otherhood was
vindicated.

And now that Juddson and Tarbell were moving to their new offices, who
should also at the very same time become a tenant of the Land and Water
Insurance Company but the Honorable Franklin Blood Pope? The Land and
Water Company's new building was in a very desirable locality, and
several lawyers deserted their old nooks and corners to occupy its
spacious and well-calcimined apartments. Juddson and Tarbell took the
rooms on the back of the third floor, Mr. Pope those on the front ditto:
they were very near neighbors. In former days Mrs. Tarbell had often
complained to her husband of Mr. Pope's success. It was an argument that
men had not as much common sense as they pretended to have, she said, or
else they would see through Franklin B----'s absurd pretensions. "Even I
can perceive that the man is a humbug," she continued. "In fact, any
woman could. Why is he successful, then? Why has he an enormous
practice? Why has he been sent to Congress? If it is because he has a
majestic appearance and can talk a great deal, women certainly can
fulfill these conditions, and that by your own account of them."

To which Mr. Tarbell would answer, "Exactly, my love, by all means; and
so is your friend Mrs. Pegley a great talker, and a fine-looking woman."

"Then give her all the rights you give to Mr. Pope," cried Mrs. Tarbell.

"She shall have 'em, and welcome," said Tarbell; but he did not tell his
wife that he had voted for Mr. Pope on the opposition ticket, and had
even consulted him on matters of business,--once going so far as to
suggest to him that a certain proposed alteration in the tariff would
seriously affect the mourning-goods industry,--from which it may be
gathered that it was not from any lack of prudence that Mr. Tarbell died
a bankrupt and left his widow to become a lady-lawyer.

Mr. Pope himself it was who betrayed Mr. Tarbell's confidence and opened
Mrs. Tarbell's eyes. "Your husband was my very good friend, my dear
madam," said the Honorable Franklin, "and I was proud to call him my
client. Yes, I had the honor of advising him in several matters and of
carrying through some rather delicate negotiations for him. A man of the
strictest integrity, ever genial and urbane, of sound judgment and
independent views, endowed with strong common sense and quick
perceptions. You see, I had the highest opinion of Mr. Tarbell, and have
often wished to tell his widow--alas that I should have to call