Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-02-26

"What is the first necessary step ?" in
Quired Sproul.
"Tho first step? Well, to pay coun-
sci retaining fee of-say tihy dollars
Ha, ha, ha," said Mr.. Quibble, giving
Sprou tacetious poke in the ribs. Then
we'll get our complaint filed and sum
mons issued. When it comes to trial
Wen have n jury of single men"
"Why single men ?" asked Sproul, in
terrupting.
"That's pint Wen have to make
When woman sues get single men on
the jury when man is plaintiff, choose
married ones. You sec thar's different
symperthies to work en-. And, by the
way, Sproul, what interest have you in
the result OF this actionH ? Do you expect
to marry Mrs. Snoggins if she obtains the
decree AS her lawyer l must be Pine
ed in possession of all the facts.
Mr.. Sprouts countenance, at this home
question assumed various shades from
that of picked beot down. In fact, he
would have liked little moro informa-
ton upon that very point, himself, for be-
yond few tender squeezes of the hand
which might amount to nothing, he felt
that he was going it blind" Mrs. Snog-
gins saw his embarrassment, and with in
finite tact came TO his relief.
"There has been no promise between
us Mr.. Quibble. But" she added, cast
ing down her eyes, al think | know the
state of Mr.. Sprouts feelings to'rds me,
and he orter know mine to'rds him."
Mr.. Sproul was so overoycd Mt this
answer that he instantly punglod the fifty
dollars retaining fee, and fifty more which
Quibble assured him would be needed to
"grease the j'ints" of the officers of law.
"That's all | wanted to know" said
that gentleman, as he pocketod the cash.
Now, Sproul, you keep in tho back
ground, keep shady. Won lose pint If
tho jury happen to guess you intend to
nip the plaintiff quick rs she gets clear Of
tother chap.
MIR. Quibblo took his hat and left with
the comfortable thought that one side OF
his breeches was heavier than the other
by an even hundred. The coast being
clear, Mr.. Sproul drew nearer his imam
orata.
II can scarcely realize, Eliza, that
you're soon to be my own one, pet. How
much thank you for speaking MS you
did, for though thought it was all tight,
| did not know, you know"
H. Leap Year, you know" said the
widow, archly, butt should never
have had the sand to talk so plain but for
them noble sentiments of yourn when
you ct dinner here t'other day. | must
MT, in my peculiar situation, make any
promises, but III say this /: Wait till
I'm perfectly free, then come and You
Sproul behave yourself quit now -
There was tho sound Of little scuiilc,
which wound up with noise resembling
the crack OF an OK whip. Yet when Mrs.
Spruggins entered moment after, there
was nothing unusual, except that Lily
was doin' up her back har agin, and Sproul
sot thar, lookin' about as silly as mortal
man could look"
In due time the cause of Snoggins VS..
Snoggins came on for trial, and tho who .
of Greaser Bend showed the interest il
felt in the result by attending Court that
day. Here let me say that Mr.. Quibble's
legal and forensic ability was never more
signally displayed than in conducting this
action. The Spruggins family was melt
cd to tears, and the widow who had beer
conducted to the Court-r room by her cous
in Lycurgus generally called Curg,'
for shorD, sobbed audibly. The jury
came in once for Instructions, TO ask " il
tho neglect TO send money to tho plaintiff
at her fathers house was TO be considered
n failure TO provide the common necessa-
ries of life," and being informed by the
Court that "as defendant had not tried
TO prevent her from leaving home, it GER
tainly was," returned n verdict, withou
further delay, for the plaintiff.
Mr.. Sproul felt his heart give thumT
as this verdict was announced. lie cl
bowed his way through the retiring crowd
but only reached the widow after che was
seated in the wagon with the rest, ready
TO start back to the Bend, when ho whis-
pered that he would only stay behind
long enough TO square up all little costs
etc, before coming home. But the lega
gentleman had struck pretty good lead
and he had to wait until next day, that
sundry motions in relation to costs nigh
be argued. AT last, however, the Judge
gave his decision, and Sproul called OF
the County Clerk and paid him in double
eagles.
~ reckon you might as well make me
out a license" said Sproul, when this
little formula had been gone through
"it'll save me coming TO the County Seat
again"
" A license ?" said the obliging official
" certainly, certainly ; what is 1t for ?"
"To be married, ofcourse," said Sproul
sheepishly. What are you grinning at
Is it anything strange that | should want
license 2"
"Oh, not at ALL" replied the Clerk
well, III fix it. What's the names o.
the parties ?"
Frederick Sproul and Eliza Snog
gins" said Sproul.
The broad grin on the Clerks face grew
broader, until his whole phiz was no
more than four inches long. "I'll make
you out license If you want it, Sproul
but that woman's already married."
Married Git Who is she married
to ?"
ITO her cousin, Curg Smiley. Ho go