The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-12-31
"a Friend
Indeed
gA<D
BY RHoDA WORTHINGTON
Copyright, 1913. by the Western News
paper Union.)

Wilton Brice was definite in tone
and face as he spoke, but there was q
tremor TO his frame. He was by no
means friendly with his caller, Pcrci-
val Boyd, but that was not the reason
that he had refused to act as his at
torney, He asked client with whom
he was conyersing TO step into the
anteroom while he consulted with the
newcomer. X. N@
The latter was the prosperous man
ufacturer of patent scale which was
making him fortune. It's 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 Mayhem
had devised a new scale, which was
so superior TO the Boyd possession
that there could be little doubt as to
its eventually understanding its COM
petitor:
Only q month previous Brce had
met Mr.. Mayhem, and the old inventor
had asked him 10 come TO his home
in professional capacity. There Mr..
Mayhem had gone over the details of
his experience with the Boyd people,
had asked Bricc to look over his new
patent papers and advise him as to
the best course TO pursue.
II 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 if l ever
did, or made any new inventions in
the line, | was TO agree to turn the
same over to him on ii ten per cent
royalty. This is not true, Mr.. Brlce,"
declared The old inventor with unmis-
taxable sincerity. II never signed
such 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 Il girl likely to at
tract any man admiring modeSty, in
nocence and intelligence, and Bricc
fell strongly in love with her. Now,
when the menace Mayhem feared APP
peared, BriCe was naturally disturbed
at the charge made against the father
of the girl, whose fondest ambitions
We're involved in getting Il new start
In the world.
"Fell you, Brice," spoke Boyd
smartly, II think You are making a
mistake. | do not wish to Cypress
Mayhem. but don't intend to lose my
rights. ! had rather employ n local
lawyer like yourself, who might influ-
ence a fellow townSman, than our
regular firm in the city. | have de-
cided that if you will not handle the
case l shall give it into their hands"
and Boyd took an addressed, stamped
envelope from his pocket and with
drew its incloscd sheet. There is
the contract" he continued; read it
for Yourself"
AS have said, I 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 flllng in of
q blank space" retorted Brice quickly.
Il believe in Mr.. Mayhcws statement
and will not take case where I am
convinced the prospective client is in
the wrong"
indeed" snapped Boyd resentfully.
you weren't so careful in defending
the man who just left the ROOM Jerry
Plympton, who is professional Grim
inal."
But who was innocent of the spe-
cial charge l defended, and that is
why. | won the case
My retainer fee would be a thou
sand dollars insinuated Boyd spe-
ciously. 'Think a moment. will
not hesitate to spend money in win
ming this case" He lifted the flap of
the envelope toward his III s. "Once
[ seal this letter and post it your
chance is gone"
, Brice cooly 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 |
1ing rather gloomily started on the |
way to visit Mr., Mayhem and report |
what threatened, jerry almost ran |
nto him coming around the corner.
"Hello!" hailed Brice. "Where
lway?"
"New fields, where I can keep hon
st, Mr.. Brice" reported Jerry spicily.
! think ] had better for I was tempt
I'd into our last dangerous act here
overheard that Boyd cad threaten
,ou and l followed him. He mailed
hat letter. Wen, took my cue. /
waited till he was out of sight, poked
few lighted matches into the mail
'oX. waited till things smoked-and
hat fake contract will never trouble
our good old client again"
1t never did. Jerry had fitted for
he railroad depot before Brice could
IMPRESS him with the enorinity Of his
ftense.
Andrew Mayhem went on with his