Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-28

On a certain day in the year 1919, Mr..
Chittv. an attorney in Shaftesbury, was
leaving his Office for the day, when he
was met at the door by respectable
woman and a chubby faced boy with a
bright eve. He knew the woman slight
Iva widow that kept a small stationer's
shop in the town. She opened her
business at once. ooh, Mr.. Chitty, |
have brought vol my Robert he gives
me no peace, his heart is so set on being
in LAWYERS office. But there | have
not got the money to apprentice him.
Only We thought perhaps You could find
some place or other for him, II II was
ever so small" Then she broke of,
and looked appeahngly, and the boys
cheeks and eyes were fired with expec-
tatiOn.
Most country towns at that time pos
sesSed two solicitors that might be call
81 types the old established man,
whose firm for generations had done
the pacitic and lucrative business
wills, settlements. partnerships. mort
cages, etc. and the sharp practitioner,
who was the adler Of the two at hngs-
ton. and had to shake the plum tree
instead Of sitting under It am opening
his mouth for windfalls. Mr. Chitty
was No ,
But these sharp practitioners are very
apt % bc COod-natured, and 80, looking
al tho pleading widow and the beaming
hoy. he felt disposed to obhgc them,
and rather sorry he could not He said
nis was q small Office, and he had no
clerks place vacant; ''and indeed If |
had. he Is too young why, he Is mere
child"
Il am twelve next so and 50. SAID the
boy, giving the month ard the day.
"You don, look 1t, then said Mr..
Chittv. iucredulouSly.
Indeed hit he is, SIT" said the
widow che never looked his age, ard
writes beautiful hand"
But l tell Won I have no vacancy"
said Mr.. Chitty, turning logged.
well. thank Won sir, all the SAGE"
said tie widow, with the patience Of
her sex. Come, Robert, We mustn't
detain the gentleman.
So they turned away with diSappoint-
ment marked on their faces, the boys
especially.
Then Mr.. Chjtty said, in a hesitating
wav. TO lee sure, there Is a vacancy,
but II Is not the sort of thing for YOU"
What is IL, SIP ," asked the widow.
Well. We want an Office boy.
IAN otice-boy What do YOU say,
Eobert2 l suppose 1t is a beginning,
air. What viii he have to do -
why. sweep the office, run errands,
carry papers; and that is not what he
Is after. Look at him-he has got that
eve OF his fixed on a counselor's Wig
Won NAV depend and sweeping a coun-
try attorneys Office Is not the stepping
stone to that, he added, warily. AT
least there is nc precedent reported"
Ia, no, sir" said the widow; "he
only wants 10 turn an honest penny. and
be among Law papers.
'Ay. av; 10 write EN- and sell EN-,
but not TO dust EN-
For that matter, sir, l believe he'd
rather be the dust itself in your Office
than bide at home with me-
Here she turned angry with her Of
spring for half a moment.
And 50 / would, said Young master,
stoutlv. iudorsiug his mothers hyber-
bole very boldly, though his own mind
was not of that kind which originates
metaphors. SMILES, and engines of in
accuracy In general
Then | say no more" observed Mr..
Chi;ty; "Only mind, 1t Is half a crown a
week-tbat Is all"
The terms were accepted, and Master
Robert entered on his humble duties
He was steady, persevering, and push
ing. In less than two years he got
promoted 20 be a copying clerk. From
this in due course he became a superior
clerk. Ee studied. pushed, and per
severed. till at last he became fair
practical lawyer, and Mr.. Chitty's head
clerk. And so much for perseverance.
He remained some wears Ii this posi-
ton. trusted by his employers, and
respected too; for besides his special
Gifts as a law clerk, he was strict in
morals, and religious without parade.
In those DAYS country attorneys could
not fly 70 the metropolis and back 70
dinner. They relied much on London
attorneys, their agents. Lawyer Chitty's
agent was Mr.. Bishop, a judges clerk ;
hut in those DAYS Judges clerk had an
insufficient stipend, and was allowed to
exc il out by private practice. Mr..
Bishop was agent to several country
attorneys
Well. Chitty had a heavy case coming
on al the aSsizes, and asked Bishop to
come down, for once in way, and help
him in person. Bishop did so, and in
working the case, Was delighted with
Chitty's managing clerk. Before leav-
ing, he told Mr.. Chitty he sadly wanted
managing clerk he could rely on.
Would he oblige him, and part with
this Young man! Chitty made rather a
WY face, and said that young man was
a pearl. Il don't know what should
DO without him; why, he is my alter
ego" However, he ended by saying
generously that he would not stand in
the young mans way.
Then they had the clerk in, and put
the question to him.
Sir said he. cit is the ambition Of
nv heart n 60 10 London.