Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-09

price at that time, I've no douhts ~ :
The fact is / wanted a chs~
think. Fifty dollars, She $50 %
believes that lawyers are higbvav-
The whole affair has not tatss 80 q
more than an hour of my time Ts.ss
count the half hour spent az the ~ J.
sea. That was recreation and .,e usa.
ment. aaass-
/ think I will send in a hin o..
cents and make joke Of 1t. But ~
might not Ike that. Yes. she car 80 IS
a joke. 1 know she can. <But -.
wouldn't 1t be bit rude-ratba, -
presuming2 "
Yet why not? Jack Merriam
one of my best friends. I have bss, ! !.
their home, and all that.
am glad I don't have to dec,d. =.
question of the bill at this time m
see what shall do at the end !, -.
month. &c
1 have been working very hard Ia.
ly. The Thayer case has gone throny,
the mill again. and our side gained /,
but the other side made federal onss'
ton of the thing and sued out a urs,
of error In the supreme court ~ ,hs
United States.
The case is now locked ND .befo,s
that august tribunal. The evidence
fills 200 pages.
In addition to this and Eve or six
other cases up for trial, ] have hsd
a good deal of business to transac,
for Mrs. Merriam.
Right here I must say that nv con.
science is not unclouded. To be sure
I have stirred up no lawsuits nor
am guilty Of the crimes Of main.
tenance and champerty. But I am
forced to confess that have rendered
her business more complicated than II
might have be- n.
To put It pla ally. have made pro-
fessional conferences necessary where
by little management, they might
have been avoided. I have advised her
to ask advice. entwined her business
with red tape.
Yet have not mismanaged her az
fairs. have made money for her, and
she knows 1t.
at the end of the first month sent
in my bill. ITO professional services
rendered, 100 cents"
And. do you know, she refused to pay
IT. She sent it back with note claim.
ing that the charge was exorbitant
and that she thought 30 cents was
fair compensation for my services.
Yes, she has a sense of humor, all
right!
Well, I tore up the bill and wrote
another, putting 80 in the place Of 100,
and the return mail brought me her
check on the Manhattan Trust CON-
pany for 80 cents. since which have
rendered her no more bills.
Yesterday afternoon, while / was
debating a letter to my stenographer.
the Office boy looked in from the main
room and remarked:
MRS. Merriam's outside"
A few minutes later 1 had sent the
stenographer to his machine. and she
was following me into my private Of
fee.
I'm so sorry to have kept you wait
ing" said. But that letter just had
to be finished. Have this chair. Mrs
Merriam. Now, what can 1 do for
your
She seemed somewhat embarrassed
"Mr Burton she began.
Then she stopped. l waited
You've been my lawyer for some
time, and I've learned to respect your
Judgment There is something about
which 1 would like your professional
advice"
Her manner had become quite bud-
nesslike.
Certainly. Mrs. Merriam" I said
"III take pleasure in giving you what
ever aid I can"
Then she told In calm and straight
forward way how a certain wealthy
widower had offered himself In mar
rage and how she had the matter IN
der consideration.
Mrs. Merriam" I said, 1T Is very
difficult to give advice in case IKE
this"
Here I paused. was thinking bard
and fast.
Yes, I know It IS she was peelF
ming, but ! interrupted her.
You have asked my advice, san'
my words, land shall give
you my best Judgment. The question
5 a difficult one. You say this man
/ widower of long standing. That y
If course, disadvantage But Wit
,ut going into Details" / went on, U!
getting the better OF nc
here is my advice: Do not marry VIC
vidower. Marry me instead
She stared at me in smazemen.
Then the color rushed to her cneeSA
nd her eyes fell
1 saw my opportunity. l cnanse' Is
nv role from counselor TO advocate
'Rosep' cried. !.
/ said a great deal more. but it woon
'e out of place here, because IL
ntirely unprefessionai. But when. arr
r awhile. she asked me what sne m's.
ay to the wealthy widower | aoslss'
er to tell him. as gently as poss'ps'
a 49,