Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-05

heads of his opening speech, although he
already knew his bricf-which, to do it
Justice, had been prepared with extra
ordinary care and observation-disclosures by
heart, and next moment, for the first time
in his life, found himself in consultation
with an attorney and II solicitor general.
"Look here, Short, said the first of
these great men, addressing james as
though he had known him intimately for
years, though, as a matter of fact, he had
only that moment asccrtaincd his name
from Mr.. Tiddlcsticl, who was himself
obliged to refer to Bean before he could
be sure of it-"looli here, Short don't
You think that we can settle this bust
ness? You've got strongish case; but
there are some ugly things against you,
as no doubt you know"
Il don't quito admit that" said James.
cor course--of course, said Mr.. Attor-
ncy; but still, in my judgment, if you
will not be offended at my expressing it,
you are not quite ON firm ground Sup
posing, for instance, your young lady is
not allowed TO give evidcnceY'
Il think, said Il stout gentleman be-
hind, who wore upon his countcnancc the
very sweetest and most iniantilc smile
that Eustacc had ever seen, breaking in
rather hastily, as though he was afraid
that his learned leader was showing too
much OF his hand, Il think that the case
is one that, looked at from either point Of
view, Will bear settlement better than
fghting-ch, Fiddlcsticl? But then, I'm
a man of peace" and again he smiled
most seductively at James.
"What are your terms asked James.
The eminent counsel on the front bench
turned round and stuck their wigs to-
gether like a lot of white headed crows
over IA bone and the slightly less eminent
but still highly distinguished Juniors on
the second bench crancd forward to
listen
They are going to settle it," Eustace
heard the barristcr who was reporting for
The Times say to his long assistant.
They always do settle every case of
public interest gruntcd the long man
in answer; we shan't see Miss Smithers'
shoulders now. Well, | shall get an intro
duction to her, and ask rr to show them
to me. | take a great Interest III tattoo
ing"
MEANWHILE Fiddlcsticks, Q. c., had
been writing something on strip Of pa
| per and handed to his leader, the attor-
| ncv general Cwho, Mr.. james Short saw
with respectful admiration, had five hun
! drcd guineas marked upon his brief. He
nodded carelessly, and passed it ON to his
| junior, who gave it III turn to the solicit
| tor general and Playford, Q. c. When it
| had gone the rounds, Mr. News took it
and showed it to his two privileged
clients, Alessrs. Addison and Roscoe.
! Addison was a choleri clooking fat faced
man Roscoe was sallow, and had thin,
straggly, black beard. When they looked
at it, Addison Groaned fiercely as a
wounded bull and Roscoe sighed, and that
sigh and groan told Augusta-who,
woman like lad all her wits about her,
and was watching every act of the
drama-more than it was meant to do.
1t told her that these gentlemen were
doing something that they did not like,
and doing it because they evidently be
lieved that they had no other course oper
to them. Then MIR. News gave the paper
to Mr.. John Short, who glanced at it and
! handed it on to his brother. and Eustact
read it over his shoulder 1t was very
short, and ran thus:
Terms offered: Half the property, an(
defendants pay all costs
"Well, Short, said EuStace, what dc
you say:-shal we take it,
james removed his wig aud thought
fully rubbed hi, bald head. 1T is very
difficult position to be put in, he said
"Of course, million IS large sum o
money; but there are TWO at stake. NJ.
own view Is that we had better nght TIN
case out; though OF course, TINS Is a Ger
tanty, and the result OF the case Is not.
Il am inclined to settle, said Eustace
mot because OF the case, for believe Il
it, but because of Augusta-of iiis
Smithora; You see she will have to shoV
thal tatJaoing again, and that sort o
thlng Is very unpleasant Tor lady;
ION, as To tha., said James !ottlly
lat present she must remember that sh
Is not lady, but legal document
However, let us ask her
Now, Augusta, what shall we doF
SAID fustace, when he had explained tn
offer; you see, if we take the offer yol
viii be spared very diSaGreea3le time
You must make up your mind quick 10
the Judge will be here i'll minute.
'Oh, never mind me, SAID Augusta
! quickly; II am used to disagreeablca. No
shall fight, tell you they are afraid o
you. | can see II IN the face OF that hor
rid Mr.. Addison. Just now he positlyel,
glarcd at me and ground his teeth, an'
he would not do that II he thought tina
he was going to win. No, dear; | shall