The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-03-29
A YOUNG LAWYERS HIT

III was the glOomlest OF gloom
days. There was not one redeem
ing feature about it. If it had onl
rained, there might have been mus
in the DROPS; if it had showed, "
might have ''lived over" the beaut
full poem but it did neither, an
now, late in the afternoon, the a
was a thick, damp vapor, and th
street ankle deep with slush an
mud that an unpaved western tow
supplies so beautifully and readil,
Then again, the life of the youn
attorney is not always one of whil
and excitement and pleasurable n
suits. Not a living soul except
bootblack-just as if he would eve
need bootblacks again-had entere
the door that day. In vain had
tried to give my mind over to tn
arbitrary statutes, and then in de
spair sought the more inviting stim
ulent of Regina VS.. Reynolds eve
the gossip of a great leading cas-
failed to inspire me, and YEARLY
turned from my books TO m,
thoughts, and from my thoughts t
my gloom.
1t was just then, before had as
cended to the realms of suicidal pun
pose-for | walk that way slowly
that the door knob hesitatingly, eau
tiously turned, and WAS hard a
work again, pen in hand. with on
eye on the paper and the other oil
the door.
| won't make diagnosis of jus
how fast my heart was beating, i
peradventure the door would open
and somebody that was somebody
should come in. l could endur'
the suspense no longer, l looked
squarely up.-The door had opened
and, though the evening shadow
were gathering thick and fast,
could see that my visitor was il
dress and manner lady-the mos
significant word in the greatest o
languages. Her veil conc' aled he
face, but, old or young, ugly or pref
ty, her thoughts probably were
Heres a young man-very young
he hasn't much experience-don'
think he ever did much work before
l would help him, but it don't hell
me. had better look"
But 1 interrupted my own fore
bodings by springing to my feet with
a "Good evening, madam. Step in
Pm through with the matter il
hand-a little pressed now, with
term time upon us, but have ar
hour to spare-such dull day
Sit down y and my first triumph
was won, for she was seated.
Then swept my books from mt
with an air of relief, as if any prob
lem she might agitate would bt
child's play compared TO what / had
Just passed through.
| had not yet so much as
caught the color of her eyes, and
couldn't but wonder why she KEEP
her veil down so closely unless she
was meditating a sudden flight tt
the office of the bald-headed wretch
across the way, who had few gray
hairs and more experience, yor
know-but bad attack of rheuma
tism, too, thank heaven which
devoutlv trusted was keeping h,n
home on such a day as this.
II want YOU to write WILL" sh'
suddenly began, in a half haltinl
voice.
Certainly. madam" answered
nobly resolving to strengthen th'
faith within her, and | pulled hal
quire of legal cap toward rae, anC
thought of the solemn opening ane
the weighty :ormalities of its publ
cation.
"It's to be my husbands will,
she added. "He dare not come ou
on such day as this" and she shiv
cred so prettily that was reconcileG
with the weather for the first time
that day.
Hadn't better come to youl
house ?" | ventured to suggest.
"Oh, no not now" she answered
with little sigh. 1T might excite
him too much. But he may be bet
ter tonight, and l will send the car
riage for you then. 1t will not max.
anv difference will it, about the viii
being binding ?" and something
told me she was peering anxiously
at ine.
"Of course, madam, if he then full
lv and voluntarily adopts it as his
it is Just the same as if ] took all
down from his own lips"
"Well, we want-he wants-te
leave all his property to me, with
full powers as executrix-and | am
to take charge of his only child and
make for her such allowance as
shall think WISE"
What is your daughters name 2
"She is not my daughter" she an
swered with the slightest token o.
gathering animation in her voice.
"Ah, yes just So" said nervous
ly fumbling with the paper. "She':
your step-daughter ~
"Yes, sir"
whats her name ?"
"Mabel Cecil" she haltingly
spoke.
"A deuced pretty name i re
marked to myself. II wonder wha
she wants to stumble SO over pro
nouncing it?" And then l tried t.
forget all about it, as ! took up my
pen and began '1--I-
All ! pardon me, madam. but whati
YOUR husbands name?"
What fools men are when littl'
excited, especially young lawyers
sitting up with an early case.
Robert E. Cecil"
81, Robert E. Cecil, of the count.
of Herkimer, and State Of, d.
make and publish this my last viii
and testament
0T c;va honueafh and devise I,