The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-01-17

casstuI investigation. AS d result Ia
learned, among other things. tbat c,,-
pidity is more potent than confidence
u leading men into devious financial
ventures. He had fallen among those
that grind the faces of the moor His
face had been ground, and it made him
sharp.
In his recent location his ostensible
business had been brokerage in oil and
gas lands, but his actual emplovment
i best defined in a general phrase. as
the making Of ingenious and comnli.
Gated trades in property which he does
not own; yet which, by some clever
method, not involving the payment Of
money, ne manages to possess legally.
Ezra's attorney, young Mr.. Archi-
bald Face, had instituted this action
against McTagg and Hockensmith I'M
Ger an imperative instruction and
against his best judgment, and it was
not until the week before court con-
vened that the attorney succeeded in
persuading his client to yield to adj
vice.
Mr.. Face had been retained because
ne was cheap, and Ezra's confidence in
his ability was, therefore, not quite
firm. AT last, almost on the eve of the
trial, he consented, regardless of ex-
pense, to take the opinion of that hester
OF the circuit, ex-Judge j.. Billings
Gayle, and agreed to dispose of the con
troversy as Judge J. Billings Gayte in
his wisdom might decide. An appoint
ment for an interview was accordingly
made, and Ezra anxiously, but hope
fully, awaited the day when the law
on his case should be delivered from
the pregnant brain of Judge Gayle.
well, Ezra" said the judge; Ly way
Of opening the consultation: II hear
you've had some little trouble with Nc
Tagg."
Il have" said Ezra.
Hes tricky, INSCRIPTIONS rascal,
and, think, pretty hard man to get
the best Of"
II amt tried to get the best Of him.
He's got the best o. me, and now all I'm
aimin to dos to get my money back,
say nothin' bout the interest, though.
Of course, il can get the interest, it
rightly belongs to me. Think I'll win
it, jedge?"
'We'll talk it over and see what we
can do"
1T seems like plain enough case and
] guess you'll say so yourself, when
you hear about the whole transaction"
"You mustn't feel too certain Of win
ming. I've had enough experience to
know there's no sure thing in law suits,
and, besides, Ezra, I've been talking |
this matter over with your attorney,
Mr.. Face, and I'm afraid for you that |
his advice has been sound, as it usually |
u.s."
Mr.. Face gave nervous cough and a
delighted squirm in his chair and then
put deep, thoughtful look on his
features. Praise from
Judge Billings Gayle is praise, in
Iced.
'Well," said Ezra, with an attempt
o appear resigned, Il s'pose we all
earn some ev'ry day, an if you say 1
ant get my rights out O. McTagg, I'll
lave to grin and bear it, though it
ion't seem right.
Before can say anything further"
proceeded the judge, dropping the cor
Iial manner with which he had begun
he interview, II must hear your en-
ire story, and you must be careful to
include every detail, no matter how dis
reditable to you it may be; and, Ezra"
dded the judge, impressively, "you
will find it to your final advantage to
tick close to the exact truth, as we
re bound by the law to preserve our
lients' secrets"
This seemed somewhat short of the
eference customarily paid to a
realthy farmer, capitalist and ex-jus-
ice of the peace, and Ezra at first
bought of an indignant reply, but the
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