The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-02
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Advice To The Lovelorn.
BY r. RAY BAKER.

L Is unlikely that ever another man
held the unique position in COM
nunity that Richard Jerome occu.
pied In Wakefield.
" Vocatfonally Richard was lawyer,
and good one. A generous practice
had given him financial status that
might be termed comfortable, and OF
late years he had placed certain re.
strictions on his legal business which
permitted many spare moments for
his avocation, which was the mending
of broken hearts.
The ayocation paid Richard not a
penny, but he performed the work
with. CLEAN in his eye and Joy In
his heart; for he loved humanity and
could not bear to see his fellows suf-
fer when way to alleviate their
troubles was ready to his hand.
Never had lovelorn young man
appealed to Richard in vain, never had
he failed in his assumed role OF
Cupid to "get the verdict" His al
most uncanny insight Into the ways
of women gave him something akin
to fame in Wakefield, although 1t was
a fame that was spread by word or
mouth and not by newspaper head
lines and half-tones.
It began when Richards chum,
Anthony Brexton, came to him with
tears in his eyes and walled:
hts all over, Dick. Will you please
get me bottle Of carbolic aid or an
equally deadly poison? Isabelle has
turned me down and life holds nothing
for me now"
Richard had calmly lighted corn
cob pipe, which was so old 1t looked
as II II might have been the pattern
a 4r-1,ta -, oil ~ 1Eh
ed, had settled himself comfortably,
and. said:
sFirst-before we get this carbolic
acid-let's hear your story. Not that
am curious, but object to spending
good money for poison unless it's nec-
Il essary. Remember, l am a lawyer.
Why not let nJe advise you. My fee
will not be heavy"
Anthony had laughed miserably.
You advise in love affair; That's
funny. DICE. Why. you're a confirm
ed bachelor. You've never been en-
gagged, never bad girl in your
Maybe that will give ne better
perspective in the matter" said
Richard. at won't hurt to try"
Then he had listened while Anthony
unfolded his tale OF woe, and when it
was finished and the latter was hud-
died back in his chair checking back
BobH md looking like child that had
crept out OF bed early Christmas
morning and found his stocking
empty, Richard had taken the case
up Seomplacontly with:
Your problem Is easily solved.
Isabelle thinks you have proved your
self faithless. She won't listen to your
explanation. She's fort and you're
trying TO storm her with shells that
won't penetrate the walls. The thing
to dg'ts find a new method OF attack.
Put Yourself on the defensive and
and walt for the garrison to make a
sortie. Thcn capture the garrison.
Now this Is my plan in detail"
A week later Anthony appeared
again, radiant, jubilant The scheme
had worked.
Now, Anthony had friend who
developed heart trouble, and the
friend went to Anthony for advice.
.Take Il TO Jerome; he'll fix it." was
tho advice he got, and Richard prof.
feTed q prescription that healed the
wounds. And SO on, and SO on, till
Richards reputation was firmly cs-
tablished.
Richard was not youth in years,
although he seemed one at heart, and
most OF his friends were at least ten
years younger. Richard was nearly
forty, and there were tinges of gray
In his hair and some wrinkles on his
p forehead. He was not handsome, but
strength OF character was stamped
on his face, and this attracted most
people he met.
One day a young man came into
HIS office with listless manner and
q heart that was not working right.
my names Fred Mania" he said
by way OF introduction, and cast a
sour. look out the window at painter
on a scaffold across the street. rye
been living in Wakefield only 6
month, but during that time I've fallen
In love with the most wonderful girl
in the world. I've taken her about
considerably and I've tried desperate
ly hard to- win her, but she has not
responded. I've not yet really propos-
ed because could tell the time was
not ripe, but she knew what I was
driving at and last night she told me
could not see her again. knew
Elmer Johnson at college, and when
told him my troubles this morning
he referred me to you. 1t seems you
patched up fittle love affair for him
about year ago."
Mr.. Mania did not offer to reveal
the. name Of his ideal, and Richard
did not press him for it. This mid
sdlo-aged cupid was not curious or
.meddlesome. He simply advised
where advice was sought.
mo doubt she's trying you out"
he said. Remain away from her:
don't try to see her. That will keep
her guessing, and before long she'll
probably make it point to meet you
somewhere and find out II you really
care. II she does It indicates one Of
two things-either she loves you or
she's a flirt. II she's flirt, you don't
want her."
A few days later Mr.. Mania was
back, looking more woebegone than
1T doesn't work." he announced,
dolefully. I've done as you advised,
but she might as well be dead as far
as any effort she's made to Sc me"
It began to look like failure for Rich
ard Jerome, love mediator.