The Grit-advocate., 1904-01-15

street .ay in perspective before IN.
window. and along it, out beyond the
confines OF the town, there reached
the fiat monorony of the dark prairi,
soil. A dog crossed the street. mans
ing midway of the crossing to scratch
his ear. The cart of the leading gro
Ger was hitched in front of his store
and an idle citizen or two paused near
by 20 exchange morning greeting. All
the little. uneventful day was begin
ming. as it had begun SO many times
before here in this little, uneventfuI
town. where the world was finished
never more to change. Franklin shud
dered. Was this, then to be his life
There came a regular tread upor
the stair, as there had always for
seven in the morning, rain or shine
Judge Bradley entered, tall, portly
smooth shaven, his silk hat pushed
back upon his brow. as was his fash
ion. Franklin turned to make the
usual morning salutation.
Good morning, Ned" said the
judge, affably.
Good morning Judge" said Frank.
IL. Il hope you are we'll"
Yes, thank you. Nothing ever the
matter with me. How are things com-
ing?"
"Oh. all right, thank you"
This was the stereotyped form of
the daily greeting between the two.
Judge Bradley turned as usual to his
desk. but catching sight of the letter
still held in Franklin's hand, remarked
carelessly:
Got letter from your girl?"
Not so lucky" said Franklin.
From friend"
Silence resulted. Judge Bradley
opened his desk, took off his coat and
hung it on nail. after his custom,
turned over the papers for moment
and remarked absentmindedly, and
more to be polite than because the
matter interested him, Friend. eh?"
Yes" said Franklin. friend out
West; and both relapsed again into
silence. Franklin once more fell to
gazing out of the window, but at
length turned toward the desk and
pulled over his chair to closer speak
ing distance.
Judge Bradley" said he, II
shouldn't wonder if I could pass my
examination for the bar"
well, now" said the judge, 81 hope
you can. That's nice. Coin to hang
out your shingle. eh?"
81 might. if got my license"
"Oh. that's easy" replied the other:
its mostly a matter of form. No
trouble about it-not in the least
Il am clear in my own mind that
don't know much about law" said
Franklin, land | should not think of
going up for examination if that end.
ed my studies in the profession. If
were intending to go into practice
here, sir, or near by, | should not
think of applying for admission for at
least another year. But the fact IS,
I'm thinking Of going away"
Coin away?" Judge Bradley
Strengthened up, and his expression
if anything was one of relief. He had
his own misgivings about this grave
faced and mature young man should
he go into the practice at the Bloms-
bury bar. 1t was well enough to en-
courage such possibilities to take their
test in some other locality. Judge
Bradley therefore became more cheer
full. Coin away, eh?" he said.
Where to-"
Out West" said Franklin, uncon-
sciously repeating the phrase which
was then upon the lips of all the
young men of the country.
Out West, eh?" said the judge. with
still greater cheerfulness. That's
right, that's right. That's the place
to go to, where you can get better
chance. l came West in my day my.
self, though it isn't West now; an
that's how l got my start There's
ten chances out there to where there's
one here, an you'll get better pay for
what you do. I'd advise it, sir-Id ad-
wise it; yes, indeed"
Il think it will be better said
Franklin calmly.
Ito be continued.)