Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-05-07
ADVICE, TO TIE
LOVELCRN
By r. RAY BAKER
BY r. RAY BAKER

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1t Is unlikely that ever another man
heid the unique position in Il com.
inunity that Richard Jerome occunicd
in Walk tield.
'ocalonally Richard was lawyer.
ana good one. 4 generous practice
had given him financial status that
might be termed comfortable, and cf
late years he had placed certain re-
strictions on his legal business which
permitted many spare moments for
his avocation. which was the mcndipc
OF broken hearts.
The avocation paid Richard not n
penny. but he performed the work with
n CLEAN in his eye and joy in his
heart; for he loved humanity and
could not bear to see his fellows suffer
when way to alleviate their troubles
was ready to his hand.
Never had a lovelorn young man an
pealed to Richard in vain; never had
he failed, in his assumed role Of Gu
pid, TO "get the verdict" His almost
uncanny Insight into the ways of wom-
en- gave him something akin to fame
in Wakefield. although it was a fame
that was spread by word Of mouth and
not by newspaper headlines and half
tones.
1t began when Richards chum, An
thony BrextOn, came 10 him with tears
in his eyes and walled:
ITS all over. Dick. Will you please
get me, Il bottle Of carbolic acid or an
equally deadly poison? Isabelle has
fnrnn6 q
for me now"
Richard had calmly lighted n corn
cob pipe which was SO old 1t looked as
II IT might have been the pattern after
which all the others were copied, had
settled himself comfortably, and said:
"First-before we get this carbolic
acid-lets hear your story. Not that !
ain curious. but ! object to spending
good money for poison unless it's nee
essary. Remember. l am a lawyer
Why not let me advise you? My fee
will not be heavy"
Anthony had laughed miserably.
You advise in love affair? That's
funny, Dick. Why, you're confirmed
bachelor. You've never been engaged.
never had girl in your life"
Maybe that will give me a better
perspective in the NATTER" said Rich
ard. "lr wont 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 choking back
sobs and looking like child that had
crcpt out of bed early Christmas morn
ing and found his stocking empty,
Richard had taken the case UP COM
placcntly with:
Your problem is easily solved.
Isabelle thinks you have proved
yourself faithlcss. She won't listen
to your explanations. She's fort
and you're trying to storm her with
shells that won't penetrate the walls.
The thing to do is to find new
method of attack. Put yourself on
the defensive and wait for the gar
rison to make sortie. Then cap
turc the garrison. Now, this is my
plan in detail
A week later Anthony appeared
again. radiant, jubilant. The scheme
had worked.
Now, Anthony had n friend who de-
veloped heart trouble, and the friend
went 10 Anthony for advice. "Take 1t
to Jerome he'll fix it," was the advice
he got, and Richard proffercd q pre-
scription that healed the wounds. And
so on, and SO on, till Richards reputa-
ton was firmly established.
Richard was not q 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
forehead. He was not handsome, but
strength of character was stamped on
his face, and this attracted most peo-
pie he met.
One day q young man came into
his Office with listless manner and
heart that was not working right
my names Fred Mania" he snid
by way Of introduction, and cast a
sour look out Of the window at a
painter on a scaffold across the
street. 1--WE been living in Wakefield
only month, but during that time
I've fallen in love with the most won
derful girl in the world. I've taken
her about considerably, and I've tried
desperately hard to win her, but she
, has not responded. I've not yet really
proposed because j could tell the time
was not ripe. hut she knew what was
driving ut ana last night she told me
! could not sec her again. ] knew FL
mer johnson at college, and when
told him my troubles this morning he