The Mount Holly news., 1919-11-18
"a Friend
Indeed
WN
tcepyrisht, 1919. b. the Western News
paper Union.l
By yRHoDA woRrH1NGToN


paper Unionl
II cannot take your case, Mr..
Boyd"
Wilton Brice was definite in tone
and face as he spoke, but there was
tremor to his frame. BE was by no
means friendly with his caller, Perci-
val Boyd. but that was not the reason
that he had refused to act as his at
torney. He asked a client with whom
he was conversing to step into the
anteroom while he consulted with the
newcomer.
The latter was the prosperous man.
ufacturer of a patent scale which was
making him a fortune. Its inventor
was Andrew Mayhem, who had sold
or had been cozened out of an inter-
est in the same by the father of Boyd,
now deceased. More latterly Mayhew
had devised a new scale, which was
so superior to the Boyd possession
that there could be little doubt as to
its eventually outdistancing its COM
petitor.
Only a month previous Brice had
met Mr.. Mayhem, and the old inventor
had asked him to come to his home
in professional capacity. There Mr..
Mayhem had gone over the details of
his experience with the Boyd people.
had asked Brice to look over his new
patent papers and advise him as to
the best course to pursue.
Il think young Boyd is trying to
block my way" said Mr.. Mayhem.
He told me the other day that he
had document given to his father
years ago and signed by myself, in
which agreed never again to engage
In the scale business, and II 1 ever
did, or made any new inventions in
the line ! was to agree to turn the
same over to him on a ten per cent
royalty. This is not true, Mr.. Brice,"
declared the old inventor with unmis-
taxable sincerity. II never signed
such a paper.
At the Mayhem home for the first
time Brice met Anice, the old mans
daughter. 1t was not the last time,
however. She was a girl likely to at
tract any man admiring modesty, In
nocence and intelligence. and Brice
fell strongly In love with her. Now,
when the menace Mayhem feared ap-
peared, Brice was naturally disturbed
at the charge made against the father
of the girl, whose fondest ambitions
were involved In getting a new start
in the world.
Tell you, Brice," spoke Boyd
smartly, " think you are making a
mistake. do not wish to oppress
Mayhem, but don't intend to lose my
rights. had rather employ a local
lawyer like yourself, who might infiu-
ence fellow townsman, than our
regular firm in the city. / have de-
cided that If you will not handle the
case I shall give 1t into their hands,"
and Boyd took an addressed, stamped
envelope from his pocket and with
drew its inclosed sheet. There is
the contract" he continued; read it
for yourself"
"As I have said, cannot be your
attorney in the premises" he spoke.
"And why not?" demanded Boyd
sharply.
Because the copy Mr.. Mayhem
showed me does not contain the clause
in your own"
"Erasures are easy and convenient
at times" sneered Boyd.
mo more so than the filling in of
a blank space" retorted Brice quickly.
II believe In Mr.. Mayhew's statement
and will not take a case where / am
convinced the prospective client is in
the wrong"
"1ndeed" snapped Boyd resentfully.
You weren't so careful In defending
the man who just left the room, Jerry
Plympton, who Is a professional crim-
inal."
But who was innocent Of the spe-
cial charge defended, and that is
why won the case"
my retainer fee would be a thou
sand dollars" tnsinuated Boyd spe-
ciously. Think a moment i will
not hesitate to spend money in win
ming this case" He lifted the flap of
the envelope toward his lips. "Once
/ seal this letter and post 1t your
chance is gone"
Brice coolly shrugged his shoulders
and with muttered imprecation
Boyd sealed the envelope and left
the room, Brice arose and went into
the anteroom. His client, Jerry
Plympton, had strangely departed. He
did not put In any further appear
ance that day, but as Brice that eve
ming rather gloomily started on the
way to, visit Mr.. Mayhem and report
what threatened. Jerry almost ran
into him coming around the corner.
"Hellol" hailed Brice. "Where
away?"
'New fields. where can keep hon.
est Mr.. Brice," reported Jerry spicily.
II think ! had better, for was tempt
ed into our last dangerous act here.
overheard that Boyd cad threaten
you and followed him. He mailed
that letter. Well, took my cue. 1
waited till he was out Of sight, poked
few lighted matches into the mail
box, waited till things smoked-and
that fake contract will never trouble
your good old client again"
1t never did. Jerry had fitted for
the railroad depot before Brice could
impress him with the enormity of his
offense.
Andrew Mayi1ew went on with his
business arrangements undisturbed
and all Brice had hoped for his sue
cess came about in due time, as also
the precious love of the one girl in
the world he adored.