Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-07-19
A Lawyers Secret.
BY G, MANvILLE PENN.

Curious cases in my profession? y
yes. plenty. [ often smile to myself
when End the novelists taking up ole
family incidents and working them up
into stories; and then 1 think OF what
plots l could heve furnished if they
had not been family secrets OF private
and thoroughly confidential character.
Wills now, for instance. What a
favorite stock subject they form with
writers, both for books and plays, and
| don't wonder at it, for if there is any
thing that excites peoples curiosity 1t
is the question Of how some rich mans
money is to be distributed.
Iremember one case that. changing
the names, 1t will be no particular
breach of confidence to mention, and l
tell it the more frankly because it is
little against myself, but must own
that did not act quite upon what IS
called the square. In fact, | played a
part-a negative kind of part, Tor did
nothing but hold my tongue. If had
spoken, it would have been 100000 or
so out OF truly honest mans POCKET
and iDo a rogue's; so, somehow, ler
my feelings get the better otmy pro-
fessional conscience, aud l said not a
word.
1 was old John Hendricks solicitor,
aud looked after his property, for had
known him when he was struggling
man and was a young lawyer with
none too much practice. Then l lost
sight of him for twenty years. at the
end of which time | was still ploddlng
along respectfully, just holding my own
and nothing more, when. going into
one of the city taverns for my regular
daily chop, which [ ate at the same
table for so many years that | bad be-
come one OF The institutions OF the
place, 1 found myself opposite to Il
yellow looking, thin gray-halred man,
who kept on looking up from his plate
to stare at me very rudely l thought.
did not r, sent his stare at first, but
81 last it became so unpleasant that
determined 10 look him down, and l
gazed firmly into bis eyes.
'Wby, it is!' he exclaimed Dick. old
boy. dOL't you know me:'
That's Jack Hendricks voice. | cx-
claimed nearly upsetting my plate; and
the next moment we were sitting there
hand clasped in hand, aud with tears IN
our eyes, looking very foolish and
weak. l dare say, to the other occu-
pants of the room; but that did not
trouble US, for we had too much 10 say
to each other.
John Hendricks told me that lie had
been in the north of India, close 10
Lepaul, for over twenty years. He had
gone out as q factor TO an indigo grower
and had become a grower himself.
; And now,' he said, 4 haSe come to
look offer my dead sisters sons and
to de-
well, old fellow said l, the first
parts right enough, but as to the dying
l think it's wen 10 leave that alone. II
will be all settled for you. The only
thiog with respect to that, speaking ms
a professional man, is to make your
will, if you have anything to leave, aud
then make the most Of your span.'-
John Hendricks was fifteen years my
senior, but we became once more the
closest of friends, for he seemed to
resume his old protective way over me,
but trusting me most fully in every re-
spect.
1t was all done in q most unosteh
talious way, but from the day of John
Hendricks return the world began to
smile on me. l had great deal Of
Or OCCASIONAL business to do for him, and
as he had most extensive connections
among old indigo planters, found them
coming to me right and lett, by his
recommendation; so that very soon in
place OF finding it very hard work Ia
keep the clerk, had very hard work
for four; and big balance at my back.
Bat l am getting on too fast.
Before long met the two .nephews
a. their uncle's quiet little house al
Chelsea, and as we sat at dinner could
n OF help thinking how kin lily fortune
was behaving to the young men tc
pl,ce them in The way OF such expecta-
tio,,s, and before l left 1t was plan
enough TO me which was The uncle't
favorite.
This was Philip, frank.faced young
fellow of two or three and twenty, very