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now unwelcome clients, and, if he could | No body probably ever called Emma

effect it honorably, to release himself from his engagement to them.

The house first reached was that of Caleb Schrowder.

"Why did not you tell me, sir," said the lawyer to him, "that Mr. Everlyn would be one of the parties to your expected suit?"

"I really wasn't be-knowing of it," answered the farmer, "till the day after I see you last at Anderport. Then I found out that the old John Astiville had been cute enough to sell three thousand acres that didn't belong to him. You have come from Mr. Everlyn's just now, havn't you?"

"Yes, I staid there last evening."

"That's right," said Schrowder approvingly, "I thought you'd be one to understand how to manage business. It's doing like we read of in the Good Book, where it says two of the children of Israel went to spy out the nakedness of the land, so that afterwards they might come with the blowing of the trumpets to take the strong cities. I suppose you drew out of Everlyn what particular rudiments he's going to rest on. Perhaps you got sight of some papers, or the like?"

No," said Somers, not a little disgusted, "I went there for no such purpose, so far from it, I came this morning to request you if possible to secure another advocate in my place."

"You are in a big hurry to give up," said Schrowder, with an expression of some alarm, "do you think our chance so very bad?"

"Not at all," answered the lawyer. "My wish to withdraw arises from other considerations altogether."

"Well, then," said Schrowder, "I don't see as I had ought to take your leaving on us very much to heart-lawyers don't seem no ways scarce in this country. I rather guess there's plenty would jump to get such good customers as us. But you'll have to see Mr. Newlove about this, he ought to be chief cook, or at least his gal ought."

So, to Mr. Sylvester Newlove, Somers next proceeded. He found him comfortably lodged in a neat and well-furnished frame building. It was then that he first saw the retired merchant's only daughter.

Newlove beautiful. Yet her features were not irregular, and her whole countenance as she looked at you wore such a glow of earnest, sympathizing interest, that it was impossible not to feel flattered and attracted. She charmed differently from most of her sex. She was one of the few who are first loved and afterwards admired.

Somers in brief terms informed Mr. Newlove that he had just discovered very unexpectedly that the suit which was about to be prosecuted would require him to appear in opposition to a friend whose cause he could not with any gratification see defeated. "I became acquainted with Mr. Everlyn," he added, "a number of years ago, and I have since partaken of the hospitalities of his household; consider, then, how I must now feel. Whatever cause I engage upon, I would not desire to be a lukewarm advocate; yet, under these circumstances, you must perceive that it is scarcely possible that I could be as zealous in your defence as I ought."

I am sure," said Mr. Newlove, "I do not know what to say. Emma, speak for

me.

His daughter, thus called upon, said in her soft, kindly tone :-"If I understand you, Mr. Somers, you see no reason to doubt the rightfulness of our cause.

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"None," he answered. "There never was a suit which I could support with a clearer conscience. Were it to be urged against John Astiville only, I should not feel the slightest reluctance, but Mr. Everlyn, as well as yourselves, purchased his lands in good faith, and did not dream that he was infringing upon the rights of others. Thus, in an equitable sense, his cause is just, and yours is just."

Yet," ," said Emma, "I am sure you will admit that one must be better than the other, and that there is a rule which ought to decide between them-which of the two stands on the most firm legal foundation?"

"Most candidly and frankly, then," replied Somers, "I assure you that, in my opinion, your title is the best."

Emma, after an instant spent in meditation, raised her eyes and said: "We are strangers, here, Mr. Somers, totally unacquainted with any whom we can look to for advice; we would not have our rights

trampled upon; in you, sir, we see a person capable of having justice done towards us, and a person, too, who, I can not doubt, possesses all that unswerving integrity which is so much needed in an advocate, and--it is said-so seldom found in any. Think us not unreasonable in desiring to retain your assistance-blame Nature, sir, who has given you the appearance of one worthy to be confided in. Thus much of character we are able to distinguish in the voice, to read on the countenance, and knowing this, we may believe on the world's assurance, that Mr. Somers is also gifted with every other quality which his clients can ask for. Judge you, then, sir, whether we ought to be willing to lose the benefit of this legal ability, and perhaps to see it arrayed against us?"

"Do not suppose for a moment," answered Somers, "that if I should not be your lawyer, I could act against you. Every sentiment of honor must forbid such a course. Understand me, I pray you, I do not hope for Mr. Everlyn's success at your expense. Whatever be the result, it must give me pain. Yet, I am disposed, without murmuring, to let the law decide. All that I ask for, is to be relieved from the necessity of being myself an agent in my friend's injury."

I

"I am sure, Mr. Somers," said Emma mildly, "that I speak for my father, when say he has no disposition to insist upon your incurring the slightest embarrassment or pain. Procure us, then, sir, another person to act in your stead, to whose hands our rights may be as securely committed as to your own-do this, and we relinquish all claim to further counsel. Upon you, is now our reliance; do we ask too much, when we ask that you may not leave us to be wronged and betrayed?"

"I thank you," said the lawyer, "I thank you for the release from my engagement and I thank you most of all for the confidence you repose on me. Be assured it is not misplaced."

Somers went to Daylsborough, the county seat, with a heart much lightened. On the way he thought over those whom he might select as counsellor for the New Yorker. As Caleb Schrowder had remarked, there was an abundance of lawyer's signs on the doors, around the Court

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House, but of the whole number of practitioners at the Redland bar, there were not many honest, not many capable, and very few indeed both capable and honest. He visited several whom he thought most reliable. able. To his surprise he found them all retained by the parties on the other side. He was not prepared to see such extensive precautions taken in a case which, however protracted it might be, involved merely a question of fact, not of law.

In Daylsborough, there was an attorney named Mallefax, one of the sharpest of a class whose acuteness is not of a kind to do them any credit. Such was his capacity for mischief that the only wonder was that he did not effect more. Fortunately for the peace of the community, however, almost every individual in the county was acquainted with him, and he must have been a fool indeed, who, knowing Mallefax, would trust him.

This individual met our friend in the street, "Oh Somers," he said, "how do you do?-in a hurry eh? I wish you would drop into my office in the course of half an hour; I want to have five minutes talk with you about that matter of Johnson's."

"Very well, I will," said Somers; and not long afterwards, he proceeded to fulfil his promise. When he entered the office, Mallefax had his hat on, and exclaimed, with a sudden glance through the window, "There goes Higgs now!--I have a judgment against the fellow, and those sweet sheriffs always take pains to keep their eyes shut when they ought to be open. Take a seat Somers, take a seat-I'll be back in one instant "

Thus saying, the attorney brushed by, but did not leave his visitor alone. In the arm-chair, beyond the table, sat a personage of more importance than might have been inferred from his shabby blue coat, and mean, pock-marked features. It was John Astiville, the wealthiest man of three counties. He treated the meeting as if accidental, but addressed the lawyer of his opponents as graciously as his habitually consequential tone allowed. They talked for some time upon various indifferent topics. Somers, however, had no inclination to court his intimacy, and the conversation began to flag. It was then that Mr. Astiville, by the sonorous clearing of his

throat, seemed to be preparing to utter something of more moment.

"I have been thinking, Mr. Somers, of buying another block of houses in St. John's-that place, by the way, is improving greatly-now, I wonder if I couldn't get you to examine into the title for me. It is not every one that I would trust. Crawford, you know, has been doing most of my business, but he has become quite advanced in years, and is failing fast.' Somers merely inclined his head, and remained silent.

Astiville continued, "The old man is careful, very, but too slow. I want some one who is not only prudent, but prompt and enterprising. To a person that suited me I could, myself, insure a very pretty practice."

Somers had the reputation of being a keen, energetic man of business. All who had dealings with him declared that they had never seen any one more cool, sagacious, and long-sighted. Astiville, who was not accustomed to associate shrewdness with a very scrupulous morality, thought the thrifty, self-made lawyer would be the last man to reject the side where the greatest pecuniary advantage lay. So, he went on confidently to ply him with per

suasions.

Newlove, and the rest, you will find the whole voice of the county against you. Mark my words, for as certainly as clouds bring rain, they will be verified."

"Whether I become advocate for these

Northerners," said Somers, "is as yet uncertain, but though I should refuse to be, I could not engage against them."

"In this suit you mean," said Astiville. "That's all very proper and correct. Of course, you couldn't think of going straight over from one side to the other. Just let me show you how it can be managed. One of the New Yorker's-that conceited, nasal-toned, prating fool, called Schrowderhas got into a war with the squatters-not by your advice, I suppose."

Certainly not," said Somers; "this is the first I have heard of it."

"I thought as much," continued Astiville "you see what a fine thing it is to have a client who possesses a judgment of his own. Suppose now I give the squatter, Foley, a hint to hand you a retaining fee-this is a private matter between him and Schrowder, so there can be no harm in it."

"No, sir," answered the lawyer, decidedly; "I prefer to have nothing to do with the affair."

"Well, act as you please," said Mr. Astiville, "but think of what I have been telling you."

"I hear these New Yorkers want to get you to plead for them; but I presume you are too wise to be so taken in. Their At this he favored Somers with an cause is sure to be very unpopular; depend equivocal sort of nod, and left the office. upon it, no jury that can be got in Dayls- It was a surprising coincidence that the borough will ever decide for the Yankees, rich man was no sooner through with his against two of the oldest families in the business than Mallefox was able to disencounty-I mean the Astivilles and the Ev-gage himself from his avocation in the erlyns. Indeed, it would be a plaguy shame if they did. There's Everlyn, now, who would lose I suppose nearly all he has in the world; for, of course, I gave no warranty when I sold the land, and he'll have to depend upon the law without looking to me.

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"Yet it seems," said Somers, "that the New Yorkers bought of Compton's executors previous to Mr. Everlyn's purchase from you-whether he knew of the fact I cannot tell."

Astiville answered quickly, "Whether he knew it or not is nothing to the purpose. What concerns you most, I suppose, is not to be on the losing side; and I tell you, Mr. Somers, that if you undertake for

street. He re-entered with a great bustle; but the communication he had to make was so unimportant that Somers could easily conjecture that in this matter, as in some others, the ostensible object was not the real one.

The following Monday was court day. Among the crowd, whom the occasion drew to Daylsborough, Somers observed the solemn physiognomy of Caleb Schrowder. The New Yorker came up, caught him by the arm, and drew him aside-" Look here, Mr. Somers, I've been planning a mess of work for you."

"Well, out with it, then," said the lawyer, not over-courteously.

"Why, you must understand," said

Schrowder, "that this chap, Foley's got a cabin on the lot of land I bought. You may depend I wasn't slow to give him notice to cut dirt. What do you think, though? He sticks up his nose and grins in my face, and tells me he wouldn't quit the land nohow. But I was determined to show him I came from a place where folks knew something about law. That corn and cabbage patch of his is a nuisance, right in the midst of my ground-yes mine, bought and paid for-wasn't it a nuisance, now?" He looked up with inquisitiveness; but Somers only said "Go on."

So he continued-"Sure as preachin' it is a nuisance and I went to stressing of

it."

6.

You mean abating, I suppose," remarked Somers, with a smile.

"I don't know what you call it down South, but in York state it's stress. At any rate I sot to work tearing down his fence; and then, since the hogs would have got at the cabbage, I thought I might as well pull up some, being as folks are in want to home, and what I took could go for part rent. This Foley, though like a wild Injin, stove right at me.' “Did he make that blue spot under your

eye?"

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"Is there a spot sure enough!" said Schrowder. "Well, I thought I felt a light tech, but of course I weren't a going to have a scrimmage with a low-lived beggar like him, so I walks off. Now, I want the law to talk up for me.'

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"The best advice," said Somers, "that I can give you is to settle this affair in the most quiet way possible."

"But shall I leave that blackguard on my lot?"

"No; pay any moderate sum he may ask, and get him off in that way."

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Pay him!" exclaimed Schrowder in a tone of amazement. "Has he any right to the land?"

(6 None," answered Somers.

"What has he got to sell me then?" "Possession; and that is a thing which you will find it very difficult and very expensive to get in any other mode.”

"Chop me up into mince-meat if I pay him one cent," said the New Yorker indignantly; "you'll fix it up for me in court, wont you

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"I'll manage it without going into court;

give me leave to offer him fifty or a hundred dollars."

"I wont-I wont-I wont," "-said Schrowder, shaking his head with marvellous rapidity.

"Look here," said Somers, seriously, "You know what hornets are I presume? Well, you would do better to make a football of a hornet's nest than to enter into a a contest with Foley, or any other squatter. In the one case, you might be very uncomfortably stung, yet you could, perhaps, get somebody to fetch you hartshorn or onions; stir up the squatters, however, and you will draw the whole neighborhood upon you. Your land itself may be lost in the squabble."

"That's my look-out," answered the New Yorker; "so just say the word, will you do this job for me, or must I hire somebody else?"

"You may ruin yourself if you choose," said Somers, "but I will not help you do it."

Schrowder turned away with dogged composure. Seeing Tom Foley in earnest conversation in front of a tavern, curiosity to learn what was the subject of his discourse, prompted him to direct his steps thither; and though he had good reason to doubt the propriety of intruding upon the squatter at his lonesome dwelling in the woods, he felt no apprehensions under the shadow of the Temple of Justice. The crowd certainly looked rather shyly at the Northerner as he approached, yet, saving bodily peril, it would be difficult to imagine anything that could daunt or disconcert his father's son. Foley, altogether engrossed with his harangue, was perhaps the only person who did not notice the new-comer. "Hang the Yankees!" he said, "what good do they do here any way?"

"I'll just inform you, my friend," said Schrowder, and then, as Foley jumped around very suddenly, and faced him, added, "that is if you will keep down the unruly passions, and listen to me, and open the doors and windows of your heart to instruction. Do you ask what we Yorkers come for? Why, it is to civilize you all, and show you the things that are right. All around here, what can you behold that's in sorts? Where's your ploughs, your rollers, your cultivators, your churns, your sassage-choppers, your hoes even? I

haven't seen one decent thing since I have | fix." The New Yorker, heartily despising been here. Stir yourselves up folks, and the well-intended suggestion, opened his learn, if you can, from them that know mouth, and was about to resume the dishow." course, when Tom Foley got the start of him.

"Where were your gloves made, Parson?" and the inquiry came from a bystander.

"My gloves?-where's my gloves?" said Caleb Schrowder, anxiously feeling his pockets; "P'shaw, I left 'em to home. Yes, I know I did; I told wife to darn a hole in the right thumb."

"You are mistaken, they're on your hands now!" replied the man, with a laugh; "and see, there's the hole, too," he added, pointing to a wide-gaping seam in the horny skin of the Yorker's palm.

"Yes," cried Schrowder, no ways abashed, "them's hands that a body needn't be ashamed to own. They are paws to work with, not to pick shumake and handle cards. If your hands were as hard as they'd ought to be, this country would have fewer gullies, and pines, and bull-briers. That's the first pint: you ought to be less lazy. You see, I'm not a false prophet, that comes to flatter and delude you; but I speak the truth in all plainness-fearing nothing. In the second place, all you people wants edicating. You don't know how to do right, and therefore you couldn't do it, though you were to try ever so hard. Your rules of farming are bad-that is if you've got any rules, which I much misdoubt; your laws, may-be, were once worth some little, but they are now like a nest of eggs that a settin' hen has quit-neither good sass for puddin' nor live hopping chickens. The big-bug 'stocracy has turned you loose, yet you aint got into free suffrage--you stand betwixt and and between, to let the good-for-nothing constables pull your noses and card your backs. The only thing you are smart at is in making the darkies mind you, and I can prove to anybody's satisfaction very quick that you might have a much better busi

ness."

As Schrowder paused one second, to brush his sleeve across his mouth, and to take in a fresh stock of breath, a huge, good-natured-looking man, whose voice was marked with the peculiar and drawling softness of the " up-country," gave him a nudge with the elbow, and said, "Shut up, neighbor, or you may find yourself in a

"Hear me, gentlemen; I reckon I'm worth as much attention as that bag of wind. Do you want to understand what the Yankees have come for? It's to get our land and drive us from the country. What business have they with our laws, or farming either? Can't we lay off our own corn-rows, without having them to set the stakes for us? A few rich people may be willing enough to have new settlers come and buy from them, but I wonder if we are helped ?"

"Get more honesty, then," interposed Schrowder, mounting a horse-block and gesticulating with less grace than energy; "Be more honest, I say, and you won't be so discontented; give up what don't belong to you, and buy land of your own if you've got the chink to do it with; if you aint, pull up sticks and and sneak off to Massissippi, or Texas, or some place else."

"Who are you calling sneak ?" exclaimed Foley, grasping the lappet of his adversary's coat.

"Stop, stop!" said Schrowder, "let's argyfy the matter."

"Yes! you copper-faced Yankee, I will argue it sure enough. What do you think, neighbors, this chap's no sooner got a deed from Compton's heirs than he must take to smashing my fence, and stealing my cabbages, though I've been on the place before ever he knew, I reckon, that the world had any better country than his cold, rocky, diggins. I have a plagey sight firmer title to the land this minute than he has, for old John Astiville says I shall have a hundred acres, without a cent to pay. See what a difference there is between a true gentleman-for old John, if he is close, is a gentleman-and these mean pork and molasses trash!"

"Your brag, gentleman," said the other boldly, "is mighty generous with what is not his, but you may just calculate on this

there are more on us Yorkers than you think of, and there's plenty to come-we'll soon be able to brush you all away like fleas. Then, when we get the lines in our grip, if you don't act conformable, and raise your bread on your own lot, we'll

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