The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-12
AN UNPROFITABLE CLIENT.
How "A Demure Confidence Woman
Tricked Young Connecticut Lawyer.

How Demure ConHdenoo woman
Tricked a Young Connecticut Lawyer
From the Providence journal.
A day or two ago talented young law.
yer of Putnam, Conn, was delighted by
finding in his Office richly dressed lady
who announced her desire to employ
him professionally. With a beamng
smile the young Blackstone handed
the visitor cushioned armchair and as.
sured her that che was entirely devoted
to her service" Seating herself the
lady ungloved small white hand that
literally glistened with diamonds and
applied Suez scented handkerchief to
her lips, blushed, and casting her eyes
upon the floor, said:
''My business is very particular-itis-
pardon me sir, but you will not betray
me W
"Botray your Not for the world,
madam. You can confide in me with the
same reliance as in priest at tho con.
fessional.'
"The fact isl want-that is, have
been unfortunate in my marriage rela-
tions."
The eyes of the lawyer glistened and,
drawing his chair close 10 the side OF his
fair client, remarked: II see-I see-you
want divorce. l am just the man to
get it for you. ] am perfectly au fat in
matters Of this kind. How long have
you been married p
Nine years"
"Nine years! You must have been
very young when you entered that
bliss, mean wretched state"
II was a mere child-a foolish, mex.
perienced girl. A doting mother placed
me in the arms of q man old enough to
be my father. But he was rich, and for
two or three years | did not know the
difference. | was as happy rs though
my husband had been twenty years
younger, but association with other
women opened my eyes, and l became
wretched. pined for heart that was
congenial with my own"
Exactly sol" exclaimed the lawyer,
rubbing his hands and twisting his in
cipient moustache, "but your suffering
will soon terminate. l will get you a
divorce, and then"
"Oh. dear mel-and then-but I must
not be too sanguine. My husband is
very rich, and he will never permit me
to get divorce if he can help It.
Madam, you don't know the law--its
majesty-its glorious certainty--its mag.
nanimity.. Consider yourself divorced,
and rest easy"
well, sir; how shall l procecdG"
Let me see. In the first place, give
me statement of your grievances.
THAT would take a whole week. You
can imagine what woman like me
must suffer with such a husband"
"Yes, yes; cruel and barbarous treat
ment; condition ntolerable-neglect and
all that sort of thing. will just jot down
few Of the items. Your name is -"
Mrs. -. You must know my hus-
band"
What, the manufacturer He's as
rich rs Cresus."
"Yes, he's rich; but I don't care for
that. l want divorce"
The lawyer wrote down sketch of
the lady's matrimonial infelicities, and
again assured her that he would have no
difficulty in procuring q divorce, with at
least $4,000 alimony.
How much are you going to charge
me for making me so happy!" asked the
lady.
We'll, I ought to charge you thou.
sand dollars. but, out of consideration
for your sufferings, will only take re-
tainer of one hundred dollars, and when
1t is accomplished you will increase it to
five hundred dollars"
THAT is evidently reasonable. | have
no change about me now. Oh, yes here
is a check for $500 that my husband
gave me to 60 shopping. l will only
want halt of it today will you get il
cashed for me ?"
1T is after bank hours, but the check
is all right. l will give you 500 for
your shopping and keep the check"
The lawer had that day received re.
mittance of 800 from his father. He
! handed It over to the vision of loveliness,
and placing her check in his pocket.
book, bowed his client to the door. He
was excessively happy at his good for
| tune, and that night dreamed of angelic
clients, sensational divorce cases, aud a
huge pile of 500 bills.
The next morning he went to the bank
to get his check cashed, and was thun,
derstruck when the teller informed hin
| that the name of Mr.. was forged
Indignant at the thought that his fail
client had been guilty of so base crime
as forging her husbands name, he hur
ried TO the mill of Mr.. with the in
tention of exposing the lady. He wat
still more astonished when Mr.. ------ in
formed him that he was widower anC
had not been blessed with wife fol
more than ten years.