had no means of proving
it ?"
"Is your daughter of age9" asked.
81 did not say she was my daughter
young man You jump at conclusions
no able lawyer accepts anything withou
proof"
felt that I had suddenly changed
places with him-that he was the attor
ney and I was the client but, taking n,
notice of his words, repeated the ques
ton with variation.
rs she of age9" ..-.
eyes" was the reply, " she is of age
and as obstinate as mule" ...
"Disinherit her." suggested.
"Oh," said he, with shrug of hi
shoulder, "I have tried everything.
have told her she should not have
penny of my money I have kept her O
bread and water hired governesses t
watch her-in fact, have left no ston
unturned .t..t j#
"There remains only two methods
incarcorate her in an insane asylum, @
put detectives on his track, and convic
him of some ignoble action" I said.
"Your last suggestion is the best
But even if should convict him of mul
der she would imagine that it was cor
spiracy on my part, and marry him at th
gallows. +"
He remained in deep thought for se'
eral minutes, and then said
"Young man, 1 don't think your bus
ness is very lucrative. How would yo
like to change it for something MOI
profitable p
Change or starvation was evidently
necessity for me, so of course had L
objections to offer. In fact, any escaI
from my present condition seemed Ill
God-send to me. I impaired my wi
ingness to make any reasonable chang
We soon agreed upon terms which seer
ed to me more than liberal, and togeth
concocted some plan to bring the your
lady to submission.
I had some compunction of co
science, for two against one, and th
one of the weaker sex, seemed hard
fair, but the novelty and the romano
and the solid cash connected with
reconciled me to the situation.
just as the sun from the west W
gliding the Capitol dome with the ls
beams OF departing day, the train fro
Baltimore came putting in. 1t W