Amador ledger., 1906-02-02
A Broad Hint
IOriginal.l

IOriginaLl
The town of Brookmeadow was built
on two adjoining contiguous plots In a
far western territory. 1t was not
large town, the inhabitants numbering
not more than 100 families, ond nearly
all Of these were original settlers. The
people Of Brookmeadow did not en-
courage newcomers. They were hard
headed sort and did not take kind
ly to mushroom growth. "What good
would it do u.s." said citizen to one
who asked what inducements the peo-
pie would give him to settle among
them, ito get in lot of strangers? AS
we are, we don't need any gov'ment ex-
cept on special occasions. No, sir, we
don't want strangers"
One day settler came to town who
did not ask permission-a sleek, oily
man who could absorb information as
silently as the sun sucks up water, but
never gave out any. A few days after
his arrival "shingle" was hung out
on the street bearing the inscription
Anthony Waxem, Attorney -at-Law."
Brookmeadow thus far had no pro-
fessional man except a doctor and q
parson. The Introduction of a lawyer
was considered superfuous, and the
question was raised whether Mr.. Wax
EN- be allowed to remain. whats the
use a-doin' anything" said old Hon
ker, ''as will do itself? If lawyer
can make livin' in this community,
for my part I'd let him stay. It's my
opinion he'll starve." Old Honker's
opinion was held in great respect in the
town, and it was decided that the law
yer should not be interfered with.
When Mr.. Waxem had been in Brook
meadow three months no citizen had
given him a case, and it was not be-
lieved that he had had case. He had
spent much Of his time away and had
been seen by several of his fellow
townsmen at different times at the
frame shanty located at the county
seat called the courthouse. But, since
he had no law business and no pros
poets Of any, his early departure was
looked for.
One morning there was surprise
sprung on the citizens Of Brookmead-
ow. When they gathered at the post
office to get their mail the postmaster
handed each and every owner Of prop
erty carved out of one Of the contigu-
GUS tracts on which the town was built
a note bearing on the corner Of the en-
velope the name Of Anthony Waxem,
Attomey-at-Law." The recipients Of
these notes were informed that there
was a flaw in the title Of the original
tract whereon their property was To-
Gated. Mr.. WaXem had picked up the
flaw and for a consideration would
give quitclaim deed to every lot. If
this was not satisfactory he gave no
tice that he would begin suits of eject
ment.
Thus half the citizens Of Brookmead-
ow had been euchred by the man whom
they had been waiting to see starve
or depart. They were not an ex-
citable people, but every man left the
postoffice with lowering brow. That
evening a group of prominent citizens
assembled in the meeting house and
appointed committee to have the rec
ords searched with view to deter
mining Mr. Waxem's position, and if
| it was secure to take such measures
as were necessary toward clearing the
title.
1t was one week before the commit
tee were ready to act; then they went
in a body to Mr.. WaXem's office That
gentleman, being perfectly confident
of his legal position and believing that
they had come to offer a compromise,
though he received them urbanely, re-
solved that he would not give an inch
from his original demands.
"Mr. Waxem," said the chairman,
1--WE have taken legal advice and find
that you are right. But these people
bought their lots in good faith and will
not pay blood money. Many Of them
can't afford to pay, and if you insist
they must be turned out of their
homes. Now, we have decided to give
up that part Of the town the title of
which you are interested in to you,
removing all the houses to the other
tract. Will that satisfy your
Perfectly" said the lawyer, consid-
ering the proposition bluff.
with one proviso," continued the
chairman-"that the property held by
you Is to be used for cemetery"
This singular provision somewhat
puzzled Mr.. WaXem.
"We shall need" continued the
chairman, "a corpse with which to
open the cemetery, and we have
thought that in order to do away with
all dispute in reference to the title
that corpse should be the person hold
ing an undisputed right to occupy the
property"
AS the chairman spoke the last words
he opened package he carried under
his arm rolled in an old newspaper
and displayed about twenty feet of
rope, at one end of which was noose
Mr.. WaXem had by this time caught
the spirit Of the argument and turned
| pale.
"Since the dedicatiCa and opening Of
the new cemetery" the chairman went
on, "are appointed for tomorrow after
noon at 8 o'clock perhaps we'd better
prepare the corpse"
The chairman cast his eyes to the
ceiling with a view to discovering
something to which the rope might be
fixed. Mr.. WaXem shook from the bald