Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-13
Merrick's Generosity.

The death of the famous Washington
lawyer, Richard T. Merrick. recalls a
story of one of his clients, widow.
While he was busy over his law books
one day in his Washington office, just
after the war closed, thin and care
worn middle-aged lady entered the
room. She was dressed IN widows
weeds, and her eyes dropped hesitat-
lngly as they encountered the keen
glance of the lawyer. She told her
story between nervous starts and fire.
quent hesitations. At times her soft
crown eyes would look up to the cold
face before her as if mutely appealing
Tor sympathy from the lawyer. Yet
not word did Alerrick 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 a
packet tied with faded ribbon. Per
haps you might want to look these
over, Mr.. Merrick,' she said. s.Very
well, madame, leave me your address.
aud when | need them III send you
word -good-day." The door swung in
and back, shutting out the little figure
IN black with its pathetic face. Week.
followed, and Mr.. Merricks 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. A brisk and impera-
tive Come ill.," in answer to her
knock, invited or rather ordered her to
enter. An offieious young man sat at
a table scratching away at paper be-
fore him. He took in his visitor at a
glance, and rudely demanded her pur-
pose. I'D like to see Mr.. Merrick, if
| could she faltered. 'Well, YOU
can't see him" Isis he-busyP'
Il should say he was. What do YOU
want with him, anyhow" He told
me he would write to me, but | haven't
heard from him yet, so | thought-'
''Oh, you thought! Why didn't you
wait till you did hear from him? I'll
tell you what-you'd better go home
and wait for that letter you say he
promised to write. I've no time to be
bothered just now. Good-by." The
pompous young man waved the caller
to the door, and turned once more to
save the world by grinding the end 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 Richard L.
Merrick himself, with his face flushed
and indignation blazing from his eyes,
strobe in: Young man, I've no further
uSa for Won - The voT1ncr man did yo+
hesitate. The tone of the lawyer left
him no room for doubt, and he left
without ceremony. Then that forlorn
caller was made happy. Mr.. Merrick
had that very day discovered evidence
that substantlated all her claims. But
more. He had discovered, too, that
the husband whom she married had
been member of his own company in
the army when there was title of
Captain Merrick 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 mean
time-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 provide her
with funds sufficient to give her ease
and comfort. To-day this lady lives
in a Maryland country town, one of
the many who mourn the departure of
a generous spirit-generous away from
the worlds gaze. Richard T. Merrick
did good without ostentation.-Nea0
York Times.