The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-11-20
A Game Of Bluff
Ioriginan

the height OF fashion, about thirty years
old. whom | had never seen before
When asked what | could do for hin
he said that he wished me to bring
suit against wealthy young widow
for $4,000 for breach Of promise OF
marriage. Mrs. Fanny Bissell was
twenty-five years old. rich, viyaclous
pretty and desperate firt. Hamilton
my client, had met her during the sum
mer. He found her a notorious Co
quette who did not scruple TO engage
herself to a dozen lovers at one time.
~It occurred to me-" he said, ''tc
punish her for such nefarIous prac-
tees. It's not money want. I've got
all of 1t need. Nevertheless l wish
you to bring suit for $4,000
took the case, but before proceed
ing legally made inquiries about the
principals, learned that all the plain
tiff had said about the defendant was
true. also found that Jack Hamilton,
as his friends called him, had no bet.
ter reputation in such matters than the
woman he accused of decorating his
heart strings. | sent polite note to
Mrs. Blssell making the demand on
behalf OF my client, and she came Ia
my Office to see me. She was, or pre-
tended TO be. highly indignant with
Hamilton, averring that she hardly re-
membered him, but she tried to find
out from me what evidence he pos
sessed In the shape of letters. Hamil-
ton had confessed TO me that he had
not scrap Of written evidence, but
expected me to make bluff, and he
would not blame me In case OF defeat.
I therefore informed her that | could
not give her any information as TO my
clients side of the case-but she would,
Of course remember what she had
written Mr. Hamilton. With charm.
ing naivete and lugubrious smile. she
admitted that she had said and written
a great many foolish things during the
summer. and 1t would not be possible
to say just what she had written any
special admirer.
Well she said at the end Of the In
terview. Il suppose shah have to pay
something Must pay 1t ala"
"Why not retain counsel and put In
a defenseT'
"Oh, dear. no! Have everybody
laughing at me? Not by any means!
I'd rather pay 1t all"
Suppose you make an offer"
''Tell him Ill pay half
She had scarcely left my office when
Hamilton came into 1t. When | told
him that the lady would settle out Of
court. paying $4,000. look or disap-
pointment crossed his face | asked
him II he didn't think the amount
enough. and he replied 1t was equIva-
lent to paying $4,000 rather than mar
~ him.
II suppose" he added lugubriously,
''she thinks she's getting OF cheap.
Tell her that her offer is not accepted"
1t was plain that money had nothing
to do with the case at least so far as
my client was concerned gave no
advice, combining myself to obeying or
ders. Transmitting the refusal to the
defendant received by way Of reply
an offer Of $4,000. This was declined,
and the amount offered was raised S.
600 at a time till the full amount claim
ed was reached, when Hamilton direct
ed me 60 add a demand OF $1,000 for
counsel fees. I demurred at making
such charge, but he insisted, and
made the demand Of Mrs. Bisseil. She
agreed to pay It, and | supposed the
case was closed, but Hamilton demand
ed a written apology for trialng with
his affections,
This demand was Indignantly de
clined. Then Hamilton directed me to
say to Mrs. Blssell that IL she would
meet him at my office and in my pres
ence say that she regretted her flirta-
tons with other men he would drop
the case without the payment Of any
money whatever. To this. after long
delay. the widow assented
The meeting was TO take place at 3
o'clock on a certain afternoon, Hamil-
ton asked me to stay away from my
office at the hour the lady was expect
ed--that Is, to be late Id coming, left
directions that when either of the two
arrived he or she was to be shown into
my private Office. | arrived at half
past 3. Hamilton and Mrs. Bis
sell had arrived and were so engaged
with each other that they did not
notice my coming. Indeed. they were
clasped in each others arms. cough
ed to make them aware OF my pres
ence: they started and Hamilton came
forward.
you have won the case | wanted to
win" he said, "and will now explain.
Having been one OF number OF those
with whom the defendant In this case
had trihed determined to withdraw
without proceeding to climax and
sue for damages. had no case, for
Mrs. Bissell had never promised to be
my wife. Indeed. had never asked
her. But she had promised so many
that when brought my bluff suit she
naturally supposed was one Of her
accepted suitors, II / have not pun
Ished her l have at least taken away
the opportunity for her to do any more
damage
Perhaps may be allowed q word
Of explanation, said the blushlng lady.
when the famous Jack Hamilton