ctually offered the brief to me at first. He
has been so long away that he did not know my present position, and that
I had long since ceased to practice. So when he met me in the courtroom
to-day he greeted me as an old friend, told me his business at the
court, said that he considered the meeting providential, and offered me
his brief. I explained to him the impossibility of my taking it, and
then he begged me to recommend some lawyer. I named you to him without
hesitation, giving you what I considered only your just meed of praise.
He immediately asked me to take charge of the brief and the retaining
fee, and offer both to you in his name, and say to you that he should
call early to-morrow morning to consult with you."

"I am very grateful to you, Judge Merlin, for your kind interest in my
welfare," said Ishmael warmly.

"Not at all, my lad; for I owe you much, Ishmael. You have been an
invaluable assistant to me. Doing a great deal more for me than the
letter of your duty required."

"I do not think so, sir; but I am very glad to have your approbation."

"Thank you, boy; but now, Ishmael, to business. You cannot do better
than to take this brief. It is the very neatest little case that ever a
lawyer had; all the plain law on your side; a dash of the sentimental,
too, in the injured father's affection for the children that have been
torn from him, the injured husband for the wife that repudiates him. Now
you are good at law, but you are great at sentiment, Ishmael, and
between having law on your side and sentiment at your tongue's end, you
will be sure to succeed and come off with flying colors. And such
success in his first case is of the utmost importance to a young lawyer.
It is in fact the making of his fortune. You will have a shower of
briefs follow this success."

"I do not know that I shall take the brief, sir," said Ishmael
thoughtfully.

"Not take the brief? Are you mad? Who ever heard of a young lawyer
refusing to take such a brief as that?--accompanied by such a retaining
fee as that?--the brief the neatest and safest little case that ever
came before a court! the retaining fee a hundred dollars! and no doubt
he will hand you double that sum when you get your decision--for
whatever his fortune has been in times past, he is rich now, this
Walsh!" said the judge vehemently.

"Who is the counsel for the other side?" asked Ishmael.

"Ha, ha, ha! there's where the shoe hurts, is it? there's where the