Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-02-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Lawyers Story.


Twelve weary months had crept
by since / had pressed my trying
examination and had heen admitted
to the bar. 1 hired a cozy little Of
flee in building filled with scores of
prominent law firms. After arrang-
ing my well stocked library nailed
up new sign among the rest and
waited for my clients to appear
1t soon became sad trial of pa
tience.
Among the many brilliant lights OF
the day my own name passed unno'
ticed.
Day after day, and month after
month, attended the courts OF
passed the time in pursuing cele-
hrated trial cases. Like Micawber,
] was waiting for something to turn
up. The small capital with which
bad started vas dwindltng away at
an alarming pace. and, as yet, 1 saw
no prospective fee.
One pleasant afternoon Stanley
Ferris. young lawyer. who, like
myself, was unwiIIingly idle, dropped
in to see me.
H What news, Jack?' he asked
carelessly.
"Same as usual" I responded dc,
spondently. - I've notion to pack
off in the wilderness for a few
weeks. Everybody is out of town
and there is little prospect of picking
up. fee'luntil they return"
My friend was about TO reply
when there came a low rap at the
door.
1" Come in," I said carelessly
thinkiDgit some chance acquaintance,
AS the door opened my heart gave
a great bound. / found that my
long-looked for client had arrived al
last. At single glance took in al
the details of my visitors appear
ance. He was a middIe-aged man
dressed in plain costume. and seem,
ingly with good-natured face
Most men would have set him down
at once as jolly, open-hearted in
dividual; but did not. My con.
slant attendance at the courts had
taught me much. There was some
thing underlying his oily smile and
obsequious manner that made me
distrust him.
lis this Mr.. Burns?" he asked
blandly.
bowed in the Informative, and re.
quested him to be seated. Stanley
left the room at that moment. ano
the stranger continued:
(" My name is Brown, sir; Martin
Brown. have called to see you in
a case of emergency"
''In what way can be of ser,
vice." asked.
t My friend, who is in dying
condition, wishes you to draw up q
will at once"
seized my hat and hurriedIy fol.
lowed my visitor. In the elegantly
furnished room of hotel we found
tile man.
Owing to the heavily-darkened
room could distinguish nothing OF
his features. He lay with his face
turned toward the wall, and in fee
BILE tones dictated the terms of the
Will as drew 1t up.
L accomplished my task to his sat
isfaction, and placed the document
before him to sign. AS he did so
noticed a deep red scar running
across the back of his hand. The
whole of the dying mans property
an immense one. by the way-was
left to his dear friend, Martin Brown.
Two of the servants had been
called in to witness the signature,
and everything was performed ac,
cording to law
As left the house the smiling Dir.
Brown handed me my fee. 1t was &
beggarly amount the more so from
the fact that Mr. Brown was soon tc
become wealthy. The mans willy
smile, too, while his friend lay al
the point of death, sickened me and
L was glad TO hurry away.
On my return met Stanley, and
in answer to his inquiries 1 related
the circumstances.
"a beggarly miser." he ex.
claimed, Indignantly, SD never
believed it from his appearancei"
1t was nearly a week after thi:
that young lady, dressed in deeT
mourning, called upon me. This
time 1 bad a case in reality. She
was not more than twenty, but hel
beautiful face bore the impress ot
deep grief. In a few words sht
stated her business, retaining tn,
names until she had heard my opin
ion
Her story was as follows: Thre,
weeks before her uncle had lef
home in company with a man HI
called his friend When in the cit,
he had been taken suddenly i'll ant
died Che had reasivod mn infarrna a