The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-09-20
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
F al the smooth, elusive vul-
lures lurking in the shadow Of
N5sT7?ss the temple of justice or perch
EHSSSW ing upon it Nicholas Frye, or
"Ola Nick" as many called him. w:tS
the most cunning Nor did his looks
belle the comparison, for he had deep
SET. shifty, yellow gray eyes. hooked
nose, and his thin locks, dyed jet black,
formed ring about his bald poll. He
walked with 4 stoop. as if scanning the
ground for evidence or clews, and to
add to his marked individuality when
he talked he rubbed his hands together
as though washing them with invisible
soap. II WAS not from any sense OF
cleanliness that he did this. for they
had many times been soiled willingly
in the most n"[lrious transactions. \
client was to him victim TO be kept
IN waiting. eXaSpcratcd in regard TO bis
grievances by all possible means. de-
luded as 20 his clances OF success in
quest Of justice. deceived as to lis cost
and robbed in every way known to an
astute 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
g position for Albert Page. Frye read1-
Is 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 sprlg
Of the Law, as le intuirirely 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
spv. He knew that John Mason felt
8 keen interest in his only son Frank,
and that was another reason for en-
ploying that sons friend. He knew
also that Frank was given a liberal
allowance. spent II rapidly and most
likely would be getting into various
scrapes needing i lawyers efforts to
rescue him. and so he would have fur
thcr pickings in that direction. These
were two good reasons for his ostcnsi-
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, be found that lawyer
busy reading his mail.
Take seat, sir" said Frye politely,
after Albert had introduced himself.
"and excuse me until l go through my
letters. And then for a long half
hour Albert was left to study the bare
Office walls ard peculiar looks Of his
future employer. Finally Frye turned
TO him and asked rather abruptly,
We'll, Mr. page, what do you know
about law" ct 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 a 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 en- to see they needed
your services!" was Fryes next query.
You will never succeed us Il lawyer
| unless you make business Did you
bring your sheepSkin with you:"
No, SIR" answered Page. Il didn't
think 1t necessary after what wrote
you have it in my trunk.
We'll, bring it tomorrow said Frye.
IL make it a 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
lawyers chief object in existence:'
Page was little nonplused. "Oh, I
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 a full set Of
false teeth. and then, as he began rub
bing his hands together, he said:
It's evident. young man. you have
much to learn IN your profession. Laws
are made for lawyers and are the tools
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 allesory, useful in addressing a
jury, but considered fable by the
tudre. LAWS are useful to oppose 9TH