Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-02-27
Serving the Writ.

The small dapper figure of Squire
Butterfeld was seated in his Office one
cold winter morning, and the Squire was
vainly trying to comprehend pile of
law books. These books had been left
by opposing attorneys in some case
tried before him, and from the cases
therein cited he was expected to make
up his decision. Had it been any other
question-geography, astronomy, me-
chanics, or what not-the Squire would
have settled it at once. He had tho
most thorough confidence in the ability
of Squire Butterfeld to settle anything
but now he was perplexed. The more
he studied, the more he became con-
vinced that the plaintiff had all the law ON
bas side; and so had the defendant; and
that both sides had amply proved their
case. In this bewildering state of mind
he concluded to take a 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 SOM
bre figure of Mr.. Grimp appeared in
the doorway.
Now Mr.. Grimp was an awfully SOL
emn man. Arsayed IN the blackest Of
hroadcloths, the stiffest of neckties, the
whitest OF shirt fronts and standing coll
lars, with features cold austere, and Sc
verely serious. Mr.. Grimp somehow
ever suggested unpleasant thoughts of
funerals, grave clothes and coffins. He
was very religious man, too-very.
In prayer meeting. class meeting, and
on other occasions his monotonous,
sepulchral, metallic voice was frequently
heard speaking of the "shortness OF
life," the "certainty,sof DEATH" and
about becoming i" food for the worms"
and such other cheerful subjects. Cold
and passionless himself, he had no mer-
cy for the weakness or frailty of his
fellow, exacting the most formal relig-
ious observance in others, and the last
penny due him by his debtors. And he
was rich. f
Il have called, Brother Butterfeld," !"
began Mr.. Grimp in slow measured
tones--"I have called to see you about
little matter that has been on my mind
for some time; o matter I hesitated
bringing before the courts, as think
the Scriptural rule should be generally
followed about going to law before the
unjust, and" IA
Humphr' and the Squire straight
ened himself on his chair and ran his
hand through his thin locks until each
individual hair stood out q bristling pro-
test, " I reckon I amt bit more un-
Just than any ON 'em. If you're hintip'
that way, why in Sam Hill didn't ye
take your case afore some spiritooal
court, and have done with it p sxa.
MIR. Grimp colored slightly. 81
think you misunderstood me, Brother
Butterfeld; only used the expression
in o general sense, without allusion to
you, whom ] know to be q man with
clear ideas Of justice, or else the COM
munity had not placed you in SO respcn-
sible position r,e IA
The Squire's testiness at once disap-
peared, the smile came back, and he
bowed in acknowledged acquisscence.
" But to return TO my business, = con-
tinued MIR. Grimp. "You doubtless
know Mrs. BarneyT
% /" What, Widow Barney p and the
complacent look Immediately gave place
to an unusual flush on the questioner's
face. 'l7l @s''7as.i fs5t8 8saFif' 'i'st'1s Y
Yes; / believe she IL d widow. Her
husband-poor man-became somewhat
involved before he died; but may we
hope in better world he has discovered
the things Of earth to be hut vanity and
vexation OF spirit. Lake Us all, Brother
Butterfeld, he brought nothing into the