The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1921-05-03
BICKETT'S FIRST EFFORT
BEFORE ESQ. M'WHORIER
Finding Late Mr. Co,instm out. Jack
Williams Decided to Give the
Young Lawyer "A Trial.
CIDER PROSPECTS ARE "RuINr."

Our genial friend. Squire Henry
McWhOrter. has for a long time iol-
lowed the habit OF calling, when in
town. at the Enterprise office for a
chat with the papers managers writes
Mr.. Hal b. Adams in the last issue
of his paper. We have studiously en-
couraged this habit. for who would
fail TO derive pleasure and profit from
a talk with the Squire? When the
Squire called the day following the
cold wave of April 10th. marked
change from his usual manner was
Immediately noted. He was strug-
Cling to be cheerful. to be sure But
there was haunting sadness that
kept returning TO his face. that no
real friend OF the Squire could view
with Indifference. The writer's soul
reflected his sadness even before the
visitor had uttered word, and We
felt, even as he settled himself into
his chair. with mournful sigh. that
some deplorable event had occurred
that would hit us, as well as the
Squire. a heavy blow. He seemed
to hesitate as il about TO divulge the
sad news without any preliminaries:
then. as If afraid to risk his emo
tions. he turned the conversation to
another topic. Feeling that II was
his cue. the writer forced himself TO
appear cheerful. and launched into a
discussion of the happy times the two
had enjoyed when we rode all over
the county in political campaigns
years ago. and of the big speeches
the Squire had delivered on those
rounds through our great county. The
Squire relaxed and smiled little.
Just a little smile, and then that
mournful look returned to his eyes.
Still clinging desperately to the task
of Frightening up our highly esteemed
friend, the writer mentioned a few
OF the brilliant lawyers that had APP
peared in the 'SQuire's court. This
turn to the talk seemed to cheer him
fort. He proceeded to narrate with
considerable zest how Ex-Governor
Beckett mad made his maiden effort
before him. representing person
widely known in both the Carolinas
Jack Williams by name. now res
ident of the city of Monroe. Indeed.
when led on by few carefully Sc
iected questions. he gave an outline
of the incident. how Mr.. Beckett. then
a beginner with q brand new license.
was staying around" the office OF
his uncle. the late Mr.. Dave Cow
ington, and how Jack. who resided
then In Jackson, went to Monroe In
search of lawyer. and, finding Mr.,
Coyington out. thought he would
give that young chap in the office
a trial. and so employed Mr.. Beckett
to prosecute case for him: and how
the Squire despite an eloquent adj
dress by Jacks advocate. adjudged
the case frivolous and malicious and
sent the future governor first client
to Jail for the costs. The Squire
smiled family as he concluded the
story. Then the writer saw that.
beyond any question, all his efforts
had been in vain, as the Squire APP
peared again to lapse into deep
melancholy. gazing out the window
with settled detection that would
nave saddened an iron man to look
at. What is the trouble. Squire?
Go on and tell II all and get II over
With" suggested the writer, as gent
ly as possible. The Squire moved
his chair up closer. II have" he
whispered mournfully. 'got some
thing to tell you. When you come
to see me this summer. don't expect
no cider The cider prospects are
ruint!"