Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-02-23
Darkness
and Dawn
BY HAZEL SMITH
"a. 1874. western Newspaper Union.)

A. WuS AACICly u UuSluCSS CVlASf
dence that James A. Holton, lawyer,
had offices In the same skyscraper
where James B. Holton, also lawyer,
had an Office. The comparison, how
ever, was grOtesQue. Judge" HOlton
occupied suite on the second floor,
about as elaborate as the upholsterer's
art could make 1t. Jim" Holton, as
his friends Familiarity called him, had
little ten-bytwelve room at the top
story. 1t contained a worn rug, a
small desk, two chairs and book
case holding only the most necessary
law books required in the profession.
At these his sole possessions, Jim
was staring gloomily. 1t was the
darkest hour in his life, and the late
afternoon shadows formed a fitting
frame for his environment. The agent
for the building surveyed Jim rather
pityingly.
"Sorry, Mr.. Holton,' he said, "but
it's the rule. There's two months
rent overdue. I'll just have the stuff
here stored with good care. Soon as
you get on your feet again you can
pay up and get it back"
mo" said Jim detiantly; "sell it.
I'm through"
Don't say that" spoke the agent.
Don't give up the ship-always dark
est before the dawn, you know
"Tll be on hand when you call on
me-" he added as he left.
ke
devil had stung him, his hand shot
out eagerly at the little silvermount-
ed weapon it contained.
"The quick way" he said hoarsely.
There was a click. Then with a shud-
der he flung the weapon back into the
drawer, crashed it shut, and his face
fell across his arms. Some power
drove his lips to the low sobbing ut
terance of a prayer, learned at his
mothers knee.
"Is this Mr.. Holton?" asked timid,
almost frightened voice.
"I-that is" the girl was pale and
her hand was trembling as she ten
dered large envelope. There was
no doubt that she had seen the
weapon and heard the prayer. She
was confused in delivering a mes
sage. "My aunt, Mrs. Helen Hurley,
asked me to give you this. 1t is
something about-about another law
yer, and-you are to write aunt or
see her"
Then she was gone. Jim sank to
ohn ,,t 1nnnnI
at such loveliness. But-not for him
He, penniless, failure! He opened
the envelope, supposing it to be some
papers in one of the few law cases
he had assisted in. Around a file of
documents two tifty-dollar bills We're
folded Next to them was note. 1t
read:
II am the attorney at Sackville of
Mrs Hurley She will come to you to
assist her in getting possession of
some important papers, will give you
retainer fee and if we win the
case mt this end there will be a con
tingent fee for you
"Why," exclaimed jim glancing at
the envelope, this is for the Holton
downstairs. All that money"
An hour later Jim was ushered
into Il suite of rooms in an apart
ment house three miles away. An
old lady and young one arose to
greet him.
"NIr. Holton-you are prompt" said
the elder lady, holding his card in
her hand. The younger one, his office
visitor, looked at him with interest,
but strangely
"Mr. Holton, yes said Jim with
forced smile, but not the Mr.. Holton
for whom these documents were in
tended" And then Jim told of the
other Holton, of his absence and hand
ed the lady the envelope.
"Aunty" almost whispered the
young lady, may l speak to you for
a moment?"
Jim sat fidgeting in his seat 1t
was the young lady who finally re-
turned. alone. She brought back the
packet.
you will trust me, a stranger"
began Jim, choking up.
Eyes" she replied, "because-be-
cause | know you need a client, and
because that dreadful temptation, your
mothers prayer, have told me to be
be your friend. Have 7 said too
much?"
1t was a simple ease A mserly old
fellow in the city had some papers.
Here again the star of hope and
fortune arose for Jim. The old fellow
happened to be n client of friend
of Jim. struggling young lawyer like
himself One week later, at no eX-
pense whatever, Jim brought the
coveted documents 70 Mrs. Hurley.
In the meantime. through the Hur-
leys. he was introduced to some intlu-
entail people. Two new clients came
to him. and thing9 began to look up
for loyal, patient jim.