The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-01-19
Select STORY.
From Chambers Journal.
ALAWYER'S STORY

] am lawyer, ana the adventure aii
about to relate befell me some eight or nine
years ago. / was struggling hard then to
make my way in the world, and gain good
position in my profession.
| had case intrusted to me which pro-
missed to be full of difficulties. did not
doubt of ultimate success, but the matter
was so hedged in by technical embarrass-
ments and nice points of law that my whole
time and attention were occupied with 1t.
Some details of this business necessitated
my taking journey to the North, and late
one cold December afternoon ! alighted at
the station of moderate-sized town in
Yorkshire. Clowford was not my destiaa-
ton, but as the train service ceased there,
had no choice but to seek some other
mode of conveyance to Blackstone, the VII
lage for which | was bound. But to meet
with one, I found, was much more difficult
than I had anticipated.
/ Blackstone, was informed, was small
and isolated village, the way to which was
across bleak barren moor. was told
that | was too late to go thep, for fall OF
snow was imminent, and to be caught on
| the moors in snow-storm was risk too
dangerous to be lightly incurred. The
next morning 1 could have both man and
a vehicle to take me whithersoever might
wish.
! | listened to these objections with impa'
tience. | had much work on hand, and was
anxious to return to London, and quickly
decided that could not afford the delay,
At length, after a good deal Of solicitation
and persuasion on my part, and consider
able expenditure of argument and protes-
tation on his, mine host of the "George
Inn" reluctantly agreed to let me have a
horse. The good man eased his conscience
by repeated warnings and entreaties to de-
fer my journey; but [ was strong OF limb
and stoat of heart, and, being furnished
with explicit directions as to the route,
set out, mine host and hostess standing at
the inn door and witnessing my departure
with many dismal shakings of the head and
doleful proguostications.
NV horse was steady going sort OF an
animal. and I logged along comfortably
enough. The lights of Clowford soon dis.
appeared, and before long l found myself
on the moors. The wind was piercingly
keen and cold and buttoned my coat more
tightly, and turned up the collar as pro-
lection against it. Twilight had fallen
before left the town, but the stars were
twipkling brightly, the way was clear, and
/ congratulated myself on my recent dlsplal.
of resolution.
Musing on my errand and its probable
results, and all the possibilities and contin
oepcies attached thereto, | let my hors'
pursue his course without much guidance
from me,
We had gone, / suppose, about thlrc
of the way, when | aWoke to the fact tina
the darkness was momentarily deepening
T lacked about for the cause, and found
that the friendly stars had become invisible
by reason of pail of lowering blacknes
which had oyerspread the sky. The wind
too. was increasing and blew in fierce, sud
den gusts, and presently there came swirl
inc against my cheek few feathery fiake'
of snow. -,
"By iove, the old fellow was right J!
muttered, urging my horse to gallop
The snow came down faster and faster
resting ON the brim of my hat, clinging t
nv coat and covering my beard: Sue
personal discomfort was bad enough. bat
was more concerned at observing that tn
ground was assuming bewildering unifol
mity of whiteness IF the remembrance
Of the cosy parlor and blazing fire | ha
left behind at the "George" made me n
pent of my temerity for one moraent, | di'
missed the reflection the next. and kept m
ewes employed in searching for landmarks
I had to look out for sign-post, which, .
vet, had not perceived; but the swift s
lent downfall Of the snow prevented m
, from seeing far in advance. | kept up m
spirits by humming the refrain OF som
ioyiaI German drinking song that L ma