The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-10-03
EBEN LUFK/N LAWYER,


Roach Il Lufkln, ,AttOrneyS-at-LaW.
That was the firm name, but every
body, including the Office boy and the
sook-keeper, knew that Lufkin, Eben
Lufkin, didn't amount to much either
N the affairs Of the office, as lawyer
r as an individual. He was older
han Judge Roach, simmer, slower.
more silent, an old-fashioned bachelor.
AS matter of fact, his position in the
irm was more that Of chief clerk than
partner. He wrote most Of the letters
by hand" small, beautiful. legible
hand, of which he was very proud.
Judge Roach made allowances" FOX
'Eben," as he called him. They had
been classmates at college, and the
Judge remembered that Lufkin had
been his guide, counsellor and friend
At school. In business, though, things
we're different. Roach Was assertive.
confident, pushing. He had up-to-
late methods and wore up-to-dats
clothes. Lufldn had the scholarship
without any ability to get there"
Roach was one Of those men who
would have succeeded from section
land to superintendency. He got
next" to everything. After ten years
If profitable law practice he began to
'egard Eben more as one of the Office
fixtures than as friend and equal.
Being wealthy by inheritance, the
:ivision OF profits with Lufkin didn't
natter to Judge Reach, but his part
1er's cautious, hesitating, methodical
ways began to seem irksome. Lufkin
imagined that he was the safety OF
he partnership. Roach begaa to think
le was hindrance; dead weight.
tie no longer felt the need Of an ad-
wiser, and he resented criticism. Eben
eldOm ventured to interfere with af-
airs, but Roach felt" that his acts
were estimated, his words weighed.
lis manners considered, his behavior
criticised by the silent, watchful, gen.
lie old fellow behind the desk. Even
Lufkin's rusty black alpaca coat
ooked like tacit remonstrance
against Roach's smart blue serge
military"
Hes too SLOW" thought the judge.
Hes a boy yet" said Lufkin to
himself.
Wonder If Eben'll stand it. thought
Roach, when he made up his mind to
employ young woman stenographer.
"A good wife would make man of
lim," mused Lufkin, who didn't know
.nything about the impending innova-
ion.
The new stenographer was the
laughter of one of the firms deceased
.lients. She was a southern girl, with
! bruno, serious face, much wavy
,lack hair, wistful gray-blue eyes and
! distant manner. Mr.. Lufkin looked
It her as he might have looked at a
TRANCE, beautiful insect when his part
Ter stammered an Introduction, but he
ook the large, white hand she held
nut to him and said:
Thank you, Miss Gildersleeve."
He was always polite like that,
wen to clerks, servants and beggars,
nd Judge Roach had an idea that it
vas one of the qualities that helped to
.eep Eben down. When Miss Glider
leeve had been duly installed in her
title corner, Lufkin seemed to forget
er presence altogether except when he
ntered and left the Office Then it was
Good morning, Miss Gildersleeve," or
Good evening, Miss Gildersleeve," but
o more. She had been in the Office |
wo months before he ventured to die
ate q letter. But he didn't keep it up.
Ie seemed to prefer writing his own
stters with a pen. Judge Roach, on
he contrary, never had written SO
1any letters. In fact, Eben. who nat
rally overheard everything, had never |
nown that his partner belonged to so |
1any clubs, went to so many places.
nav - many fashionable ladies', wss !