The Argosy, March 1907 — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

And so Wib’s last hope of reaching Adrian fell through. He became thor- oughly despondent. The days dragged abominably, and in- stead of three weeks, it: seemed as though he had been incarcerated as many years. His health was breaking down under the nervous strain and the poor diet. Yet the oftener he thought of seiz- ing his one opportunity for escape— through the debtor's oath—the greater was his revolt from it. Through his misfortune and ignorance he had reached this place; but in his heart he knew he had committed no wrong or mean act. But to deliber- ately shame himself in court for the sake of escaping from jail—no! he could not do that. To his amazement, one day, a call came.to him from the office. He knew that it was not Bella’s usual day, and he expected no other visitor, so he went into the corridor with that same fear and trembling which he had experienced once before. - ‘Somebody here to see you, Mr. Har- ris,’ said Marren pleasantly, and sur- prised Wib still further by, opening the door in the screen and letting him into the main office. ‘“‘ He says he’s your lawyer,” added the officer, with marked respect. Wib flushed angrily, and looked about the office expecting to see Fysher, who might have come out to learn if Wib was ready to “give in.” But he saw only a silk-hatted gentleman with gold- rimmed eye-glasses and a general air of refinement and prosperity about him. Wib was suddenly conscious of his own shortcomings of dress and toilet. The prison barber shaved the debtors only once a week, and Wib knew that his collar and cuffs were frayed. Be- sides, his boots were badly broken and needed a shine. -“You are Wilbur Harris?” asked the gentleman, eying Wib curiously. = ¥es;. sir.” =: This is my card,” and the ae passed him an engraved bit of cardboard. ‘“T understand that you are in need of an attorney’s services.” Wib was speechless for a minute. The name on the card was that of one of the best-known lawyers of Fallowsea, 720. “THE ARGOSY. and the young man knew well enough that this gentleman was not in the habit of “drumming up” trade. He could not understand it at all. He stared from the card to the man’s face and finally blurted out: : ““T—I didn’t send for you, sir.” “Very true.” ‘“ And—and I have no money. I can- not afford to engage a lawyer. Indeed, there is nothing a lawyer can do for me— now.’ “We will waive your first statement, Harris,’ returned the attorney, with a smile, “and I beg to disagree with your last remark. A lawyer is exactly what you need.” “Fo =-get-- me -outy 1 mean?” * Certainly.” ‘““Is—is there any way of ome that without my taking what they call the poor-debtor’s oath?” “No easy way—no.” “Then you cannot help me, sir, even if you were kind enough to do so with- out pay.” “As to that last, young man, you need not harp upon it. I am not in the habit of giving my personal attention to small matters—especially to come out here and see a debtor—without pay. I shall be reimbursed.” Wib stared at him. “You mean somebody has sent you?” “I do. Mr. Peter Ware, one of my oldest clients, has asked me to give my personal attention to your case. I have learned the facts, and see plainly that had you been wise enough to appear in court when the judgment was taken against you, and again when the warrant for your arrest was issued, or been repre- sented by counsel on those occasions, you would not have been here at all. “ But now that you are here through such neglect and ignorance, the easiest and cheapest way of getting you ‘out is for you to take the oath.” | “Is that the only way?” murmured Wib, trying to adjust his understanding to the fact that Mr. Ware had done this. ‘No, I suppose not. I can get a writ, have you reappear in court, reopen the case, and probably settle the business without much trouble. But it will cost twenty-five dollars at least to open the suppose you comicbooks:com