Weaker than a Woman — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. | "7 proud of them and fond of them, though he would not have missed one fair head from the circle for the whole world, yet the number told upon him—he could not save money, he could not even buy a house, his ingenuity was taxed to make both ends meet. The bills were so numerous—little feet must be shod, little fair heads must be covered, little minds trained ; and nothing could be done without money. Still Darcy Lonsdale was a very happy man; he had a charming wife, beautiful children, a good practice, and he liked work. The one pride of his life was his tall, hand- some son, Felix; in whom the honest, simple-hearted lawyer had concentrated all his hopes and ambition. The ‘small army” were all under twelve, so that he could not build any hopes on them at present. His life had on the whole been a pleasant one; but he did wish at times that he had a little more money. His prac- tice was a good one; still it could hardly be called lucra- tive in the small pleasant town of Lilford. There was not much to occupy a lawyer; the setting forth and renewal of leases, the drawing up of title deeds, the making of wills, the framing of agreements, composed the whole of his busi- ness. Among his clients was an eccentric widow lady, named Martha Hardman, and Darcy Lonsdale had for twenty years been her faithful friend, adviser, and guide. She said to him, laughingly, one day : | “You will have something to thank me for when I am dead.’’ * How can I thank you when you are dead?” he asked. - She nodded her head gravely. . : “You will see,” she replied. ‘“ You have done everything for me since you began to practice; but I shall not let you make my will. Tellme whom you would advise me to send for to do so.’’ Thinking that she was ina capricious mood, he an- swered : | “Send for George Malcolm; he is an honest lawyer and an honest man. But why not let me make your will, Mrs. Hardman ?” “ Because I am going to leave you something in it; and I have not read of the glorious uncertainties of the English law for so many years without wishing to be on the safe side. I may fail, but I will take all reasonable precau- | tions.’’ He laughed at the time, giving little heed to what she — said, and soon afterward he forgot all about the incident, Gomilcbooks:co