The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-19
DAVID MOSS, ATTORNEY.

i had, after severe Struggle Will pOFort
caught at the skirts OF the legal professlo
A sign with gilt letters. David Moss, ATTIC
ney ut Law" was tackled ON my Office door
Louisiana Avenue. Within, q few dus
books, an empty desk and q dilapidated ar
chair proclaimed my legal status I hi
waited patiently for criminals and perplext
debtors to rush in and seek my advice; b'
they did not rush we'll, and hope deferre
had nearly made my heart sick.
On the morning of December 81, 1872,
sat disconsolately in my Office with my owe
Goat buttoned up to my chin, said overcot
answering in lieu Of fire, and took pro-
pective glance at my affairs My finance
stood two to fve-thas is fve-cent nickt
to q two-cent copper The five cents woul
buy glass of beer and the two cents
pretzel l smiled at my anticipated happ
ness, and took an inventory of my wardrobe
Like their owner, my coat and pants ha
evidently seen better days; for, althoug
rusty and threadbare, they showed traces o
their original color and texture. l com
menced TO Illuminate on my condition ant
achieve plans for the future. But all that
could bring to aid were the words of Horace
Greeley, go West" and "You are liar"
knew was o liar, technically speaking be
cause my sign proclaimed me to be an attor
ney and solicitor at law and yet had not 8
single case to plead before the bar, although
was nominally member. To go West vas
to my fancy literal of all my "splendid
possibilities. l knew | possessed (what
young man is there that does not think the
same p genius that would sstonish the world,
If it could only find an outlet or an inlet.
Just as l arrived at this point in my refec-
ton, the door of my office swung softly on
its hinges and man closely muffled in winter
apparel stood by my side.
Are you lawyer he said, with ques-
ioning 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 FIVE
dollar bill in my hand, and said. blandly:
81 have come for advice"
This was coming to the point I thawed
instantly, and asked my client to be seated.
He was middle-aged man, tall and sinewy,
with black hair sparsely mixed with gray.
His dress AMI manner proclaimed him to be
. man of wealth l noticed as he slowly
seated himself.
"Suppose," said he "you had an only
daughter, and she was obstinately determined
on marrying man that you despised-a man
whom you know to be villain, but had no
means of proving il? r
Is your daughter of age? l asked.
(" / did not say she was my daughter, young
man; you jump at CONCLUSIONS; no able law
yer accepts anything without proof"
felt that l had suddenly changed places
with him-that he was the attorney and was
the client; but taking no notice OF his words, I
repeated the question with a variation:
els she Of age?"
Yes" was the reply, "she is of age, and
as obstinate IS mule"
'Disinherit her." suggested.
"Oh," said he, with shrug of his shout |
der, IL have tried every thing. l have told |
her she should not have a penny Of my
money; | have kept her on.bread and water
hired governesses to watch her-in fact, |
have left no stone unturned."
"There remain only two methods; incar-
cerate her in an insane asylum or put detec.
tives on his track, and convict him of some
ignohle action" | said.
"Your last suggestion is the best. But
even If should convict him of murder, she
would imagine that it was conspiracy on
my part. and marry him at the gallows"
he remained in deep thought for several
minutes, and then said:
"Youpg man, l don't think your business
Is very lucrative, how would you like to
change it for something more profitable p
Change or starvation was evidently q neces-
sity for me, SO of course had no objections
to offer. In fact, any escape from my present
impaired my willingness to make any reason
lble change. We soon agreed upon terms
which seemed to me more than liberal, and
together we concocted some plan to bring the
young lady to submission.
l had some conjunction of conscience, for ,
Two against one, and that one Of the weaker
'ex, seemed hardly fair, but the novelty and
he romance, and the solid cash connected
With it, reconcled me to the situation.
1,xnA 49,
he Capitol dome with the last beams of de-
parting day, the train from Baltimore came
putting in. 1t was Christmas Eve, and the
busy crowds were hurrying to their homes
Two days before David Moss, attorney and
solicitor, seedy and threadbare, had left
for Baltimore. This evening the
rain brought back David Moss elegantly at ,
fred, gentleman. 1t is astonishing how
mes dress increases their self-respect. No +,
loubt Polodious thought Of this when he said
o his son, "Costly thy habit as thy purse can /
'uy, for the apparel oft proclaims the man."
What change it has made in my feelings. '
few days ago SO respondent, now buoye
p by hope and my increased good looks. l
eit as happy as king. My mirror had told y
ne the same fattering tale which it tells
many belle. My ambrosal locks were
urled In style, my blonde moustaohe was n
7axed to perfection, my blue eyes sparkled, g
nd my manly form was immersed in an ele- @
ant suit OF broadcloth. Besides ali this, l r
I'D cultivated becoming pallor, for was to K
nact the role OF an invalid. carriage was v
'aiting, l was assisted into it by the obsequi- RI
us footman, and sank languidly on the cnsh- Il
'ns. | was driven to an elegant mansion, n
let by my host. and almost carried to luxu- =
ous chamber l WAS too fatigued to go 4
own stairs that evening, but the amount of =,
upper which 1 contrived to swallow, and !,
inc it took to wash it down, would have A
restaurateur.
In the morning my head was SO bad that l az
'ok my coffee IN bed. AT dinner time | st
anaged, with some assistance, to get to the
ming room; and for the first time met Kate A,
.arston, the young lady whose dearest hopes h,
had come to overthrow. After the first n
ance l began to think that perhaps Mrs.
arston had made Q great mistake in bring
g me there. l never had an ideal; my busy m
70 in college, and my lack of money to live M
all afterward had allowed no margin for ~
cams. But | am sure Kate Marston EN-. ~