The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-11
A CLIENT.
rFrom the Timeg-Herald.I

seA lady, sir, to see you, sir"
I frowned at the boy. 1t Is so silly
to come bursting in, hardly giving me
time to cram my novel into the waste
paper basket. William has his virtues
but they are not those OF a solicitor
clerk. rs it by appointment" 1 de-
manded, in a raised voice. The boy
started at me idiotically. He might
never have heard the word. Yes" 1
said sternly, lis the lady's name down
in my list?"
''Wh-what list, sir?'
Stupid idiot! I shall have to get rid
of him. Show the lady in" I cried,
angrily; 4 can spare five minutes"
He showed her in, rawningly, dragged
a chair to the fire, and was about to lay
down a law folio for a fOOtstOol when
1 waved him out peremptOrily. His eX-
element was humiliating.
My client was a denlure little lady in
a. veil, sufficiently pretty to warrant
hope that there was either breach of
promise or divorce in the air. The gold
knob on her silk umbrella seemed to
guarantee a decent bill of costs.
Mr.. Baggally?' she asked, tmidly-
I bowed and crossed a leg My
patent leather shoe would, of course,
show her that she was dealing with
lawyer who was none the less a man of
the world. She stared at the fire. L
hardly know how
Nothing matrimonial, hope?'' said
I, encOuragingly-
4 am not married.
I felt vaguely glad, without knowing
why. "Not-er-not a breach of err
I think she sighed. mot even that.
Oh, it is very cOmmonplace-and horrid.
All business is hOrrid, don't you think?"
We'll" I cried, cheerily, we must
eXtricate you as well as we can. Tell
me all about it."
1t is so good of you. I have really
come for a friend. He is in great trOu-
bic. Some one owes him, OH such
lot Of money, and he can't get it,
why doesn't he put the beggar in
eOurt2 Nothing simpler. It's done ev-
cry day. Does he want me to take out
a summons
He thought perhaps if you wrote
a letter like lawyers write"
L see" I reached for a sheet of pa
per Something like this: Dear sir,
I am instructed to inform you that un-
less the amount owing by you to Mr..
SO-and-SO, account whereof is herewith
inclosed, be paid by such a date, fur
Their proceedings will be Immediately
taken and so FORTH
She had put up her veil to look at me.
How cruelty direct you men are with
one another" she cried, with something
like a shudder.
I'VE don't waste time over phrases
I admitted. Now, what does this fell
low Owe2"
''Thirty-six pounds fourteen shillings.'
For value received?''
Yes. for dresses
''Dresses?''
yes. coats and vests and things"
dead to all sense of shame he won't wait
to be county courted. Do you by any
chance recollect any of the-er-the
items?''
She flushed uneasily and poked at
hole in my oilcloth.
Unless you would rather not,'' said
gently.
TN try" She addressed the coal
scuttIe. There were three complete
suits at z gufneas, five vests at u shiI-
hngs, two frock coats at guineas, two
extra pairs of-of things at guinea,
SOUL
He dresses very nicely" assented the
girl, shyly.
And now for the creditors name,
please?"
She murmured something to the fire.
irons
4 didn't quite catch-?"
She repeated it to the coal scuttIe.
laid down my pen, feeling as nearly
faint as a solicitor can. A painful sill
ence ensued. The fire cracked and
chuckled with heart1ess levity.
"A very fair all-around tailor" said
when I had mastered my voice. But
just tell him from me that his silk lin
ings don't wear we'll"
She drew down her veil. Mr.
Schneider has a very heavy bill to meet
on Tuesday"
They always have" said, pensive-
". But l am glad to be reminded of
my little account. These-er-these
trif1ing personal matters slip ones
memory"
I CROPPED feebly in my private drawer
She had a prepared receipt ready to ex-
change for my check. Pulling myself
together, I attended the demure little
lady across the room.
This is a capital idea of Schneiders,''
I said, ruefully.
Yes. isn't it?'' she cried, brightly.
DO yOu-er-couect for other firms
as wen?''
oh, for quite a number. They find
a woman can get in where man can't.
used to be a governess, you know, but
able. Perhaps you would like my card?
So many thanks. Good day.
I called William Off harshIy. He
would have bowed her into the street.