The Portland daily press., 1901-02-26
A LAWYERS TRIALS.
Many Interruptions While On a
KnOtty case.

Longer.
Studious and severe Of aspect, wiry and
elongated in build. he sat at desk in his
Dearborn street law office unrayeling the
details Of a knotty case in which he had
been retained and chewing the end Of an
unlighted cigar.
A knock at the door disturbed him.
'Come in," he said.
A woman entered, carrying a paste
board box. which she opened, exposing
several small cakes of soap.
''will you be so kind as to assist meT7
she said in the smooth. wen oiled voice
of a professional Only 10 cents a
cake"
"Do / seem to need washing, madam?'
he asked.
"Oh, no; / thought you might like to
assist me a little"
do l look like man in any danger Of
dying richT'
"only 10 cents a cake, and IL you will
please assist me"-
II never assist anybody who mixes
soap and charity. With the utmost re-
spect for you, madam. good morning."
He turned again to his desk.
Five minutes later his door opened and
a well fed, prosperous man of African
parentage, wearing n Prince Albert-or
King Edward VII-coat and high silk
hat, came in, made an elaborate bow
and without word presented greasy,
dogs cared passbook, with a printed in
PRODUCTION pasted on the first page.
Struggling churchF'
"Yes. sab"
'Do l look ike a man in immediate
danger of suffering the disgrace Of dying
richf'
Again he turned to his work, and the
intruder went softly out.
But the door presently opened third
time, and a man with a bare and oh.
trusive stump OF left arm thrust well
forward came in, carrying a bunch of
lead pencils in his right hand.
"NTister," he said. waving his stump
eloquently and speaking in plaintive
tremolo, would you be SO kind
"Do l seem to strike you as a man
about to disgrace himself by dying rich?"
interrupted the other. Il have pencils
enough to last me ten years. Please
close the door as you go out"
Once more he took up the tangled
thread of his law case.
There was knock at the door, and a
young woman entered.
He did not look around.
DO look like man--oh, it's a War
Cry, is it7 Here's your nickel. Give the
paper to that heathen in the room across
the hall"
HE sent me in here"
Did he? All right. Here's another
nickel. Give him war whoop."
Ten minutes elapsed, and he was max
ing some progress with his brief when a
soft voice at his ear startled him
'Will you please give us something for
the hospital fund.-"
do look like a man." he thundered.
"who-er-yes, l suppose so. Here's a
quarter"
The two Sisters Of Charity went noise
Iessly out, but before he could lock the
door a blind man entered, led by boy.
Gentleman" said the blind man, put
ting on the soft pedal. will you please
buy lead pencil and help poor BIZ
"Say, do / look like a-but there's no
use asking you that! mol Do you hear
that? mol No!'
'Thank you very much" said the blind
man in the same pensive monotone as
the boy dragged him out.
The next caller was a man OF business
like appearance, with square package
under his arm.
"Are you interested in Balza9T' he In
quired.
"No, sir. am interested just now in
the case Of McGillicuddy versus Multi
gatawney--if any body should ask you"
! II can show you a new edition, COM
| plete. elegant binding, with Illustrations,
for only $50"
"Do | look Ike a man about to undergo
/ the disgrace of dying rich, sir? Have
I from ~ pf VnrifRr-
ated the victim. IL wouldn't buy your
Balzac il you had a pile of him as high
ms the moon and offered me the whole
stack for 30 cents. Do l succeed in max
ing myself understood"
| "You do, sir. l could hear you IL you
didn't talk half as loud" responded the
/ caller, sauntering out and whistling
"Come and Kiss Your Baby" as he saun-
| tered.
Then he locked and bolted his door.
| Another quarter of an hour had elapsed
when he was reused from his meditations
! By loud knocking
| "Who is itf"
"John w. Gates"
He went to the door aud opened IL.
| A little boy stood outside.
"Is this Mr.. GwillamsT asked the
boy.
"Yes What do you want?"
81 saw the name on the door. Mr.. CIVIL
iisms," said the boy In a high keyed
voice and with declamatory style, his
| eyes rowing about as he spoke. 'My name
| is Johnny Gates. am the son Of poor
woman with piano, on which she gives
lessons. am endeayoring to aid her IN
supporting the family by embarking ia
| business myself. 1t may seem strange tor
one so young as / to embark In business.
| Nevertheless, such is the fact. l do not
ask for charity. sir, or madam, as the
case may be. Far from it. | can truly
say / have no desire to accept money
from anybody without rendering a full
equivalent therefor. In taking this posi-
tion, which, / think, win commend it
SELF
What are you selling, Johnnyf'
"Chewing gum. sir. Only half dime
81 don't want any gum. Johnny. but If
you will stay outside my door for the
! next two hours and tell every one who