News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-12-28
PHGBE'S SPECULATION
BY JUDGE CLARK.

| BY JUDGE CLARK.
1t was my first case of Importance
and had taken it on speculation. If
succeeded, it would not only be feather
In my cap, but neat sum in my pocket
if didn't, it would be at the cost of q
deal of labor wasted and sound legal
drubbing at the hands of Naboth Twys-
colt, who appeared on the other side.
The fight was long and bitter, but
ended in swinging verdict for my eli
| ent.
"WIl Jundle pay up, or shall I issue
an execution ?" 1 asked Twyscott little
jubilantly, as we left the courtroom.
With the tip of his right forefnger,
Twyscott pulled down his left under eye
lid, and with a tantalizing wink in
quired:
"Do you see anything green, Nh.
Craye ?"
Next day he filed a motion for new
trial on forty-seven several grounds.
The judge, after hearing argument, over
ruled the motion. But Twyscott didn't
surrender. He appealed from court to
court till he reached the last and it was
not till he had been beaten through them
all, and his last legal gun had been
spiked, that he suffered his client to
pay.
1t was too late to put the money in the
bank the day Jundle paid it over. Of
course he had hung back till the last
minute. However, it was not very
bulky roll, being all in thousand-doIlar
notes; SO just slipped it into secret
pocket of my coat, where it would be
safe till morning.
We lived, my wife and /, in a snug
little cottage near the city. We had been
married not quite a year. In fact, it
vas mainly on the strength of my ex-
,ecta6ons from "the case,'' which had
hen reached point at which Twyscott
was only fighting for delay, that had
ventured to ask Phoebe Harland to com |
plete our somewhat long-standing en-
1 had promised Phoebe so many things |
out of the case that / had forgotten half
of them; but there was little doubt that
a strict account of them was laid away in
her own memory, and I feared that the
sum total would make large hole in my
share of the spoils.
l know it was mean thing, and can
hardly think what put it into my head
for 1 fully intended to deal squarely by
Phoebe: but on the train homeward is
somehow occurred to me that there was
no need to hurry in telling her 1 had got
the money. 1t would do as well after 1
had settled with my client, and knew
exactly how 1 stood.
Phoebe met me so lovingly, and had
such a nice little supper waiting just
the dishes she knew / liked best-and
was so chatty and pleasant all the even
ing, that 1 wonder how kept the guilty
secret, but somehow I did keep it.
I was awakened next morning by
messenger with a telegram summoning
me at once to town to draw Mr.. Banton's
will. / hastened to catch the early train,
which / was Just in time to do. Mr..
Banton was a rich, retired merchant
whose patronage was not to be neglected.
Instead of finding him i1e ertrenais, /
was not little surprised at seeing Mr..
Banton, in dressing gown and slippers,
enjoying hearty breakfast. Of course
he didn't need my services. He had, in
fact, been worse scared than hurt.
When reached my Office discovered
[ had on a different coat from that
worn the day before, which, being little
the worse for use, Phoebe had strongly
objected to my wearing of late. More
than once she had threatened to sell itor
give it to the ragman. She must have
slipped another in its place the night be-
fore, and in the hurry of my morning
toilet, had failed to note the change.
was a little annoyed when, at later
hour, my client, Jonas Swirl, called to
settle and get his share of the money,
He was very suspicious person, and
when explained the change of coats and
the absence of the cash, / fancied he
looked just trife distrustful. Still, he
said nothing, and went away promising
to come back tomorrow.
/ hardly stopped to return Phoebe's
kiss that evening before running up to
the closet to look for my old coat. 1t
was not there. I tossed everything up
side down, rummaged all the drawers,
searched every hook and peg, but the
missing garment was nowhere visible.
"Phobe !' I cried, running down to
the dining-room where she was busy
preparing tea-'FPhoebel where's the
coat I wore yesterday
"That old one?"
"Old or new, where is it?" 1 de-
manded
I'm afraid I seemed to speak harshly,
but was only excited.
Phoebe looked scared. / had never
addressed her so before.
Forgive me, George" she faltered.
"Forgive you for what ?"
'I-I-there was a peddler came
along to-day, nnd-and exchanged your
old eoat-you know it wasn't fit to wear
any longer, dear-for pair of the love
lest little flower vases-Tve been waiting
for you to notice them, but-but-'
My looks must have terrified her, for
she burst into tears, sobbing OUT
81 didn't think you would mind it,
George"
Poor Phoebe, it was the first time /
had made her cry; and after all I had
only my own selfish folly to blame.
Why hadn't told her about the