Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-08
Assn MPSIT. +"
INVOLVING BREACH OF PROMISE.
q story.)

ments more lasting than bronze ~
caused the world to ring with his achieve
monts-no. not that-but simply because
he had purchased a new sign, and there
on were inscribed in gilt the simple
words "Gustavus Mitchell. Attorney al
| Law" He was new in his business-wo-
! fully new. In fact-and 20 confess the
truth. awaited his first case. Even now
the memory Of recent examinations
haunted his mind and as he looked back
! he shivered at the thought Of the ecu
cati0nal sweat-box from which ne mao
/ emerged. He was not brilliant, ana haa
| forged his way through college by pro-
cess Of mental blacksmithing. which be-
/ spoke perseverance rather than Intellect.
! But IL was all over now, and the worlu
was before him-that is, in the LITERAL
rather than the hgurative sense. Inc
world Is always before young attorneys
but many have been known 10 perish ere
they reached it, Still. he was only man.
and the sight OF his name IN print de-
lighted him. He was but human Wnen ne
imagined that many would pause before
his modest shingie, and then rush up 10
his little office in quest Of that boarded
lore he had 50 dearly bought. Doubtless
many did pause before the modest shin
gle. but few. indeed, rushed up 10 his
little office. During the first month there
were eight callers-five jubilant college
mates. anxious to note his success; book
agent, a peddler and a patronizing friend
eager 20 test the lawyers knowledge by
accepting gratuitous advice. For four
weeks the office clock with unceasing
tiCklngs fought the stiffness Of his sur
roundlngs until he felt that he hungered
for noise lie experienced a desire 10
shrek out against the pail OF monotony
that smothered him-to grapple with the
intangible monster and choke it into in
teresth.g form. And still the days went
on. but something told the young attOr-
ney that all was not gold that glittered
IN his sign. The spirit OF litigation evil
IDENTIFY had ceased. He concluded that the
millennium Of brotherly love had come;
that even friendly lawsuits would shock
the religious community. The words
"innocuous desuetude' frequently
crossed his mind. They had been
favoritos with certain pro-
fessor when he dwelt on the disuse Of
obsolete writs or superannuated remedies
Of the Common Law. Gustavus Mitchell |
feared that he too. would soon reach this |
state. He wondered If the status was |
He began 10 grow desper- |
ate. He thought of self-destruction. lie |
concluded that the ancients were narrow |
minded when they frowned down on sui !
.ide and classed IL as a felony.
In short, he became wild, and then the
rods sent him soace. A woman came.
my woman would have been acceptable
hen; a pretty woman was a hundredfold
o. This one was pretty. and the spirit
T litigation flashed in her eye. At least,
o the young attorney thought. but closer
lspectiOn revealed tear. The slightest
'Ord Of consolation would have opened
hose optical sluices and made the lti-
ant but q weeping female. Then SYM
athy would have been required But Au-
ustus Mitchell knew he could not give
'arranty for the quality Of this article
s furnished by his LEGAL education, so he
oughed. Yes. gave a friendly. concilia-
ny approving cough such as the pre-
sdents Of many by-gone generations re-
lired on Ike occasions. Mutual equani-
ity followed
Are you Mr.. Augustus Mitchell. the
ttOrney at law" was the first query ,
ON the imm!nenuy .achrymose client.
Yes ! am he" quoth Augustus. the
lrty Of the second part. as he fought 10 ..
ppress a smile Of pleasure at being ad- ,
essed as a lawyer. If you desire pro- :
ssional advice / shall gladly spare you
hour lie would have spared her six .
onths.
Il have been cruelty wronged and am
deep trouble. Mr.. Mitchell" murmured :
g sweet destroyer OF mOnOtony. and
en- the second tear. which fought ad-
ssion 10 the outside world gave a pre- :
1inary sparkle. D
Mitchell was now fully convinced that y
@ girl was pretty. THE object OF the L
y, Madam" responded the attorney. II
mpously, quoting verbatim from a we'll a
own text-writer with great effect. "is
define rights and secure redtss for G
ongs State your case, and ] shall en- u
lvor TO suggest your remedy" a
oh, sir you misunderstood me-you s.
sunderstand me-" came the quick re- q
=. Il am not sick-I don't need a s.
NEEDY. / never took any medicine in "
, life. Mine is a pain Of the heart" 81
lr. Mitchell patiently and humbly ex-
aimed that there were legal remedies Il
well as medical-that dollars were the p
ded pills that restored constitutions d
rning with the litigious fever. W
1 see, | see,' exclaimed the cnent. "
ishing at her ready display Of igno- h,
nee, but with no ring Of ayarice in her 10
Ice. 81
augustus. though resolved at any cost III
TO permit the escape Of his fair patron. III
sgested that his time was limited; m
~ ia another hour he had an important te
sagement. He did not explain that this he
5agement was for dinner, az. that he eX
uld have allowed the statute Of limita-
ms 10 bar thousand meals rather than tn
@ the case Of this sweet client. wi
You lawyers are always busy. SUD- Of
ie," ventured the fearful visitor who Sc
ugh inclined 10 be chatty, seemed TO a
.se hidden sorrow. hi
Yes, always busy" repeated the at Oh
ney, acquiescing in what struck him m,
the greatest falsehood Of the day. and SUI
u he added: but tell me. Madam, er.
ats the trouble?' If
But it's not Madam; it's Miss" came lar
luick reply and bushes foated ike .
cate nimbus clouds over the gentle lint
e. That's the whole trouble" she rer
lmed. 1T ought TO be Madam, but il old
[. II 1t were I wouldn't be here" on
looked as II tear No. was about 10 the
the light Of day. OF
regret your bereavement softly ~
Injured Mr.. Mitchell, who supplement- ev,
this consoling remark with second Ger
pathetic cough. in
.oure misunderstanding me again dnt
Mitchell" ENORMOUSLY complained the ron
NJ. It's not bereavement that makes II
sorrow, it's loss. but you could sop
lly cali il bereavement. The dead tina
e wounds that heal, but it's the living her
break our hearts" anv
preach OF promise suit, by Jove." the
the hitherto respondent Augustus 10 10
ief and then. fluttering with excite Mr.
/, he put further questions, and grad 81
ELECTED the ground work OF his frs, this
~ - 49, the story he noticed TO 7
ms cHent though perhaps not ex- Il
81 So" v, me- was bright and sun
re- - &c ne was ne surmised innC
0'0'' 'Hal she was a country "bu
- ..,. Is q