Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-04-26
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l&s&au ing upon it Nicholas Frye, ol
"Old Nick" as many called him. was
the most cunning. Nor did his look:
belle the comparison, for he had deer
set, shifty. yellow gray eyes, a hooked
nose, and his thin locks, dyed jet black
formed a ring about his bald poll. HI
walked with stoop, as If scanning thu
ground for evidence or clews, and t.
add to his marked individuality whM
he talked he rubbed his hands together
as though washing them with invisible
soap. 1t was not from any sense oi
cleanliness that he did this. for thn'
had many times been soiled willingly
in the most nefarious transactions. a
client was to him a victim to be kept
in waiting, exasperated in regard to his
grievances by all possible means, de-
luded as to his chances Of success In
quest Of justice, deceived as to its cost
and robbed in every way known to an
asthte lawyer.
He had been the legal adviser OF
John Mason for many years, and when
that busy merchant came to him on
behalf of his son, who wanted to find
q position for Albert Page, Frye readi'
ly promised to give him employment
It was not because he needed him, but
because he saw at once that through
some friendship for this young sprig
Of the law, as he intuitiyely considered
Albert to be, he could strengthen his
hold upon the father and obtain some
secrets that might eventually be used
to rob him. In plain words, he thought
to use this young country lawyer as q
SPY. He knew that John Mason felt
a keen interest in his only son Frank,
and that was another reason for em.
ploying that sons friend. He knew
also that Frank was given a liberal
allowance, spent 1t rapidly and most
likely would be getting into various
scrapes needing lawyers efforts to
rescue him, and so he would have fur
ther pickings in that direction. These
were two good reasons for his ostensi-
BILE acts of kindness, and so he at once
sent for Page to come.
When, the morning after his arrival
in Boston, Albert presented himself at
Frye's Office, he found that lawyer
busy reading his mail.
"Take seat, sir" said Frye politely,
after Albert had introduced himself,
land excuse me until go through my
letters" And then for a long half
hour Albert was left to study the bare
Office walls and peculiar looks Of his
future employer. Finally Frye turned
to him and asked rather abruptly,
"Well, Mr.. Page, what do you know
about law?" at the same time scanning
him as if expecting to see hayseed ad-
herring to his garments.
"Not much perhaps" replied Albert
modestly, uncertain Of his ground. Il
have been in practice only year at
Sandgate, and the few people there do
not have much use for lawyer"
Then why didn't you stir 'em up a
little and bring 'em to see they needed
your services" was Frye's next query.
"You will never succeed as lawyer
unless you make business. Did you
bring your sheepskin with your
mo, sir" answered Page. 81 didn't
think it necessary after what l wrote
you l have it in my trunk"
"Well, bring it tomorrow" said Frye,
81 make it rule to take nothing for
granted and have everything in writ.
ing" And then he added, with a
searching look, as if he was about to
utter crusher. What is your idea OF
q lawyers chief object in existence?"
Page was a little nonplused. "Oh,
suppose" he replied slowly, Ito see
that laws are properly executed and
justice DONE"
Frye looked at him a full minute
without making any further comment
while sardonic grin gradually drew
his lips apart, showing q full set of
false teeth. and then, as he began rub.
bling his hands together, he said:
"It's evident, young man, you have
much to learn in your profession. Laws
ulS LiuliS lOi ioN Cl . uiiu ulS lAC lOOis
of our trade. If the world does not see
fit to use those tools, it Is our business
to make them, and, as for justice, that
Is an allegory, useful in addressing O
jury, but considered q fable by the
Judge. Laws are useful to oppose 9th
er laws with, and various decisions are
only good in so far as they help YOU
case and hinder your opponents.
"You seem an honest appearing young
man, which is we'll so far as our rela
tions 60, but no further. l want an as
sistant, one who is ready and will
ing to do just as direct and to ask NJ
questions. Do you think you can I'll
the billw
~ can try" replied Albert quietly
"and as soon as I get used to you
methods Of procedure here I think
can succeed"
&. He was a little startled at the pecul
lar character Of his employer and in
way slightly disguised, but he was no
in position to cavil or feel squeamisl
over apparent lack Of honesty and re
solved at once to ignore it.
"What do you wish me to do? b
continued after q moment. II will d
the best can for you and am ready t
20 to work now"
b. hn of nfHNn