The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-05
THE LATE RICHARD Il. MERRICK.
A Story Illustrative of the Generous Heart OF
the Dead Lawyer.

A Story Illustrative of the Generous Heart OF
the Dead Lawyer.
New York Times.
The death of the famous Washington lawyer,
Richard Il. Merrick, recalls story of one of his
clients, a widow. While he was busy over his
law books one day in his Washington Office just
after the war closed thin and careworn middle
aged lady entered the room. She was dressed i'm
widows weeds, and her eyes dropped hesitatingly
as they encountered the keen glance Of the
lawyer. She told her story between nervous
starts and frequent hesitations. At times her
soft brown eyes would look up to the cold face
before her as if mutely appealing for sympathy
from the lawyer. Yet not a word did Merrick
say until she had finished Then he abruptly
asked only practical question as to whether
she had any documentary evidence to produce
From the pocket Of her widows dress she
brought forth packet tied with faded ribbon.
over, Mr. Merrck," she said Every well,
madame. leave me your address, and when
l need them I'll send you word-good day."
The door swung in and back. shutting out the
little figure in black with its pathetic face.
Weeks followed, and Mr.. Merrck's client had
received no word from him. At last, unable to
bear the suspense of hope too long deferred, the
anxious woman once more climbed the stairs to
the busy lawyers Office. brisk and imperative
Come in" in answer to her knock, invited or
rather ordered, her to enter. An officious young
man sat at a table scratching away at paper
before him. Ho took in his visitor at glance,
anu ruuely demanded nef purpose. Ia ike TO
see Mr. Merrick, if / could" she fatered.
''Well, you can't see him" Isis he-busyg"
Il should say he was. What do you want with
MIN, anyhow" ''He told me he would write to
me, but | haven't heard from him yet, so l
thought ooh, you thought Why didn't you
wait till you did hear from him9 l tell you
what-youd better go home and wait for that
letter you say he promised to write. I've no
time to be bothered Just now. Good bye" The
pompOus young man waved the caller to the
door, and turned once more to save the world by
grinding off the point of his pen.
Just AS the poor woman, the tears starting
from her eyes was about to withdraw the half
closed door of the inner Office opened and Rich
ard r. Merrck himself, with his face flushed
and indignation blazing from his eyes strobe in.
young man, I've no further use for you" The
young man did not hesitate. The tone of the
lawyer left him no room for doubt and he left
without ceremony. Theff'that fororn caller was
made happy. Mr.. Merrick had that very day
discovered evidence that substantiated all her
claims. But more. He had discovered. too,
that the husband whom she married had been
title of Captain Merrck in the Mexican war.
The money she sought, to which he was able to
prove the justice of her claim, he promised
should be in her possession eventually: but in
the meantime-for there was danger of the laws
delays-the lawyer, he whom the world had
sometimes rated as cold hearted, asked for the
sake OF the Old Mexican war memories to pro-
vide her with funds sufficient to give her ease
and comfort. o-day this lady lives in q Mary
land country town, one of the MANY who mourn
the departure of generous spirt--generous
away from the worlds gaze. Richard t. Mer-
rick did good without ostentation