The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-23
tcontinued)


Lady Fsassett hesitated a moment. but
az last responded 20 this invitation.
Sir one thing that discourages me cruel
ly-py solicitor seems so inferior to Mr..
Bassetts. He can think Of nothing but
objections; and so he does nothing, and
lets US be trampled on: IL IL his being
unable 10 cope with Mr. Bassetts soil
citor, Mr.. Wheeler, that has led me in
my deep distress 10 trouble you. whom
/ had not the honor OF knowing"
Il understand your ladyship perfectly
Mr.. Oldhed Is a respectable solicitor,
and Wheeler IL a sharp country prac-
titioner; and-to use my favorite Amer
lean eXpression-you feel like fighting
with blunt knife against sharp one"
THAT is my feeling. sir and II drives
me almost wild sometimes"
For your comfort then. In my earlier
ltigationSr-I have had sixteen lawsuits
for myself and other oppressed people
| had often that very impressions but
the result always corrected e. Legal
battles are like other battles; first you
have skirmish or two and then "A great
battle In court, Now sharp attorneys are
very apt 10 win the skrmish and lose
the battle. | see a gentleman OF this
stamp In Mr.. sWheeler and you need
not fear him much. or course an an
tagonist is never 10 be despised: but |
would rather have Wheeler against YOU
than Oldheld. An honest man like Old
fie!d blunders into wisdom. the Lord
knows how. Your Wheeler seldom gets
beyond cunning and cunning does not
get far enough 20 cope with men OF real
sagacty and forethought In matters so
complicated as this. oldhed. acting for
Bassett,> would have pushed rapidly on
ito an examination by the court. You
would have evaded IL. and put yourself
I'm the wrong: and the inquiry. well
urged might have been adverse to Sir
Charles. Wheeler has taken a more cum
ming and violent course--it strikes more
terror. does more immediate harm. but
what does II lead TO? Very little and
II disarms them Of their sharpest weapon.
the immediate inquiry. for we could now
delay and greatly prejudice an inquiry
on the very ground OF the outrage and
unnecessary violence: and could demand
time to get the patient as well as he was
before the outrage. And. indeed, the
court is very Jealous Of those who begin
by tryfug TO dispose OF the case them
selves. And to make matters worse, here
they do IL by straining an act of par
lament opposed 10 equity"
II wish II may prove so, sir; but. |
meantime. Mr. Wheeler is active. Mr.
Old6ed Is passive. He has not an idea
He is a mere negative"
"Ah. that is because he is out OF his
groove. A smattering OF the law IL not
enough here. II wants smattering Of
human nature. too"
"Thep. sir. would you advise me 70
part with Mr.. Oldheld?"
mo. Why make an enemy? Besides.
he is the vehicle Of communication with
the other side. You must simply ignore
him for the time"
> But is there nothing can do. sir?
IrtIl-
Pray advise me--you know all now
Mr.. Roife, thus challenged. begged for
a poments delay.
'Let US be silent minute" said he.
"and think hard"
And TO Judge by his face he did think
with great intensity.
Lady Bsssett said he very gravely,
Il assume that every fact you and Mr..
Angelo have laid before me Is true and
no vital part is kept back Well then
your present course is--deiay Not the
weak delay Of those who procrastinate
what cannot be avoided but the wise
delay OF a geperal who can bring no
overpowering forces. only give him time.
Understand me. there is more than one
game on the cards: but I prefer the
surest We could begin fighting openly
tomorrow; but that would be risking TOO
much for too little The laws delay,
thorny way. would hurt Sir Charles mind
at present. The apathy. the cruelty the
trckery the routine. the hot and cold
flts OF hope and fear, would poison your
blood perhaps lose Sir Charles the heir
he pines for. Besides. II we give the bat
tie today we fight the heir at law; but
In three or four months We may have him
on our side. and trustees appointed by
you. BY that time. too. Sir Charles will
have got over the abominahle capture,
and be better than he was n week ago,
constantly soothed and consoled-as he
will be--by the hope Of offspring. When
the right time comes. that moment we
strike and with a sledge hammer. No
letter 10 the commissioners then. no pc
tnioning chancery 10 send a Jury 70 tde
asylum stronghold Of prejudice. l will
cut your husband in two. Don't be
alarmed. I will merely give him. with
your help. an alter ego. who shall effect
his liberation and ruin Richard Bassett
ruin him in damages and costs. and
drive him out Of the country. perhaps.
Meantime you are not 10 be lay figure,
or n mere negative
"Oh. sir. I am 40 slad Of that"
Far from that. you Will act defen-
siyely MIR. Bassett has one cnance: YOU
must be the person to extinguish H. In
iudicious treatment in the asylum might
retard sir Charles cure: their leeches and
their sedatives. administered by sucking