The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-04

N,vember's sereneness turns to May,
And this bleak world is born anew.
-joel Benton, in the GALAXY for February.
SERVING THE WRIT.
By ERsKINE NJ. HAMILTON.
The small, dapper figure of Squire But.
terfield was seated in his Office one cold
winter morning, and the Squire was
vainly trying to comprehend pile FLAW
books. These books had been left by op-
posing attorneys in some case tried be-
fore him, and from the cases therein cited
he was expected to make up his decision.
Had it been any other question-geogra-
ply, astronomy, mechanics, or what
not-the Squire would have settled it at
once. He had the most thorough conf
dence in the ability of Squire Butter
field to settle nything, but now he was
perplexed. The more he studied the
more he became convinced that the
plaintiff had all the law on his side; and
so had the defendant; and that both sides
mad amply proved their case. In this be-
wildering state of mind he concluded to
take a sort of middle course, at once sat
isfac,ory to himself if to no one else, and
he had just written upon his docket,
case dismissed for want ofjurisdiction,"
when the tall, thin, somber figure of Mr..
Grimp appeared in the doorway.
Now Mr.. Grimp was an awfully SOL
emn man. Arrayed in the blacklist of
broadcloths, the stitfest of neckties, the
whitest of shirt fronts and standing col
.ars, with features cold, austere and Sc
vereiy serious, Mr.. GrImp somehow ever
suggested unpleasant thoughts of
funerals, grave clothes and cuffins. He
was professedly 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 of
death" and about "becoming food for
the worms" and such other cheerful
subjects. Cold and passionless himself
he had no mercy for the weakness or
trailty OF his fellow. exacting the most
formal religious observance in others,
and the last penny due him by his debt
ors. And he was rich.
II have called, Brother Butterfield,"
began Mr.. Grimp in slow, measul ed tones
~ have called to see you about little
matter that has been on my mind for
some time; a matter l hesitated bringing
before the courts, as l think the Scrip
ture rule should be generally followed
about going to law before the unjust,
:" Humph!" And the Squire straight
ened himself on his chair and ran his
hand through his thin locks until each
individual hair stood out bristling pro
test. II reckon amt bit more unjust
than any on 'em. Ifyou're hintin' that
way, why in Sam Hill didn't We take your
case afore some spiritooal court an done
with it ?"
Mr.. Grimp colored slightly. II think
you misunderstood me, Brother Butter
field; | only used the expression in a
general sense, without allusion to you,
whom know to be a man with clear
ideas of justice, or else the community
had not placed you in so responsible a
position"
The 'Squire's testiness at once disap-
peared, the smile came back, and he
bowed in complacent acquiescence.
But to return to my business" con-
tinued Mr.. Grimp. "You doubtless know
Mrs. Barney?"
What Widow Barney'" and the CON-
placent look instantly gave place to an
unusual flush on the questioner's face.
"Yes; l believe she is a 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 but vanity and
vexatiOn of spirit. Like us all, Brother
Bu,terfield, he brought nothing into the
world, and it is certain he carried moth
ing out"
answered the Squire, although misin,er-
preting Mr.. Grimp's moralizing.
Ahem! All, yes! l presume you
allude to the foreclosing of mortgage
held on his place. 1t was truly unpleas-
ant for me 10 do, but duty to my chill
dren, so lately deprived Of mother, i'm
PEELED me. As the Scripture says: If
any provide not for his own, especially
for those of his own house, he hath denied
the faith and is worse than an infidel'"
Better had some keer for other folks
orphans as WE'LL" muttercd the Squire;
but Mr. Grimp did not hear, and pro-
ceeded:
"Well, at the sale of MI. Barney's
place bought it in, and since then have
let Mrs. Barney have it At . nominal rent
at mere nominal rent, l assure you,
Brother Butterheld. And it is, about that
have called"
The long and short ont is, she hain't
paid the rent and youswant her put out?"
Weli-yes and no. I wish steps taken
in that direction, but not to extremes.
wo lid like process issued, but have final
measures kept in abey ance, as think the
matter may be amicably arranged"
That is, you want some scarecrow to
hold over her to bring her to terms?"
suggested the Squire, looking keenly at
his visitor.
Mr.. Grimp nodded. "You will attend
to it, Brother ButterfeTd?" he said.
I'm tend to it," said the Squire.
Then Mr.. Grimp bowed solemnly, said
"Farwe1l, Brother Buiterteld," and
passed out into the sunshine-his figure
almost too thin and dried up to cast
shadow in the bright sunlight, yet sufi-
cient to cast moral shadow and unhappi-
ness over homes and lives around and
about him. --.-.. ..z.s--
For a moment following Mr.. Grimp's
departure the 'Squire's face was full of
conflicting emotions. He arose from his
chair, and his small boot-heels clattered
on the Office floor as he paced hurriedly
to and fso.
"The old skinflint!' he muttered.
"Jest as ii didn't see through him like
q bookIy He wants to convart the widow
into Mrs. Grimp number two, an if she
amt willin'-msybe she's refused him al
ready-he wants me to make her think
she'd better he. That's what he wants.
Hs, ha! l reckon there's widower that
Widow Barney or any other woman
would jest be proud to- git; he's not q
thousand miles of, neither"-and the
Squire peused smiiingly before small
mirfor, adjusted his cellar and smoothed
the lew hairs carefully over the bald spot
on IBIS head. Not so old, after all; and
u siHnt, better looking than old Grimp!
Guess Ne didn't know who he was comm
to. did he!s. An he wants me to sarve :
writ. on Widow Barney. Georgel I'll
sarve Il. myself an git In ahead Of him!
Big Joke It'll be on. Grimp! Ha, ha"
In the psir the Squire was correct in
his ,cOgitstions. To secure the lively,
pretty, sensible young widow - a. help