Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-07-23
~NrFIVE \. .THOU'l 'lD~

tHOuSnt SneQ nave done II, SIT, ne
said.
Done whatT
Look; the beaStly thing says, The
plaintiff claims damages for breach of
promise Of marriage"
Bring me my slippers shouted the
Earl; damn the horse! send round the
broughamm
Off he went to Lincoln's Inn Fields.
you'd better SETTLE" said Mr.. Pom
der, the old family lawyer.
Settle" he shouted, "settle I'll
show up the baggage, the -! I'll put
every detective in London on the job.
I'm not afraid Of court, and when the
jury hears what she really is"
"But the scandal?'
Don't talk about scandal; enter an
appearance, and leave the rest to me-"
my dear Governor" interrupted
Bob, who had accompanied him. "be
fair to the girl | didn't think Muriel
would have done it; but she's perfectly
straiGht-rd stake my life on it."
Nonsense, Bob! You're a fool, and
you'd better stay abroad till the af-
fairs over. I'll attend to it. I'll show
her how to fight" The Earrs eyes
cleaned. We'll teach her, won't we,
Ponder, what litigation means?" Then
he told lengthy, stale tale Of his sue
cessful lawsuit about right-of way-a
success which added a new mortgage
to the family collection.
Its all very WELL" said Mr.. Ponder,
but that was chancery, this is COM
mon law. I'm sure we should make
mess Of it. One of my articled clerks
has set up in business in Bedford Row;
he's smart fellow, and will fight hard
and just suit you"
Bob went off to the Riviera, and lost
all the money his father gave him.
During his absence the old gentleman
employed a detective-a fellow with
splendid Imagination, but very poor
powers of observation-and the skir-
mishing was done under the Earl's
supervision. Bob was to have staid
away till after the trial; however, an
urgent letter from a club friend Of
his father brought him home in a hurry.
He arrived in the evening, and. going
to the Carlton, learned that the case
was in the list for next day. When
he reached Belgrave Square and was
shown into the library he found his
father with Mr.. Hicks, his Bedford Row
solicitor. There was row going on
at high pitch.
Pray tell your father he must set
tle," said Mr.. Hicks.
Settle be damnedw interrupted the
old boy.
Settle, | say" rejoined the solicitor.
You see, Mr.. Martindale, Sir Edward
says he won't cross-examine the plain
tin as to her character He suggests
that the material is absurd and he
does not believe a. word of the detect
Ives story--he says he'd sooner return
the brief"
And the check?' gasped the Earl
Yes and the check. He says there's
no decent defense, and he won't try
to support the detectives tissue of lies.
Moreover, he insists that If he did he'd
fail, and the damages and disgrace
would be awful"
What does 1t matter to me?" shouted
the old gentleman. ITS not my case.
it's my sons"
That's bit steep" observed the
son.
My retainer is from you, my lord"
urged Mr. Hicks.
70, I'll pay your confounded costs,
but where will they get their damages
from?"
Bob groaned.
They've told me they'll make him
bankrupt" replied Mr.. Hicks, land his
discharge will be suspended for two
years at least"
What has that to do with me?" said
the Earl grimly.
Bob interposed: Lord Salisbury has
many claims on his patronage, and In
my bankruptcy he'd find decent ex-
cuse for leaving me out In the cold"
The Earl had no gout, but he man
aged without its help to use very Wig
orous language concerning sons, solicit
ors, advocates, and actresses.
They will take $4,000 for damages.
with a full apology and withdrawal In
open court" said Mr.. Hicks, "and f5oo
for costs"
IAN apology! A withdrawalw
"a withdrawal of all the charges
on the record"
Next day, to the infinite disgust Of
the reporters and the crowded court,
Sir Edward, in graceful speech. made
an apology OF the most ample char.
acter, withdrew all imputatlons, and
announced that $1,000 would be paid as
compensation for the injury to the lady,
together with her costs.
The Morning Post, on the morrow.
a.