The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-09-25
EBEN LUFKIN, LAWYER.


Roach &c Lufkin. Attorneys-at-Law." (
That was the firm name but every
body, including the Office boy and the
book-keeper, knew that LuflSin, Eben
Lufkin, didn't amount to much either
in the affairs CT the office, as a lawyer
or as an individual. He was older
than Judge Roach, simmer, slower,
more silent, an old-fashioned bachelor
AS matter of fact, his position in the
firm was more that of chief clerk than
partner. He wrote most of the letters
'by hand" a small, beautiful, legible
hand, of which he was very proud.
Judge Roach made allowances" for
"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
were different. Roach was assertive,
confident, pushing. He had up-to-
date methods and wore up-to-date
clothes. Lufllin had the scholarship
without any ability to get there"
Roach was one Of those men who
would have succeeded from section
hand to SUPPLEMENTARY He got
next" to everything. After ten years
OF profitable law practice he began to
regard Eben more as one of the office
fixtures than as a friend and equal.
Being wealthy by inheritance, the
division Of profits with Lufkin didn't
matter to Judge Reach, but his part
ner's cautious, hesitating, methodical
ways began to seem irksome. Lufkin
imagined that he was the safety of
the partnership. Roach began to think
he was a hindrance; dead weight.
He no longer felt the need of an ad-
wiser, and he resented criticism. Eben
seldom ventured to interfere with af-
fairs, but Roach felt" that his acts
were estimated his words weighed,
his manners considered, his behavior
criticised by the silent, watchful, gen
tie old fellow behind the desk. Even
Lufkins rusty black alpaca coat
looked like a 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 a young woman stenographer.
"A good wife would make man of
him." mused Lufkin, who didn't know
anything about the impending innoVa-
ton.
The new stenographer was the
daughter of one of the firms deceased
clients. She was southern girl, with
a bruno, serious face, much wavy
black hair, wistful gray-blue eyes and
a distant manner Mr.. Lufkin looked
at her as he might have looked at a
strange, beautiful insect when his part
ner stammered an introduction, but be
took the large, white hand she held
out to him and said:
THANK you, Miss Gildersleeve."
He was always polite like that
even to clerks, servants and beggars
and Judge Roach had an idea that i
was one Of the qualities that helped t
keep Eben down When Miss Glider
sleeve had been duly installed in he
little corner, Lufkin seemed to forge
her presence altogether exceptwhen h'
entered and left the office. Then it wa
Good morning, Miss Gildersleeve, I" o
Good evening. Miss Gildersleeve," bu
no more. She had been in the offic
two months before he ventured to dix
tate a letter. But he didn't keep it III
He seemed to prefer writing his ow
letters with a pen. Judge Roach, O
the contrary, never had written s
many letters In fact, Eben, who ma
urally overheard everything, had neve
known that his partner belonged to s
many clubs. went to so many place
knew SO many fashionable ladies' wa