The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-06-11
DUTY'S
PATH
ny Elliott Flower
Copyright, 1902, by tho
S. S. Mcclure Company
Nv Elliott Flower

TX 5. 5. Mcclure Company
&~sa2ssSSssA~axss cgaGAsssassasSS
The 'briefless barrister" sat in his
little office, writlng-not Il business let
ter but Il love letter. "Brlefless bar
rister' WAS title he had jokingly Civ.
EN- himself. but there was something of
pathos underlying the joke In these
days an oyercrowded profession gives
little opportunity to the young lawyer
without influence to get start, so he
had ample leisure for his love letter,
and this is what he wrote:
Dearest One Business Is rushing-that
is, 1t is rushing right past my office. 1
wish some OF 1t would stop and turn in,
but have too many competitors who are
able to reach out for It. They have influ-
entail friends who turn business their
way or who secure them positions with
established firms.
Still dearest. you mustn't be disheart-
ened. but l know you won't be. Indeed It
seems almost insulting to say this to so
patient and faithful u sweetheart, but l
am saying II for my own benefit rather
than for yours. The struggle is so dis
couraging and disheartening at times that
l can only give myself confidence by
speaking confidently to you But l GER
tainly am gaining. little business Is
coming my way, and l am establishing
myself slowly with men who can give me
more. Then there is the land. In another
six months ! VIII have title to that and
we can be married. Think OF I'll Married
in six months. we who have waited 50
long. and without that | fear we would
have to wait another two years before
my income from the law alone would en-
able me TO care for "a wife. 1 have told
you the history of that barren tract doL-
ems of times, sweetheart; how my father
secured hts claim to II, how he neglected
II, heW irrigation and the development of
contiguous property gave 1t sudden VAL
ne. how he found the title clouded by
prior claim when he came to perfect It,
how he failed to find the other claimant
how he tried to straighten the matter out
legally and all that. like to dwell on 1t
now, sweetheart, for In only six months
more the statute of limitations VIII in
validate
The opening of the door interrupted
him, and he put down his pen as
neat but poorly dressed woman en-
tered
Lawyer Telford2" she asked hest
tatingly.
''Teford Is my name" he answered
W nat tdl L do IOI YOU
Il don't Just know" she answered
doubtfully. Tn poor woman, with
out friends or money, and the lawyer
on the floor below told me he thought
you'd have time to look after my bust
ness"
Sends me all his charity cases, but
never any with money in Them" nut
tered Telford to himself bitterly, but
he spoke kindly to the woman. 1t was
evident that she had seen better days
and disliked to ask even advice as
charity. Indeed her next words show
ed this.
Maybe | can pay YOU" she said.
IF l can, l will Maybe l can pay you
well. | don't know. That's what
want to find out"
Something in her manner won him
There was nothing of the mendicant
iii her. She was neither aggressive nor
whining, speaking timidly. but frankly
and honestly.
Madam" said Telford, courteously
Offering her chair, II know that you
will, and whether you can pay me or
not you shall have the best advice that
can give YOU"
"Than!i You, Sir" she answered TAX
ing the chair and producing some pa
pers from beneath her shawl. "rhc
other lawyer wouldn't even listen to
me when | said | had no money, but
told me TO come to you. And Pm glad
| did, for | know that you'll be honest
with me. You see. | found some pa
pers in an old box after my husband
died-he'd been bedrdden for a long
tlme-and didn't want to burn them
without knowing what they were.
read them through, but | don't know
whether they're worth anything. and
the neighbors don't know, and | had to
find somebody who did know. They're
so legal it seems as if they ought to
represent something"
Telford took the papers she offered,
and ut the first glance his face became
pale, but he read them through careful
ly. Then he leaned back in his chair,
and something In his face frightened
the woman.
''There isn't anything bad in them, is
thereF' she asked
NO." he answered shortly. I'm con-
siderlng what's best to be done"
He got up and walked to window.
where she couldn't see his face.
"Who knows of these papersT he
asked at last.
zone or Two of the neighbors," she
replied. That's all"
Suppose should tell you they were
worth SI00 or $500" he suggested,
speaking with an effort and In voice
strangely unlike the courteous, cheer
full tone In which he had first address
ed her.
"Oh. that would be splendidv she
cried.
would you sell them for thatY
would ~ she repeated jubilantly.
why, Harry could have some new
school clothes. and SO could Ellen.
And maybe Jessie could have some
music lessons-she has such d good
Foice-and | wouldn't have to worry
about the rent for-for- 1t wouldn't
last so very long. would It? But |
could be making more all the time, as
much as | am now, and 1t would be
such help. But you're not joking with
mer she suddenly inquired anxiously.
You'll take $500 and be satisfedp
he asked, with cold deliberateness, ig.
noring her question
IF you advise it," she replied.
He gave barely perceptible start.
1t was professional advice that he was
called. upon to give His honor as
lawyer was involved as well as his
honor as man, and it served to make
the path OF duty, already clear. lust n