Rising in the world

by T. S. Arthur

From all that appears, this was an unwise act for Dunbar; but he had thoughts and intentions in regard to the new case expressed to none. What these were will appear in the end.

As soon as the young attorney launched from the shore in his own boat, he took up the important case that had been offered him, and made a vigorous demonstration upon the party in possession of the property to be litigated. Of course there was a defence, which was intrusted, as he had shrewdly anticipated from his knowledge of the party concerned, to an attorney of tact and shrewdness, with principles just about as pure as his own. The two legal gentlemen entered into close conference from the first, though, to all appearances, they were almost as hostile as their respective clients.

Before commencing a suit, Malcolm, who had a small business, by means of which he was barely able to support his family, had made sundry efforts to compromise his claim. He had even offered to take a sum as small as twenty-five thousand dollars, although the amount in dispute was over a hundred thousand. But all such overtures were rejected. No sooner, however, was the suit commenced, and the terms upon which Dunbar had undertaken its prosecution known, than an offer was made to Malcolm to settle the matter by paying him the sum he had previously demanded. This fact he immediately communicated to his lawyer, and asked if he had not better accept the proposition.

"Accept it?" returned Dunbar, with well-assumed surprise. "No! Nor double the amount. Your case is as clear as noon-day. I have already stated it to two of our judges, and they agree with me that you have everything on your side. The very fact that an offer to compromise has been made, shows that the defendant's counsel has been acute enough to see the weak points of his case, and to advise the course that has been taken. He's as timid as a hare, at any rate; and a mere old woman at the bar. I am astonished at his being employed in a case involving so much."

Thus assured, Malcolm declined the offer.

That evening the plaintiff's and defendant's lawyers met at the office of the former.

"Have you seen Malcolm?" was the first question asked.

"Yes," replied Dunbar. "He was here this morning."

"And wanted to settle the matter, I suppose."

"Oh, yes. He was warm for it at first, but I soon satisfied him that it would be folly to do so. I suppose you might induce your client to offer thirty or forty thousand dollars in order to get a clear title to his remaining property."