The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-04


legal acumen.
Excuse my interrupting you one moment
Mr.. Ward" and rang the bell. Blobbs en-
tered.
ssBlobbs, give me 'Chitty on Contracts
and then 60 and ask Mr.. Cocksures clerk to
oblige me with the loan of the sixth volume
of "Meeson and Welsby.' 1 think can
give you a case just in point, Mr.. Ward"
Blobbs handed me entity on Contracts
which in point OF fact was on the mantel-
piece Immediately behind me, and departed
tie execute the remainder of my order. I re.
ferred to the index, murmuring audibly:
Consideration good-valuable-
page 49," then turned to the passage and
silently perused it with much attention.
"Ah, yes, l thought sop
Blobbs here returned with the borrowed
volume, in which, with an air of deep re-
Election, turned to an imaginary authority.
''Ne, that won't do. had forgotten for the
moment that that case was overruled by
Jones VS.. Robinson. Pray proceed, Mr..
Ward"
Mr.. Ward had more than once attempted
to continue his story, but, with gentle wave
of the hand, had courteously yet firmly
deprecated interruption. He resumed apollo
getically-
SPIN afraid Pm giving you good deal of
trouble, Mr.. Browne"
'Not at all, Mr.. Ward, assure you. 1
always like to make sure, from the outset, as
to the broad principles applicable"
"Quite so, sir, very true. But am afraid
there is little misunderstanding"
81 think not. I have followed you with
great attention. A married BIS daughter c
on the faith of an undertaking by B that he
will, on his death, leave G the whole of his
property; B that's Club, you know dies,
and he does not leave the property to G.
CHATS Mrs. Podgers) but to somebody else.
Isn't that your case?" And I leaned back
in my chair and eyed him with deny-if-you-
can sort of expression.
"Just exactly so, sir. If you'd been one
of the family yourself you couldn't have got
it more pat. They all went on as comforta-
BILE as possible till, one Sunday, the old gen.
tleman dined with the Podgerses, and he
found caterpillar in the vegetables. He
would have it they did it on purpose. He
went home at once, tore up his will and made
another, leaving every penny of his money
to the asylum for incuIable clear-starchers.
The excitement brought on an apoplectic fit,
and he died the very same night. Personal
ity sworn under e25,000; and Podgers all
but IN the Gazette"
began to fear that the case would prove
to be chancery matter, and that my share
in it would be limited to giving Mr.. Ward an
elaborateeopinion to that effect. But it clear
ly would not do to make any suggestions of
the kind at the present stage of the proceed
ings.
''Ah, Just as thought, you see." tried
to look as if had anticipated every detail of
the case, even to The caterpillar. swell, now,
the question is, what evidence have we, first,
of a distinct agreement on the part of B other
wise Glubb) to leave all his property to his
daughter, and secondly, that A otherwise
Podgers) married on the faith of that prom
Use. You hear what Chitty says: "A valu-
able consideration is such as money, mar
rage, or the like, which the law esteems an
equivalent given for the grant, and is there
fore founded on motives Of justice" That's
the law; but how about the facts? Mere
assertion won't do, yon know; we must have
evidence"
''Well, as to evidence, Pm afraid there isn't
much in legal sense. Mr.. Cocksure has ad-
vised upon the case, and he says that we
haven't any evidence; in fact, that we
haven't leg to stand upon"
1t was fiattering and at the same time a
little alarming, to be consulted in a case in
which Mr.. Cocksure had already expressed
an adverse opinion. If Mr.. Cocksure was
timid had better be at least cautious.
"You will have uphill work before you,
I'm afraid, and should recommend you,
course, between ourselves to see your way
very clear as to your costs out of pocket.
The Incurable Clear-starchers will fight hard.
sir, you may depend on it,"
20 dear, yes, sir; no doubt they would.
But we've quite made up our minds not to 20
to law about the matter. 1t would only be
throwing good money after bad leastways it
would, if we had any to throw; but we
haven't. Podgers ran away to America last
Monday, and his poor wife and five young
children are this moment living in two-pair
back in Camden town, sustaining miserable
existence on the scanty remains of the stock
in trade.
A horrible misgiving crossed my mind, and
shut up Chi.ty..
81 thought mean to say T supposed-I
really don't quite see, then, in what way I
can be Of service in the case, Mr.. Ward.'
swell, you see, sir, Mr.. Wiggin told me as
you was an uncommon kind-hearted gentle
man, so / made bold to call and ask if you
wouldn't put down your name for trife for
9he widow and orphans-not that Mrs. P. is
precisely widow, nor yet the children exact
ly orphans, but rather worse if anything, in
my opinion, and another expected almost i'm
mediately, sir"
was fairly caught. Not for worlds would
I have let Mr.. Ward know that had been la
boring under Misrepresentation, and had
been mentally welcoming him as my first eli
ent. On the other hand, after the extreme
interest had exhibited in the case, I could
not do less than give him handsome dona-
ton. Smiling amiaply. but inwardly breath
ing the most awful imprecations against Wig
gins land very nearly vowing on the spur of
the moment, never to have my hair cut again
as long as lived), expressed my extreme
qualification at having the opportunity of
contributing sovereign to the necessities of
the Podgers family. Mr.. Ward beamed with
delight, and pressed on my acceptance his
card, assuring me that, if / should at any
time require anything in his line, it would be
his most earnest endeavor-these words bv
the way, he apparently spelt with an h-to
give me satisfaction. He insisted on shaking
hands at parting. and appeared 10 find con-
siderable difficulty In tearing himself away.
At last, however, he departed, leaving me
still holding his card, whereon read:-
GIBBINs & WARD,
Greengrocers,
1876 High street,
Bloomsbury.
Evening parties attended
My one absorbing thought, as soon az
could think at all, was how on earth to con-
ceal the facts from Armitage-what possible
fiction to invent which would save my digni-
ty from the exposure OF the horrible truth.
What dreadful falsehood l might ultimately
have given birth to cannot say, for l was
saved from the ordeal by hearing burst, or
rather succession of bursts, of frantic laugh
ter from the rooms to which Armtage had
retired. Ipushed the door, which yielded
to my touch. My worst fears were realized |
he knew all. He was lying upon the bed,
his feet considerable above his head, cram
ming pocket handkerchief in his mouth,
and every now and then breaking out afresh
into peal of maniac laughter.
''Well, Browne, cid boy, l hope you've
given the new client good sound legal opin-
ion. Oh, dear, my poor sidesl Where shall
we have the dinner. eh, old man?'
"Come, Frank" said, addressing him
more in sorrow than in anger, ''don't add in
suit to injury. You've had the door ajar,
you scoundre; so needn't tell you any par
ticulars. But at any rate promise to keep