Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-23
THE BRICK OFFICE.

OF Judge Branham, remembered as
man of great learning and ability.
And during the years that followed
his death IN old justice of the peace
was wont to say, who will have
the audacity to hang n lawyers sign
in front of the judges temple Of
wisdom?" This remark was repeat
cd until every man in the village
claimed it-thc green grocer and the
oobhler Finally it was agreed that
no ono should summon the senseless
oourage-this was the way it was
put in the villagc-to occupy the lit.
tie dingy den once SO ably filed
by the fat jurist.
The old tin sign hung there until
1t was blown away during a summer
hailstorm, and after that the batter
cd post stood holding out it's naked
arm. The property changed hands,
but the Office remained vacant. In
the columns of the village nowspa-
per 1T was offered for rent, anu the
young lawyers, taught to revere the
great, shifted at the announcement.
But one morning the villagers were
startled to see n new sign swinging
from the old arm. "A. G. Jonnott,
Attorney at Law" in bright green
letters, was plain to every gaze, and,
OF course, an insult to tho memory
held warmly dear.
1T is an outraged" declared the
old justice, having hastily arrived in
his shirt sleeves. 1T is intended as
an insult and ought to be pulled
down. Why, I've lived in this town
sixty odd years this spring, and
never saw the like before. Hop up
there, some of you, and pull off that
tin blasphemy."
Hold or, interposed the mayor.
Let us proceed with more delibera-
ton. OF course, this Office is sacred
to us, but it Is now owned by COM
paratlve stranger and has doubtless
been rented by stranger. And
surely, when wo have had q talk
with him, no will be willing to move
to some other place. Go slow, boys.
See who is inside.
A young fellow made the an
nouncement that tho Office was lock
ed.
"Ah!" said the justice. His con.
science has smitten him, and he has
sneaked off. But you are right, Mr..
Mayor. 1t is botter to proceed with
elaboration.
just at that moment the tavern
bell rang for breakfast. No matter
what the people of a remote village
may be doing, or what question the
wise and ancient heads of the mu-
nioipality may be discussing, the
ringing Of the tavern bell calls an
instant halt. 1t Is the voice announc-
ing the crawl rather than the flight
of time, and in village the fact
that one hour has succeeded another
hour is great thing to know.
The Justice and the mayor went
homo to breakfast, and afterward,
when they returned to renew their
investigations, they found the office
open. The mayor was the first to
enter, and he had advanced but a
few feet beyond the threshold when
he staggered back against the JUS
eoe, close upon his heels. And then
the two mon stood gaping in aston.
ishment. AT the desk sat a hand.
some young woman.
"We-wo are looking for A. G.
Jonnett," the mayor stammered.
Il am that person, replied the
young woman, rising and sweetly
smiling.
What" the justice gasped. You
don t mean to say that you are a
lawyer"
Il don't only mean to say it, do
say it."
But I never heard of such a
thing"
Perhaps not, and there are doubt.
less many other things you never
heard of. "
II don't know about that, miss.
But there are a great many things
have heard of, and one of them is
an honored judge, whose memory
THAT will do, " she interrupted,
raising her hand. Il have heard of
the judge, and l respect his memory
far moro than you do. have read
his books and admire the keenness
of his mind. Have you read his
book on the fallaoies of ciroumstan-
tial evidenoe?"
Didn't know he wrote one."
thought not. Did you wish to
see mo on any other business?"
Il believe not, said the mayor.
He turned toward the door, his
friend moving with him, but halted,
faced about and said, You surely
don't mean that you are going to
practice law in this town."
Yes; that's my business
But the people here never heard
of such thing as woman lawyer,
and you might stay here for 40 years
and,never get a case"
"Well, I'll try it 40 years, and al
the end of that time l may be able
to decide whether or not to settle
here permanently"
Gosh, but you We got nervel"
And, laughing at him, she replied
Gosh, 1 need itl'
II reckon you do. But, he add
ed, giving his companion an odd
wink, even if it was common for
women to practice at the bar you
are too pretty for lawyer.
Il have seen better looking orimi-
mails than lawyers, " she replied, smil-
ing.