Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-12-13
A Game cf Bluff



was at work in niy office one day
when ] received a vLst from a hand
some, dashing looking Fellow, dressed In
the height of fashion, about thirty years
old, whom / had nefer seen before.
When asked what / could do for him
he said that he wished me to bring
suit against a wealthy young widow
for $4,000 for breach Of promise Of
marriage. Mrs. Fanny Bissell was
twenty-five years Old, rich, vlvacious,
pretty and desperate dirt. Hamilton,
my client, had met ler 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.
1T occurred to me-" he said, ito
punish her for such nefarious prac-
tees. It's not money! want. I've got
all of 1t l need. Nevertheless 1 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 l sent polite note to
Mrs. Bissell making the demand on
behalf of riy client, and she came to
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. Hamll-
ton had confessed to me that he had
not scrap Of written evidence, but
expected me Ia make bluff, and he
would not blame me In case OF defeat.
I therefore Informed her that l 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
great many foolish things during the
summer, and 1t would not be possible |
to say just what she had written any |
special admirer. (!
We'll" she said at the end Of the In !
terview, Il suppose l shall have to pay !
something Must pay it allf"
"Why not retain counsel and put In
a defense?"
ooh, dear, no! Have everybody
laughing at me? Not by any means!
I'd rather pay 1t ALL"
Suppose you make an offer"
"Tell him III pay half"
She had scarcely left my office when
Hamilton came into IT, When l told |,
him that the lady would settle out Of
court paying $4,000, a look Of disap-
Dolntment crossed his face. | asked
him IL he didn't think the amount
enough, AZ he replied 1t was vquiva-
lent to paying $4,000 rather than mar
ry him.
81 suppose" he added lugubriously.
"she 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
advice, combining myself to obeying or
ders Transmitting the refusal to the
defendant, l received by way Of reply
an offer Of $4,000. This was declined,
and the amount offered was raised So
900 at a time till the full amount claim
ed was reached, when Hamilton direct
ed me to add a demand of $4,000 for
counsel fees. l demurred at making
such a charge, but he insisted, and
made the demand Of Mrs. Bissell. She
agreed to pay it, and l supposed the
case was closed but Hamilton demand
ed a written apology for trihing 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 firta-
lions 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
O'Clock OH 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 In coming. l left
directions that when either of the two
arrived he or she was to be shown into
my private office | arrived at half
past g. 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 l wanted to
win," he said, land will now explain
Having been one Of q number Of those
with whom the defendant in this case 4
had trihed determined to withdraw ,
without proceeding to a climax and :
Mrs. Bissell had never promised to be I
my wife. Indeed, l had never asked =
her, But she had promised so many I
that when brought my bluff suit sho
naturally supposed l was one Of her
accepted suitors. If I have not pun
shed her I have at least taken away
the opportd unity for her to do any more
damage"
Perhaps l may be allowed a word
IF explanation" said the blushlng lady.
when the famous Jack Hamilton G
came among uS-famous for his es- c
,apades and conquests-all the women 4
said that il had a game to play he
would play me a more desperate one.
But made up my mind | would land b
him and I've done It." o
"Having heard both your stories" 4
'eplled, 81 nave to inform you that you
ire as graCeleSs a pair of scamps as l s.
,ver met However. am glad to have