Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
DAVID MOSS, ATTORNEY.

aign with gilt letters, David Moss, Attorney and
Solicitor at Law" WAS taoked on my Office door.
ON Louisiana avenue. Within, = few dusty
books,an empty desk and dilspidasod arm chair
proclaimed my legal status. had waited patient
ly for criminals 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, sat
disconsolately in my Office, with my overcoat
buttoned up to my chin, said overcoat answering
IN lieu OF 3 fire, and took prospective glance
At my Affairs. My 1nauces stood two to five
that is, five cent nIokle 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 thread. bare, they showed
traces OF their original color and texture.
commenced to ruminate on my condition and
achieve plans for the future. But all that could
bring to aid we're the words Of Horace Greeley,
., m Go West" To go West was to my fancy .
literal burial of my splendid possibilities" 1
knew possessed (what young man is there that
does not think the same y genius that would
astonish the world II it could only find an outlet
or an inlet.
Just as 1 arrived at this point in my redeo-
tions, the door Of my office swung softly on It's
hinges, and man closely mufled in winter ap-
parel stood by my side.
arc you u lawyer, BIZ ne balu, WIN q qu6b-
tioning glance of his steel gray eyes.
=. That is my business" returned coolly,
strengthening myself to the full height Of my
five feet six.
He smiled at my manner. slipped five dollar
bill in my hand and said, blandly:
~ have come for advice"
This WAS coming to the point. l thawed in
stantly, and asked my client to be seated.
He was a middle-aged man. tall and sinewy,
with black hair sparsely mixed with gray. His
u,.I .l.s.. ~11 IL. -
wealth. noticed this as he slowly seated him
self.
"Suppose," said he, "you had an only daugh-
ter, and she was obstinately determined on mar
rying man that you despised-a man whom
you knew to be villain, but had no means Of
proving it"
"Is your daughter of age 2" 1 asked.
"I did not say she WAS my daughter, young
man, you jump at conclusions no able lswyer
accepts anything without proof"
l felt that had suddenly changed places with
him-that he was tho attorney and was the
client but taking no notice Of his words, re-
pested the question with variation.
rs she OF age?"
"Yes, was the reply, "she is Of lage, and As
obstinate mule"
"Disinherit," suggested.
"Oh, said he, with shrug Of his shoulder,
~ have tried everything. have told her she
should not have penny OF my money, have
kept her on bread and water hired q governess
turned
There remains, only two methods incarcer-
ate her in an insane asylum or put detectives on
his track, and convict him OF some ignoble
action, said.
Your last suggestion is the best. But even
IL I should convict him Of murder she would i'm
sgine that it was conspiracy on my part, and
marry him at the gallows."
He remained in deep thought for several min
utes. and then said
Young man, don't think your business is
very lucrative. How would you like to change
it for something more proftaole2"
Change or starvation WAS evidently necessity
for me, 30 Of course had no objections to offer.
In fact, any escape from my present condition
seemed like God 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 submission.
had some oompunction OF conscience, for
sex, seemed hardly fair, but the novelty and tho
romance and the solid cash connected with it
reconciled me to the situation.
- - -
Just as the sun from the west WAS gliding the
Capitol dome with the last beams of departing
day, the train from Baltimore came putting in.
It was Christmas eve and the busy crowds we're
hurrying to their homes.
Two days before David Moss, attorney and
solicitor seedy and thread-bare, had left Wash
brought back David Moss. elegantly attired,
Gentleman 1t is astonishing how ones
dress increases their se'f-respect. No doubt
Polonious thought Of this when he said to his
son : Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
for the apparel oft proclaims the man."
What a change it had made in my feelings !!
A few days ago 30 despondent now buoyed up
by hope and my increased good looks. felt as
happy az a king. My mirror had told me the
same hattering tale which it tells many belle.
Me- o,,,Ir aial lpplr uar in II
blonde moustache WAS waved to perfection, my
blue eyes sparkled, and my manly form WAS i'm
mersed in an elegant suit Of broadcloth. Be-
sides all this. had cultivated becoming pallor,
for WAS to enact the role OF an invalid. car
riage WAS waiting. / was assisted into it by the
obsequious footman, and sank languidly on the
cushions. WAS driven to an elegant mansion,
met by my host, and almost arrived to lu1uri-
ous chamber WAS too fatgued to go down
| stairs that evening, but the amount OF supper
which contrived to swallow, and the wine it
took to wash it down, would have astonished 3
restaursteur.
In the morning my head WAS 80 bad that
| took my coffee in bed.
At dinner time / managed, with some assis-
| tance, to get to the dning-room, and for the
| first time met Kate Marston, the young lady
whose dearest hopes had come to overthrow.
After the first glance began to think that per-
haps old Mr.. Marston had made grave mistake
| bringing me there. never had an ideal, my
| busy life in college and my money to live st all
| afterward had allowed no margin for dreams.
| But am sure Kate Marston embodied all the ell
| ements which would have composed my ideal II
| I had possessed one.
She was small, perfect brunette, with glor-
ious eyes, which might sparkle with love OF
hate; red lips and checks, lustrous black hair,
white, shspely teeth, and, in fact, everything
| which is charming in woman. She treated me
veny kindly, very gently, because l, her fathers
| friend, WAS an invalid. II had been apparent.
ly strong and hearty, she would have suspected
| her fathers motives, and met every advance
with rebuff. He had brought several eligible
young men to his house, but Kate had SEM
| them about their business in anything but I
complimentary style. All the ladies who hac
been hired as companion she had won over e
her cause. They sbetted her in her disobedi'
ence and were discharged in disgrace. 1t wa;
planned that while drawing on her sympathy
and seeking kindly offices from her, should
watch over her, keep with her as mnch IS
could, and excite, If possible, the jealousy of hei
lover, and tempt him to some desperate action
i felt Immediately that it would be . pleasant
task, although had I been, as appeared,
young man OF landed estate, would have en-
tered into it with great zeal. For few day
everything progressed smoothly. Kate was as
siduous in her attentions to my comfort.
would lie on the sofa, and she would read to mt
in her dulcent tones. I enjoyed this heartily
for she was really good reader, and Tennysoi
or Byron from her lips was the sweetest mus
to me.