But the lawyer had not long time to indulge in such thoughts. A
knock aroused him.
"Come-in."
A stalwart looking youth of muscular build (with suit of grey
homespun not cut exactly in the proportions of that of a dude) stood
upon the threshold with a look upon his florid face that betrayed
some embarrassment.
"You be Mr. Lawson the lawyer, sir."
"Yes, sir," said the young practitioner, a smile lighting up his
face and making him an interlocutor not to be dreaded by the most
unsophisticated client.
"'Spose I needn't ask, be you pretty well posted in law?" queried
the individual on taking his seat, at the same time pulling out an
enormous expanse of red and yellow cotton, called by way of courtesy
a handkerchief, which he vigorously switched across his face as
though a swarm of mosquitoes were on the aggressive, and kept the
field unflinchingly.
"What is the cause of complaint, sir?" ventured the interested
lawyer, scarcely able to repress a smile.
"Well, sir, to come to the pint at once, as you fellers allus happin
to say, since I was knee-hight of a grasshopper I had a hankerin'
after the law, and allus envied tother fellers when they'd to go to
the 'Squire's on trials, and I tell you they thought themselves some
punkins when they got a day's wages for goin'"--
"Of your question at issue," interrupted our legal friend, "I mean
on what point do you wish to consult me, sir?"
"Well, sir, as I told you before, I'm comin' straight to the pint,"
replied the youth, giving the aforesaid bandana a more vigorous
switch in the direction of his interrogator, then continued, "and,
firstly (as them lecturin' fellers say) I allus thought I'd like
mighty well to have a trial myself, and bring some un up to the
scratch; and I've jest got my wish, and if it costs all dad's worth
I'll make 'em sweat!
"Are you a minor, sir?" demanded the lawyer.
Pages:
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72