Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-08
A Valued
Legal Fee
By CHARLES LEWIS PHlFPs

l have theory that there is some
good in every calling. My friend
Thurston is a divorce lawyer. When
one day expressed a wish that he
should devote himself to some other
calling he told me the following story:
A couple one day came into my office
to ask me if l would not get divorce
for them. There was every reason,
judging from appearance, why they
should not be divorced. The man was
twenty-five or twenty-three years old,
the woman about twenty, and she car
ried child in her arms perhaps
year old, bright little chap who took
in everything with wondering eyes.
They We're of the poorer class, as was
indicated by their dress.
1--WE want a divorce" said the man,
because we can't live together in
peace. She's always nagging me be-
cause l don't make more money to
make us comfortable"
What is your complaint" l asked
the woman.
II have to scratch all day long to
make ends meet. can't go out to
earn anything on account of the child,
who needs so much care that I can't
even get time to do the homework. II
I..could be independent might make
plans. could put the boy in some
institution where would be relieved
Of his care and earn enough to support
myself in peace without this eternal
pickering"
boy could stand, but was not yet ,able
to walk. He stood by his mother,
steadying himself by holding on to her
dress, holding her attention every min
ute. l thought that If were subject
ed to such strain I should soon 60 to
sanitarium.
II don't see" said, that a divorce
will help you two, and do see that
you are giving up good deal of hap
piness from some cause which 1t Is
quite possible to rectify. You both
have blessing which has been denied
me. would give $4,000 for boy
like that IL he were my SON."
Would your asked the woman, a
change coming over her face and look
ing from me to her child with pleas
ure The man said nothing, but saw
that my remark had struck home
what can you do to make living?"
asked the man.
ttIty,, n no
"a gardener!' repeated "a man
whose work is in the open air, trim
ming hedges, turning up the fresh
earth in the spring to make place
for flowers. When the grass gets too
| high he runs lawn mower over it.
| Why, do you know that am joyfully
anticipating half an hours work cut
ting my grass this evening before din
ner?
| Perhaps you think l am contented
j in these well furnished Offices SO l
am, but because | force myself over
the disagreeable features of my work.
l find a drop of comfort in that work
couple that in not sweetening their dis
comforts they are going wrong"
The earnestness with which l spoke
the words attracted the boys atten-
ton. | held out my hand to him, and
leaving his mother, with three stagger-
ing steps, he came to me.
THAT'S the first walking that ever
he did," exclaimed the mother gleeful
ly. The fathers lowering brow relax
ed and he smiled / took the child IL
my arms and kissed him. Then l fin
ished my work in reuniting his par
ents with him on my knee, for the bes
work do as divorce lawyer Is wha,
am telling you.
where are you working now?"
asked the man.
'I'm not working anywhere. l an
looking for job"
l thought moment, then asked
again, "How much money have your
In a shamefaced manner he tolt
me that he had $25, which he hat
brought with him to pay-so far as i
would go-for divorce.
you won't pay me the money for {
divorce" l said, "for it would be {
sin for me to get divorce for yount
man with pretty wife, lovely DO!
and knowledge Of gardening. Be
sides, this Is the season for your worl
play, call 1.-THE month Of April
when the buds are opening In the sun
shine, the birds are building theil
nests, while you are thinking of de
stroying yours. Go home. Do tn,
best you can with the money 20,
have, and will look about for jol
for you. hope to ind one befor
your funds are all gone, though 70,
should use every effort to ind on
yourself"
saw that I had produced all tn
effect that could have expecte
and more The expression Of both hu,
band and wife had changed, bein