The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-11-24
A Game Of Bluff
tOriginal.]

ooibC, uaoiiiuS lOohlbS leiIOW, uTCSSeu Ill
the height of fashion, about thirty years
old, whom 1 had never seen before.
When asked what 1 could 60 for him
he said that he wished me to bring
suit against Il wealthy young widow
for $4,000 for breach of promise of
marriage. Mrs. Fanny Bisscll was
twenty five years old, rich, vivacious.
pretty and desperate flirt. Hamilton,
my client. bad met her during the sum-
NOR. He found her Il notorious CO.
quettc who did not scruplc to engage
herself to a dozen lovers ut one time
1T occurred to me-" he said, to
punish her for such nefarious prac-
tices. It's not money want. I've got
all of it | need. Nevertheless wish
YOU to bring suit for 10000"
l 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. l also found that Jack Hamilton,
as his friends called him. had no bet
ter reputation in such matters than the
woman lie accused of decorating his
heart strings. ! sent polite note to
Mrs. Bsscll making the demand OH
behalf OF my client. and she came to
my Office to sec me. She was, Or pre-
tended to be, highly indignant with
Hamilton, avcrrng that she hardly re-
membCred him, but she tried to find
out from rae what evidence he pos
scsscd in the shape of letters. Hamil-
ton had confessed to nc that lie had
not q scrap Of written evidence, but
expected me to make Il bluff, and he
would not blame me In case OF defeat.
l therefore informed her that l could
not give her any information as to my
clients side OF thc case-but she would,
Of course, remember what she had
written Mr.. Hamilton. With charm
ing naivetc and Il lugubrious SMILE she
admitted that she had said ana written
Il great many foolish things during the
summer, and it would not he possible
to say just what she had written any
special admircr
WELL" she said at the end Of the III
tcrvicw. Il suppose shall have to pay
something. Must pay it all?"
WHY not retain counsel and put in
a dcfense?"
"Oh, dear. no. Have everybody
laughing St me? Not by any means!
ia rathctE Eay it all"
'SuppoStyo make an offer"
Tell him I'll pay half"
She had scarcely left my office when
Hamilton came into 1t. When I told
him that ,hc lady would settle out of
court, paying $25,000, Il look of disap.
pointment crossed his face. I asked
him If he didn't think the amount
enough, and he replied it was cQuiva-
lent 10 paying $4,000 rather than mar
ry him. .
Il suppose" he added lugubriously,
''shc thinks she's getting off 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-so / gave no
advice, coniining myself to obcying 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 $5,-
COO ut n time till the full amount claim
cd was reached, when Hamilton direct
ed me to add q demand OF $4,000 for
counsel fees. | Gemul"red at making
such n charge. but he insisted, ana I
made the demand Of Mrs. BiSsell She
agreed to pay 1t. and 1 supposed the
case was closed, but Hamilton demand
ed written apology for triting with
his affections.
This demand was Indignantly de-
clined. Then Hamilton directed me to
say to Mrs. BiSsell that if she would
meet him at my office and in my pres
ence say that she regretted her fiirta-
tions with other men he would drop
the case without the payment Of any
money whatever. To this, after long
delay, the widow asscnted.
The meeting was to take place at 3
o'clock Oh certain afternoon. Hamil-
ton asked me to stay away from my
office Mt the hour the lady was expect
ed-that is, to be late in coming. l left.
directions that when either Of the two
arrived L. or she was to be shown into
my private Office. 1 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 a number Of those
with whom the defendant in this case
had trifled l determined to withdraw
without proceeding to climax and
sue for damages. / had no case, for
Mrs. Bssell had never promised to be
my wife. Indeed. l had never asked
her. But she had promised so many
that when I brought my bluff suit she
naturally supposed 1 was one of her
accepted suitors. If I have not pun
ished her / have at least taken away
the opportunity for her to do any more