The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-20
THE IDLE LAWYER.

| 1t was capital hit well delivered,
full between the eyes. 1t sent the
recipient, a gaudily dressed fhp, spin
ming into the gutter, much to the Diet
riment of his fine apparel, and serv.
ed him right for insulting an unpro-
tected girl, whose hurried steps and
timid manner betrayed her uneasI-
ness at being on the street at such an
hour.
Having done his duty in the prem
ises. and waiting To see the hes pat
tered coxcomb pick himself up un-
carefully and stink away ahasked
and cowed. Ned Armonr turned
to- see what had become Of his pro-
tege.
She stood trembling. as though
fright had arrested her steps. Her
pale saet, on, -ssisici, tire light of Il
neighboring lamp CHANGED To fall.
was of surprising beauty. and Nru,
being knight as gallant as brave,
begged permission to see her safe
home.
In sweet, gentle vOife, with II
foreign tinge, she accepted the offer,
and the two walked on together, for
the most part silently.
"WiIl you walk in, sir ?" said the
girl, stopping at the door of plain
looking house. My father, | nn
sure, will wish to thank you for the
kind service you have rendered. He
is an invalid, and it was an errand to
procure sume Eecessaries that took
me out Tonight"
Neil accepted the invitation, and
that was the beginning Of his g.
quaintance with M. Bertrand and his
charming daughter Marie.
Ned Armour was the Junior of n
, law firm nf which his uncle, Mr..
Banting. was the head. He had lit
tie love for the profession, but had
entered il to please his uncle, tn
whom he owed everything, his rear
, ing included. 1t is safe tn sly that
) after the adventure jnat related he
? spent two evenings in the socipty OF
r Marie and her father to one passed
with Coke and Blackstone.
NJ. Bertrand was an old soldier ol
the first empire, who with the fall oi
his chief, had lost all; and, driven in
: to exile with his infant child, he had
wandered from country to- country
in the hope to mend his fortune
Now. his daughter and himself haC
y no other dependence than the earn
; ings of the former, who had turnec
= to the best account sne could her pro
ficiency in music by giving piiyate
lessons.
Ned would gladly have assisted
his friends from his owe uurSe had he
known now to do 80 without giving
= offence to the proud old soldier.
"I've been thinking of a wife fol
you." said Npd's uncle one morning
: rs the two sat together in the senior''
private Office.
$50 have y" replied Ned,
"Ahem ~ returned the uncle.
"I've picKed one out for you" III
continued.
i "l've picked one out for myself.
y said Ned. "that is provided l can oh
( tain her consent"
1.-The deuce you have - exclaimed
u the head of the firm, who had al
ways regarded the question as on,
: within his own exclusive jurisdic
= tion.
:, There is no knowing to what
- pitch the discussion w0ulu hav
reached hut for the entrance of tw,
: gentlemen who came to con-ult Mr
Banting.
- A Frenchman, stranger. it seem
y, ed, had died suddenly while on hi
- way to this city some years before
k zen itlS a idIS0 SUM WI St
o of the two gentlemen present hat
It been appointed trustee of the fund
and the other claimed to he the mex
" kin tn the deceased. whose cousin h
q asserted himself tu he.
Is "The deceased spoke of having
y brother" said the trustee. "in scare
- of whom he was travelling"
n "Y 5. his brother Antoine" sal
A. the other, "whO absconded from tn
country years ago, and Of who's
death / have ample proof"
The papers were submitted to NJ
Banting, who promised to examir
them aud give his opinion next da!
A. ut which time, IL everything was re-: