The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-07-26
The Lady Who Painted,
MY FIRST WEALTHY CLIENT.

of the hypo were having It all their own
way, running in mad riot through my
brain.
sat with my chair tipped back and
my feet elevated to the top of high desk.
1 was smoking furiously, aud reviewing
my miserable situation.
Had L been woman, / should have
INDUCED in a good cry. AS it was, 1
uttered few mild oaths, for which j
trust may be pardoned.
Please, sir" whined my ofilce.boy,
"as there amt no copying wanted, and
amt no business doing,
"You can GO to the circus and be
hanged to you !" cried l. "Clear out ~
And he cleared.
was alone in the world. A grabbed
bachelor uncle had given me an educa.
tion, and seen me admitted to the bar,
and then turned me adrift to shift for
myself My Office was cozy but owed
for my rent; had tolerable collection
of law books; owned the clothes ON
my back.
was desperately in love with pretty
Nelly Rogers, whose parents had smiled
upon me in the days when L was regard
ed as the prospective heir of rich man,
but turned the cold shoulder ever since
they recognized the fact that l was an
impecunious young man, with my own
way to make in the world. L hung out
my shingle with the legend upon it,
Arthur Linden, Attorney and Coun.
sellor at Law" but my modest little
bait had hooked no fish.
=" Bad debts no money; clothes get
ting shady and invited to party at
Nelly's," groaned 1.
Then l varied my mournfu ditty,
and reflected
Young and strong. but poor as II
church mouse, and desperately in love.
Nothing for me but the poor r-house!"
L tossed away the stump of my cigar
angrily.
IF this thing last much longer, 1 shall
take to the road, q tu Dick Turpin ~
cried l desperately.
Then came quick, decided rap at my
door, A cold shiver ran down my back.
thought of Mephistopheles coming to
claim one DIR. Fautus.
"Come i'm" managed to calculate.
The door opened, and there stood Gen.
Pomeroy, whose jolly face and portly
form were familiar to every body in town.
"What the deuce can he. want of me?"
was my mental query
My. Arthur Linden, believe"
You are right, sir"
MY name is Pomeroy, General
Pomeroy."
Il am pleased to make your acquain-
tance, general"
II trust you can spare me u little of
your valuable time.''
Il would pitch you out.of doors if /
thought you understood the irony of
that !" was my thought; but it did not
pass my lips. Instead said aloud
I'm quite at leisure this afternoon,
sir.n
particular business" faltered the
general with a very deep blush, and the
suggestion of a simper.. Every delicate
affair. BY the by, Mr.. Linden, have
heard glowing accounts of your discre-
ton, and understand that you are not
married 20
81 am not"
"Nor engaged : Pardon the apparent
rudeness of the question. No dis
courtesy intended, 1 assure you"
"I'm not engaged, sir,-not matri-
monially."
$50 have been informed, otherwise
/ should not have chosen to trouble you
with my business. Woman are the
deuce to worm secrets from man that"
II trust, general, that L should re-
spect professional condolences, whether"
"Oh, to be sure. / dare say. No Of
fence But this is very peculiar case,
a ticklish matter, a ve.ery delicate piece
of business, you see, Mr.. Linden"
Then bending toward me and sinking
his voice to wisper.-
81 am about to be sued for breach of
promise"
SIS it possible !" exclaimed, in sur
prise.
I'm in bad scrape, Mr.. Linden"
g should think so, general but we
must never let the case come into court
we must compromise. 1t would put
a gentleman occupying your prominent
position in very awkward, embarrass,
ing
"Yes, yes, know all that But /
cannot help myself. 1t must be gone
., x,.ith bax,a IoaiJol 4LuA