South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-04-28
DAVID MOSS. ATTORNEY:

"ioSS' Attorney Mt Law, was tackled on
my Office door, in Louisiana avenue
Within a few dusty books. an empty
desk, and dilapidated armchair. pro-
claimed my legal status. had waited
patiently FOR criminals and perplexed
uebtors TO rush in and seek nv advice.
out they did not rush WELL and hope
deferred had nearly made my heart sick.
on the morning of Dec. 81. 1872, /
sat disconsolate In my Office. with my
overcoat buttoned up to my chin-said
overcoat answering in lieu for fire
and took prospective glance at my ar-
fairs. My finances stood two TO five
that is five cent nickel TO a two cent
copper. The five cents would buy
glass OF beer and the two cent piece q
pretzcl. smiled at my anticipated
happiness, and took an inventory OF my
wardrobe. Like their owner, nv coat
and pants had seen better days; for nj.
though rusty and thrcadbare. they show
Ell traces OF their original color and tex
ture. l commenced to ruminate on my
condition and achieve plans for the ru-
ture. But all that 1 could bring to my
All were the words of Horace Greeley.
Go West" and You are n liar I
knew l was liar, technically speaking.
because my sign proclaimed me to be
an attorney and solicitor ut law. and We:
l had not q single case to plead before
the bar, although was nominally
member. To 30 West was TO fancy a
literal OF all my splendid possibilities.
L knew L possessed (what young man
docs not think the samc?) genius that
would astonish the world, il it could on.
ly find an outlet or an inlet.
Just as ! arrived at this point in my
reflections, the door opened. and man
closely mufiied in winter apparel stood
by my side.
"Arc you lawyer?' he said. with
questioning glance of his cool gray eyes.
That is my business | replied.
coolly. Strengthening myself TO the full
height of my five feet six.
lie smiled ut my manner, slipped Il
live dollar bill in my hand, and said,
blandly,
Il am here for advice"
This was coming to the point. l
thawed instantly, and asked my client
to be seated. Tie was middle aged
man, tall and sincwy, with black hair
sparseiy mixed with gray. His dress
and manner proclaimed him man of
wealth 1 noticed rs lie slowly seated
himself
suppose" he said, "you had an only
daughter, and she was obstinately de
termincd To marry man You despiscd
"a man whom you knew to be n villain,
but had no Means of proving?"
us your daughter of age?" [ asked.
IL did not say she was my daughter.
young man; you jump at conclusions
no able lawyer accepts anything with
out proof"
felt had suddenly changed places
with hin-that he was the attorney and
was the client: but taking no notice
of his words, I repeated the question
with variation.
us she of age?"
YES" was the reply; she is of age,
and rs obstinate as mule"
"Disinhcrit her" suggested.
"Oh," said he with shrug of his
shoulder. Il have tried everything. /
have told her she should not have n pen.
NY OF my money; have kept her on
bread and water; hired governesses to
watch her-in fact have left no stone
There remains only two methods;
Incarcerate her in lunatic asylum, or
put detectives on his track, and convict
him OF some ignoble actions" I said.
Your last suggestion is the best:
but even if 1 should convict him OF muir
der, she would imagine that it was n con.
splracy on my part, and marry him at
the gallows."
lie remained in deep thought for sew.
crnl minutes. and then said
Young man. don't think your bust.
ness is very lucrative. How would Won
like TO change it for something more
profitable?"
Change or starvation was evidently
necessity. so Of course had no obiec.
tons to offer. In fact, any escape from
my present condition seemed like n
God-send to me. impaired my will.
lngness to make any reasonable change.
W soon agreed upon terms which seem.
ca to me more than liberal, and togcth.
CT we concocted some plan TO bring the
young lady TO submission.
just as the sun from tho West was
gliding the capitol dome with it's last
beams Of departing day, the train from
baltimore came pushing in. H. was
Christmas Eve, and the busy crowds
were hurrying TO their homes.
Two days before, David Moss. aCtor.
ney and solicitor, secdY and threadbare.
had left Washington r,r Baltimore. This
evening the train brought back David
Moss, elegantly alfred gentleman"
IL - astonishing how ones dress incrcas.
es his self-respcct. No doubt Polonins
thought Of this when he said to his son.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can bay.
'or INC apparel on proclaims the man"
feelings. a few days ago so des,on.
dent, now buoycd up by hope and my
increased good looks. felt "a bappv
as king Ny mirror had told me he
same hattering tale which il tells many
belle. My ambrosial locks we're curl.
"a in style, my blonde moustacho was