The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-04-06

"Oh, those are imaginary figures said
Mr.. MunSon. who saw he had made Il
mistake. "Now, Mary, | am a lawyer,
and advise you to sue the city for dam
ages. | will conduct your case, and there
will he no trouble in getting snug sum
of money that will enable you to live in
YOU old age; it will be long time to that.
but the money will draw interest and its
only fair that you should have your
rights "
Then Mr. Munson explained that the
city owned that particular piece of side
walk: that it was defective, causing the
fall that he had secured two witnesses who
had seen her fall, and that his own family
would 20 into court and swear that she
had lost her wages during that time, and
had large bill of expenses topay.
1t took ii long time to get the idea into
her work-a-day head, but once there it took
complete possession OF her. and the dis
charged girl had to be recalled to assist in
the homework, and the kitchen became Il
scene OF wrangling and discomfort Mary
Blake among her own class Of people was
despotic, and no wonder; she found no one
who would carry out her plan of work as
it should be done, and with a lawsuit with
the city on her hands she was not expected
to do more than keep a supervision of
affairs
The Munsons were not wealthy, but they
had always lived in comfort, which many
wealthy people cannot do-and they felt
severely this turning over of their quiet
lives. But, as Mr. MunSon had said it
would be wicked to deprive the poor woman
of her rights and he would see that she
had them. He also saw i'll perspective a
generous slice for himself There were
witnesses fees to be paid, his own services,
and other munitions of the law, and the
handling atterward at ii fair rate of interest
of the thousands which would result
He won the case.
His wife and daughters were in the wit
llVFpo DoN1 "hNl' lliV 'ltN tlJuplltN
them until they were frantic with rage.
The presiding judge made eyes at sweet
Mary Munson, causing her to blush dis
tressingly. Mary Blake was cool and stolid
answering just as her lawyer had instructed
her to, and she was accorded half the sum
demanded. Mr.. Munson had sued for
thraa tbnn-n,,,l a I.bn
fifteen hundred dollars in thirty days after
the case went on trial.
The money was paid to Mary Blake her
self, as the city records show Mr.. Nun
son himself wished it settled in that way,
and he then gave her IA bill for services,
never imagining for a moment he would
have any trouble getting his pay.
But Mary Blake had been awakened to
the value of her own services. They had
said under oath that she was worth two
dollars day to them, and she had re-
ceived only four dollars per week during
her long term of service. She had done IA
little reckoning on her own account and
tlle result WIS couHeeI plll Ihat appalled,
Mr.. Munson by its length, minuteness of
detail and summing up. He was caught
in a trap OF his own constructing.
4 compromise was effected that was
satisfactory to Mary Blake, and she at once
left the family, not in a quarrelsome mood,
but with determined air that brooded no
appeal Girl after girl succeeded her, but
they only made her loss more apparent by
contrast. Mr.. Munson mourned the hour