The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-01-16
The Junior
Client
By WALTER JOSEPH DELANEY

Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union.)
1t was summer dullness in the law
courts and 1 was lolling in a chair at
the Office window, trying to decide
upon a brief vacation away from the
dust and din Of the city. / had been
In practice for year and had done
moderately well in a money way.
turned from my idle survey Of the
street as heard a footstep in the hall
outside. A lad Of about fourteen stood
reading the inscription on my door:
Robert Lane, Attorney at Law"
eff you please, sir" he said, advanc-
ing timorously, "are you Mr.. Lane?"
"That's my name," I replied, motto
ing that the boy was very pale and
seemed laboring under some unusual
strain Of agitation.
'Then would like to ask your adj
vice. I have just been discharged
from employment. They accuse me Of
something never did-stealing. They
paid me and I have ten dollars In my
pocket. How much of it would you
want to tell me what am to do?"
His eyes were fearless, his attire
neat, his whole presentation that Of an
intelligent and honest youth. noted
how much he tried to control the quiv-
ering lip and maintain the open mann-
ness that seemed natural to him.
eve won't talk of fee, my lad, at
this stage Of the case," said. "What
is the trouble?"
Briefly he told me. He was Hal
Barton, and had been working for two
months In the wholesale jewelry estab-
lishment of Morse & Co. For some
time past 1t was current talk that the
house was missing various articles
from their stock. They had made
search Of the desks of the various en-
ployees. In his own, they claimed,
they had found a watch and chain
done up in a handkerchief.
81 never saw it before, and the hand
kerchief was not NINE" explained the
lad. "The manager was cross and OBJ
stinate. He simply told me to draw
my pay and leave. / think it very IN
just. 1t spoils my chances Of other
! work, and if my sister Inez doubts my
innocence 1t will break my heart.
Won't you help me with your advice"
I rather greeted this sensational
break upon my loneliness as a panacea
for ennui and proceeded promptly to
interrogate my youthful client. at the
end of half an hour I was fully con-
vinced that Hal Barton was just what
he purported to be and a victim of IN
toward circumstances. He was averse
| to going home with his doleful story.
He and his sister, Inez, were orphans,
both working for a living, ard 1 dis
cerned that the lad had been brought
up In the right way. determined on
| immediate action. went promptly to
the store of Morse & Co. and was soon
closeted with the manager.
The latter admitted that he had
acted rather harshly with Hal, but put
| up the plant that their mysterious
losses were becoming an item that was
| serious. He showed me Halls desk
and the watch and chain and the hand.
| kerchief. He stared at me strangely
! as asked permission to retain the lat
ter article.
"Going to do some detective work."
| he insinuated.
| 81 am, If 1T will prove the innocence
| Of a lad you have wronged," an
swered gravely. 81 ask a week to act
In that capacity, but at no charge to
you"
| Then I went back to the Office and
| offered to go home with Hal. He was
overjoyed at the proffer. We found
his sister working on q dress. The
first glimpse had of that lovely, In
genuous face a new interest came into
| the case for me. told my story and
that Of Hal. Not for an instant did
Inez Barton doubt the innocence of
her brother, and both seemed relieved
and glad that extended my friendly
aid. I asked Hal to call at my Office
the next morning.
| do you recall anyone with Morse
& Co. who is given to the use OF per
fumery?" asked Hal, "a man, foI
this Is q mans handkerchief. And his
name, according TO the initial, begins
with c."
&c? Ca-r-r-Carrl Oh, Mr.. Lane"
instantly cried Hal, che is our inven.
tory clerk. He wouldn't stealp
81 didn't say that he would, Hail."
replied. 'SThe handkerchief suggests
him, though, IL seems. Never mind
forget that. Tell your sister viii re-
/ port progress in a day or two" and
my mind as full Of Inez as Of my self
imposed mission, took up the trail Of
Walter Carr forthwith, learning from
Hal sufficient Of his routine to map
out my plan Of action.
1 brought Joy and relief to the
humble Barton home the last day Of
that week. With eyes believed with
grateful tears Inez Barton listened to
my story. 1t was a simple one. Every
day Walter Carr went for his lunch to
the same restaurant. Every day he
was met by a young man. Every day
they hung their hats on the same
hooks, and one day noticed that