he stated that she was a
widow with a large family--that her husband had been dead about a year,
and that the executor of her husband's estate, formerly his partner in
business, was about to deprive her of all the property that had been
left to her for the maintenance of her family and the education of her
children, under the plea that there were, in reality, no assets, after
the settlement of the estate.

"Well, madam, what do you wish done?" asked Mr. Harvey, a good deal
interested in the woman's case.

"I want justice, sir, and no more. If there are really no assets, then
I want nothing. But if there is, as I am confident that there must be a
handsome property really due me, then I wish my rights maintained. Will
you undertake my case?"

"Certainly I will, madam; and if there is justice on your side, I will
see that justice is done."

Accordingly, suit was brought against the executor, who at once
employed Abercrombie, with the promise of a large fee, if he gained the
cause for him.

By some means, the facts of the case, or at least that such a case was
to come up, became known through the medium of the newspapers, and also
that the two rival candidates were to be opposed to each other. Much
interest was excited, and when the trial came on, the court-room was
crowded. The case occupied the attention of the court for three days,
during which time Abercrombie made some of the most brilliant speeches
that had ever fallen from his lips. He managed his case, too, with a
tact, spirit, and sagacity, unusual even for him, as keen a lawyer as
he was. To all this, Harvey opposed a steady, clear, and rational mode
of presenting the claims of the individual he represented, so that
conviction attended him at every step. It was in vain that Abercrombie
would tear into tatters the lucid arguments, full of calm and truthful
positions, that he presented--he would gather them all up again, and
present them in new and still more convincing forms. At every step of
the trial, it was plainly evident to all, opponents and friends, that
Abercrombie cared solely for success in his cause, and nothing for
justice; and as the sympathies of nearly all were in favour of the
widow, his manner of conducting the case was exceedingly offensive to
nearly every one. On the contrary, in Harvey, all could see a deep and
conscientious regard for justice. He never took any undue advantage of
his opponent, and resorted to no tricks and feints to blind