Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-01-16
THE LORDLY ROSCOE.
How he Calamity Came to the Rescue of q
Woman in Distress.

Woman in Distress.
Speaking of Roscoe Conkling, writes a
correspondent of the Cleveland Leader,
I heard story last night that gives an
insight into part of his nature not gen.
orally known to the public. He is very
kind to women in distress, and the enor.
nous charges which he puts upon his
services to great monopolies and million
aires become nothing if the business is
done for poor woman. For instance
not long ago highly cultured and in
telligent woman of Washington found
herself, by the death of her husband, re-
duced to poverty, and she was forced to
go to work in the departments, though
her husband had been very wealthy and
had left her fortune. He was widow
er with several children at the time she
married him, and after his death the
property fell into the hands of the chill
dren, and she could, from some technic-
atty or other, not get hold upon any
of it. She applied to the lawyers here at
Washington. and they advised her, as il
was case which came under the juris-
diction of the New York courts, to
60 there and consult New York lawyers.
She had not much money, but she went
to New York and was walking down
Broadway feeling very much worried and
entirely at sea as to where she could find a
lawyer who would give he proper advice
and still not charge her more than she
could afford to pay. As she passed the
Western Union building she saw upon
the steps Roscoe Conkling. She
had seen him often in Washing
ton but had never been introduced to
him. He had also noticed her as she
passed by this day. He looked up and
their eyes met, and she unconsciously
smiled recognition. Senator Conkling
at once left the gentleman to whom he
was talking and held out his hand. He
said: MADAM, do not remember where
I have met you, but I see from your. face
that you are greatly worried about some
thing, and want to offer you my ser
vices if you think I can be of any use to
you"
The lady replied that he could be of
great use to her. She was in trouble,
and she needed the advice of lawyer.
Senator Conkling then made an appoint
ment with her for meeting at his Office
within half an hour. She came and he
heard her story, understanding the case
almost intuitively, and, as she says,
seeming to grasp it as none of the Wash
ington lawyers or her friends had done.
He asked her questions, and she replied
at length. He did not seem bothered at
the fact that she was talking up great
deal of his time, at the close of her story
he told her what to do in few words,
making the situation as plain as though
analytically dissected by the aid of an
electric light and powerful microscope.
Then with fear and trembling she asked
him what his charge was for the advice,
heart leaping into her throat as she did
50, in fear that it might be more than she
could pay. In the gentlest manner Mr..
Conkling told her he would charge her
nothing. She could hardly comprehend
his reply, and for moment her relief
was SO great that she could not speak
The tears came to her eyes as she thank
ed him. His advice gave her back her
fortune, and she is now one of the great
est defenders and worshipers Of Conkling
among his many admirers of the other
sex.