Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-04-20
In the Matter
Of Elizabeth
By s. T. STERN
Cnnvrioht 1904 bv g II Stern
By S. T. STERN
Copyright, 1904. by s. 7. Stern

sand dollars separated them socially
| and completely. The elder Miss Lang
ham resided near the middle of the
block In a plutocratic white stone man.
sion. At the corner of the same street
in a modest fat house lived the other
Elizabeth.
Though neither Of them was aware
of the circumstances, these two pos
sessed one link in common His par
! ents knew him as James Carruthers.
His clients and professional friends
called him Jack, the counselor. Miss
Langham knew him as her Oldest and,
he hoped, her best friend. Elizabeth
Langham knew him as her employer.
Elizabeth Langhan. often wondered
that Jim had selected her from two
dozen applicants for the position of ste
nographer in his legal establishment.
A callow graduate from business col
lege, she had hardly hoped to gain ac-
ceptance over score of experienced
typists. The true reason-her name
she never guessed. Still Jim had no
reason to regret his choice. Miss Eliza
beth was neat, pretty and bright. Jim
dictated to her daily, and she tran
scribed without an error.
Not so Miss Langham, the focus of
fifty bachelor aspirations. Jim tried
dictation there only once.
"Mr. Carruthers, said Miss Langham
coldly, 'you are taking mean advan-
tage Of our friendship. You have no
right to criticise my other friends. /
am proud to number Judge Newton
among my friends"
"But he's fifty IL he's day." Jim
persisted.
$50 shall you be, Mr.. Carruthers-
some day Good night"
There were tears after Jim had taken
his departure, but that Jim did not
know. He did know, however, that
Miss Langham had dismissed him, and
he sorrowed accordingly.
TITS that fellow, Colonel Newton"
he unused. "Since they've elected him
a Judge Elizabeth has been indiffer-
ent to me. Mrs. Judge Newton evil
IDENTIFY sounds better to her young
ears than plain Mrs. Jimmy Carruth-
ers." So he foundered homeward In
the slush Of a winter evening and
nursed his first great sorrow.
Sorrow maketh sympathizer.
Jimmy, blue and hopeless, became hui
manitarian in a week. One morning
when his stenographer, Miss Eliza
beth, showed him a court summons
which had been served upon her, de-
manding that she pay the sum of $3.50
forthwith or suffer the entry Of judg-
ment for that cc.ourt Jimmy simply
radiated consolation. "Who is this
Nine. Nellie who is suing you?"
81. never heard of her." was the re-
sponse.
"Mme, Nellie" he said after he had
finished, "seems to be the trade name
Of being whose Christian appellation
Is Michael O'Malley. He says you
ordered one blue dress Of the value Of
$3.50. He swears that you have re-
fused to accept it, and he sues accord
ingly,"
''There must be some mistake. I
never ordered dress one-fourth as
expensive DIS llldl- NOI nave l. SNcl
laid eyes on Nine. Nellie"
'eWhere do you liver" he inquired.
Her reply astonished him. "No, -
Sixth avenue"
.Is that near Forty-seventh street?'
'.lt is on the corner. The side street
is very fashionable. This summons
must be intended for some wealthy
woman near by who doesn't pay her
bills
When Jim saw that the papers were
signed in the name of the Hon.
William Newton, justice, his mind
was made up. He told his secretary
to have no fear. He was happy to
show his appreciation of her faithful
and long continued service.
He tried the case himself. His rival
sat on his bench and glared savagely
at him-at least that is Jimmy's re-
port of the judicial attitude.
As it happened, Nine. Nellie was not
present in the courtroom, having been
detained elsewhere on Jury duty.
In his place he sent two of his as
sistants. One Of them took the stand
at once-a forid faced lady she was,
who confessed amiably that she had
been q dressmaker for twenty-one
years and was approaching her thir-
tieth birthday. cts this way, judge,
yer honor" she testified glibly. mime.
Nellie sent the dress, and. she sent
It back, saying it didn't fit. I didn't
have nothing to do with it, but the
lady in our house as did has assured
me that it fitted to perfection. Nine.
Nellie says Miss Langham should be
compelled to pay"
At this point Jim felt called upon to
explain matters. you see," he start
ed to say, they've got the wrong
Judge Newton waved him aside.
"The issue in this case is simple. Does
| the gown fit? That Is all. 1 would
like to ask Miss Langham a question
or two. Take the stand, miss"
Miss Langham did so.
"What is your name|
Elizabeth Langham."
"Where do you liveT'
"No. = Sixth avenue"
"You may retire to my private cham
Der and don the dress. The plaintiffs
experts will accompany you"
Miss Langham commenced to weep.
IF you please, Judge Newton" she
| stammered.
| do as 1 say" he responded testify.
| sThe court will judge for ITSELF
| Five minutes later Miss Langham
| Ee-entered the courtroom clad i'll the
| gown under dispute. Nine. Nellie's
| expert beamed with satisfaction as she
| addressed the court. You can see
for yourself, judge, yer honor. 1t fits
without wrinkle"
Il should call that az amazingly
good fit" sail Judge Newton, frown
ing, adding by the way of judicial con
cession, "and nightly becoming. II
fits, doesn't it?'
"Y-e-s," said Miss Langham, "but'-
THAT'S all. Judgment for Nine. Mel
lie for the full amount"
Once more Jim rose from his chair
"Wont you permit me to say a few
words? There has been mistake"
"Ihere has not, Mr.. Carruthers, un
less it be your own in endeavoring tC
defend case in which the evidence Is
80 palpably in favor of the other side
On the way back to the office jim
consoled his client. He promised t.
appeal the case to the highest cour
| in the country,