The Forrest City times., 1893-07-07
HIS ROOMMATE.
How He Ruined an Honest Young
 Lawyers Reputation.


 am plain. honest lawyer, and, be- fore certain young man moved into my double office, nay reputation was spotless. He moved in for the ostensi- ble purpose of sharing the expense of rent. He was a nice-looking young man and had fair exterior. The day following his arrangement with me he moved in. That is, he appeared in person. Otherwise he did not have much to move. But poverty is no crime and took fancy to him on ac- count of his principles It is so pleas ant to meet some one nowadays with principles He had plenty of them and it did me good to listen to him. "A lawyer" he would say, has no right to defend a criminal when he is guilty" and, although I did not agree with him, respected his extreme virtues, and congratulated myself upon having such a righteous roommate. There was a marked peculiarity about our be- ing in the same office together. Peo- pie said that we resembled each other in personal appearance, which l con- Strued as a compliment to me.
 He worked up good business at once, for only week after he entered the office he had case. Other cases followed. and at the same time singu- larly enough my practice decreased. When the first months rent was due he hit me on the back in his hearty, famil- lar fashion and said: You pay this month, old man, and I will next" As that was fair I did so. One day when alone in the office 1 was pondering upon the vicissitudes of fate and the scarcity of fees when man rushed into the of- flee in an unceremonious manner and stood glaring at me. Rejoiced over what seemed to be the immediate pros pect of client in pursuit of dishon- est partner or a wife who had eloped. 1 assumed a soft, insinuating smile and politely waved him to chair My cour- teous invitation was declined and the man, taking a step nearer, exclaimed; 'Scoundrel.'
 I presumed that he was referring to some one who had injured him and from whom he desired redress in the courts, and so laughed in a aconciliatory manner.
 Come, come, my dear sir. you must not give way in this manner" l said. ''Calm yourself, beg of you"
 An, you dare jest?" he cried. But you shall settle with me, sir. Do you know Maggie Klien?"
 It chanced that did know the young woman, who lived in our neighbor- hood. I responded in the affirmative, and added something about her being n very charming girl. And now, sir" I said tart!y, will you tell me who you are?"
 He drew himself up as though about to impart startling information. Il am Maggie's best fellow, or at least l was before you came along and alienated her affections from me"
 ''What?'
 "Alienated her affections
 "I?"
 "You, The corner grocer told me all about it: how you used to meet Maggie every night near his store and take her to the theater arll other places. Mag gie was contented enough until you came along, and then I began to see a change that I couldn't account for until the grocer told me about you, and now I am going to wipe the floor with you"
 I started to argue the matter with him in my most persuasive professional style. but he resorted to the tactics of the ring and proceeded to carry out lit orally his last statement. My sensa- tions the next few moments were those of man falling from balloon or go- ing through thrashing machine. When I recovered he had departed; my coat was torn: chair was broken; pens, papers and books were scattered here and there. and the office looked as though it had been struck with cy- clone. "Upon my word" l thought raising myself on my elbow in the cor