The Tupelo journal., 1906-03-23

AQOA ~ SCO Ln0t " SAAAo W~S
readiness. Elwyn IA there, and so
was a deputy sherif. The deputy Lew
led on the banquet. /
Whats this?' cried Benjamin.
ITO secure a little claim Of $500
against you explained Elwyn.
Whose claim"
Mime"
II don't owe you q cent"
Pardon me. I have bought the
claim from your daughter"
1t was several moments before Ben
jamin could fully grasp the import OF
this. Then he understood it all.
"Nonsense!" he cried. That's not
a legal claim!"
1.-THE court" said Elwyn, "can set
tie that question in the morning"
I'm the m~orning!" roared Benjamin.
But the banquet"
1T will be spoiled, of course"
by thunder! / never did think
much of you a a lawyer, but you're
certainly wise enough to know that
I'll have a splendid case for damages
as a result of this ~high-handed out
rage"
1T is possible" admitted Elwyn
thoughtfully, but l have been under
the impression that you would hesi-
tate to sue your son-in-law.'
For a moment it seemed as if Ben
jamin would have a stroke of apo
plexy.
"Son-in-law!" he shouted. Have
you married my daughter"
Not yet"
Then you never SHALL"
II thought" remarked Elwyn insin-
uatingly, that your guests might be
hungry"
This brought Benjamin's mind back
to the thought that his guests were
ready for the march to the banquet
room and were only waiting for him.
Now, see here" he said, threaten
ingly, you know that this is a great
big bluff to annoy me for personal
reasons"
IF it's a bluff" returned Elwyn,
why don't you call it?"
That's what I'm going to do, IL
you're fool enough to force it," as
serted Benjamin. Il want to give you
a chance to avoid trouble first. If you
don't take it, I'll pay your claim now
and get after you by legal process to-
morrow. Why, hang it all! III have
you in Jail! l haven't paid the bill
for this dinner yet, so it doesn't be-
long to me, and you can't levy on q
third party's property"
Il can't?"
mo" 90
But I've done it,"
Benjamin glanced anxiously at the
door behind which his guests were
waiting. There was time for no fur
Their discussion.
I'm pay the claim under protest, to
release the dinner, but look out for me
tomorrow" he said, angrily. You'll
wish you'd never tried any of these
tricks"
at must be paid in currency" an
nounced Elwyn.
Currency" exclaimed Benjamin.
do you think l carry that amount Of
currency in my Tuxedo? I'll give you
a cneck."
Certified"
How can | have a check certified
now"
You can't, but | can't afford to risk
anything but currency OF a certified
check.
Benjamin was desperate.
You'll go to jail" he shouted.
"This is a serious matter"
You'll go hungry" ~retorted Elwyn.
That's a serious matter, too"
What do you expect to gain by
this?" demanded Benjamin. is it re-
venge?"
Revenge has nothing to do with it."
replied Elwyn. "Pm just trying to
show you that l don't lack
fulness."
"You don't" admitted Benjamin.
81 want to prove that l have SOM
professional originality and inge-
nuity."
"You have"
Gin that case, as you objected to me
only because you thought l lacked
these things, l would like to marry
your daughter"
MY boy, said Benjamin, Il with
draw it all. You are going to lie a
success, all in large letters. You have
the kind of a head on your shoulders
that will make the wisest old business
man sit up and begin to take notice.
In your hands / feel that the girls fu-
ture will be safe. II you, will be good
enough to release the dinner | shall
take pleasure in introducing you to my
guests as my prospective son-in-law.
merely as a guaranty of good faith"
Then turning to Tie first of the
guests to enter, he said: Colonel,
permit me to introduce to you the
smartest young lawyer in the United
States. He has just succeeded in col
lecting a bride by legal process in .
most unlawful manner"
And the colonel %pondered that prob
lem deeply without reaching a salts
factory solution.