AN ATTORNEY'S STORY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 166, 28 May 1862, Page 5

AN ATTORNEY'S STORY.

{From Household Words.)

One morning, about five years ago, I called by appointment on Mr John Balance, the fashionable pawnbroker, to. accompany him to Liverpool, in pursuit of a levanting customer, —for Balance, in addition to pawning, <!6es a little business in the sixty per cent. line. It rained in torrents when the cab stopped at the passage which leads past the pawning boxes to his private door. The cabman rang twice, and at ltngth Balance appeared, looming through the inisi and rain in the entry, illuminated by his perpetual cigar. As I eyed him rather impatiently, remembering that trains wait for no man, something like a hairy clog, or a bundle of rags, rose up at his feet, and barred his passage for a moment. Then Balance cried out with an exclamation, in answer apparently to a something I could not,henr, " "What, man alive !—slept in the passage I —there, take that, and get some breakfast, for Heaven's sake !" So saying, he jumped into the " Hansom," and we bovvled away ten miles an hour, just catching the Express as the doors of the station were closing. My curiosity was full set, for although Balance caa be free with his money, it is"*! not exactly to beggars that his generosity is usually displaced ; so when comfortably ensconced in a " coupe,'.' I commenced with— j " You are liberal with your money this morning; pray, how often do you give silver to street cadgers?—because I shall know now what walk to take when flats and sharps leave off buying law." Balance, who, would have made an excellent parson if he had not been bred to a case-harden-ing trade, and has..still a soft bit left in his heart that is always fighting with his hard head, did not smile at all, but looked as grim as ifsqueezing a lemoii into liis Saturday nights punch. He answered, slowly—'?-A cadger—yes; a beggar—a miserable wretch, he is now; but let me tell you,. Alaster David; that miserable bundle of rags was born and bred a gentleman ; the son of a nobleman,'the husband of an heiress, and hasisat and dined at tables where you and I, Masted David, are only allowed to view the plate by favor of the buller. I have lent him thousands and been well paid. The last thing I had from hira was ' 'his.coat; and I now hold his bill lor one hundred pounds that will be paid I expect when he "dies." " Why what nonsense you are talking! you must be dreaming this morning. However, we are alone. Pll light a weed, in defiance of railway law, and you shall spin that yarn ; for, true or untrue, it will fill-up tlie time to Liverpool." ;

" As for yarn," replied Balance, " the whole story is short enough; and as for truth, that yon may easily find but if you like to take the [trouble. I thought the poor wretch was dead, and I own it put me out meeting him this morning, for Iliad a curious dream last night." ' I "Oh, hang your dreams ! Tell us about this gentleman begger that bleeds you of your halfcrowns—that melts even the heart of li pawnbroker:" ■ ■ ' ; ' ' ■ ■' I-''' *

' " Well, then-, that beggar is the illegitimate son ofthe lute Marquis of Hoopboroiigh by a (Spanish lady of rank. ' He received a first-rate education, and was brought up in his fiithei's house. Ata very early! age be obtained aii appointment in a public ofHce, was. presented by ; the Marquis at Court, and received in to the first-society, where his handsome person and agreeable manners' made him a great favorite. Soon after, coming of age he married the daughter of Sir E. Bumper, who brought him a handsome fortiue, wliich was strictly settled on herself. They lived injsplendid style, Icept severalcarringcs, a house in town, and a place in the country. For some reason or other, idleness, or to please his lady's pride he said, he resigned his appointment.. His father died, and left him nothing; indeed, he seemed at that time very handsomely provided for." . . i

" Very soon Mr. and Mrs. Molinos Fitzroy began to disagree. She was cold, correct—he was hot and ■ random. Pie was quite dependent on her, and she made him feel it. When lie began to get into debt, ho came to. me. At length some shocking qiiurrel occurred ; some case of jealousy on the wife's side, not without reason, I belive ; and the end of it was Mr! Fitzroy was turned out of doors. The house was his wife's, the furniture was his wife's, and the'fortune.was his; wife's— he, in fact, her! prisoner. He left with a fewhundred pounds ready money, and some (personal jewellery, and went to an hotel. On these and credit he lived. Being illegitimate, he had no relations ; being a fool, when he spent his money he lost his friends. Tlie world took his wife's part, when they found she had the fortunp, and the only parties who interfered were her 'relatives, who did their best to make the quarrel incurable. ■

" I lost sight of Molinos for a long time, "and when I next came upon him it was in the Rookery of Westminster, in a low lodging house, where I was searching with au officer fbr stolen goods. He was pointed out to me as the ' gentleAen cadger,' because he was so tree with his money When 'in luck.' He recognised mo, but turned away then 1 have since seen him, and relieved him more than once, although he never asks for anything. How hc.-llres, Heaven knows^ Without money, without friends, without useful education of any kind, he tramps the country, as you saw him; perhaps doing a little hop-picking or haymaking, in •season;-only--happy, when he obtains the means to get drunk. I have heard through the kitchen whispers, that you know come to nic, that he is intitled to some property ; and I expect were he to die, his ivife would pay the one hundred pound bill I hold ; at any rate, what I have told you I know to be true, and the bundle of rags I relieved just now is known in every thieves' lodging in England as the ' gentleman cadger.'."- .

This story produced an impression on me, —I am fond of speculation, and like the excitement of a legal hunt as much as some do a fox chase. A gentleman a beggar, a wife rolling in wealth, rumours of unknown property due to the husband, it seemed as if there were pickings' for mc amidst this carrion of pauperism. \

Before returning from Liverpool, I! had purchased the gentleman beggar's acceptance from Balance. I then irisertcd in the Times the following advertisement: — " Horatio Molinos Fitzroy.—lf this gentleman will apply to David Discount, Esq , Solicitor, St. James's,he will hear something to his -idvantage; any person furnishing Mr. F.s ' correct address, shall receive £1 ls. reward. He was last seen, &c" ;. '

Within t irenty-four hours, I had ample proof of the wide circulation of the Times. .My office was beseiged with beggars of every degree, men and women, lame and blind, Irish, Scotch, and English, some on crutches, some in bowls, soniein go-carts. They all knew him as the' "gentleman," and I must do the - regular fraternity of tramps the justice to say that not one of them would answer a question until: he made certain that I meant the "gentleman cadger" no harm.

One evening, about three weeks after the appearance of the advertisement, my clerkannounced " another beggar." There came in an old man leaning upon a staff, clad in a soldier's great coat all patched and torn, with a battered hat, from under which a mass of tangled hair fell oyer his shoulders, and half concealed his face. The beggar, iii a weak, wheezy, hesitating, tone, said "Yon have advertised for Molinos Fitzroy. I hope you don't mean him any harm ; he is sunk, I think, too low for enmity now; and surely no one would sport with such misery as his." These last words were'uttered in a sort of piteous whisper. I answered quickly, "Heaven forbid'l should sport with misery ; I mean and hope to do him good as well as myself." . " Then, Sir, I nm Molinos Fitzroy 1"

While-we were conversing candles had been brought in. I have not very tender nerves—my head would not agree with them—but I own I started and shuddered when I saw and knew that the wretched creature before me was under thirty years of age, and once a gentleman. Sharp aquiline features, reduced to literal skin and bone, were begrimed and covered with dry, fair hair,; the: white teeth of the half-open mouth chattered with eagerness, ancl made more hideous the foul pallor of the rest of his countenance. As he stood leaning on a staff-half bent; his long, yellow, bony fingers clasped over, the clutch-head of his stick, he. was indeed a picture of misery, famine,* squalor, and premature age, too horrible to dwell upon. I made him'shvdowni-sent for some refreshment; ; which He devoured like a ghoul, and set to work

to unravel his story. It was difficult to keep him to the point • but with pains, I learned what convinced me that he'was entitled to some property, whether great or small there was no evidence. On parting, I said,' Now, Mr. P., you must stay in town while I make proper enquiries. What aliowance will be enough to keep you comfortably ? " - lie answered humbly, after much pressing, " Would you think ten shillings too much ?" I don't like to do these tilings at all, to do them shabbily, so I said, "Come every, Saturday, and you shall have a pound." He was profuse in thanks, of course, as all such men are as long as distress lasts. I had previously learned that my ragged client's wife was in England, living in a splendid house in Hyde Park Gardens, under her maiden nnine. On the" following clay the Earl of Owing called npou me, wanting £5,000 by five o'clock the same evening. It was a,case of life or death with him, so I took advantage of his pressure to cxcciite a coup de main. I proposed that he should drive me home to receive the money, calling at Mrs. Molinos, in Hyde Park Gardens, on our way. I knew that the coronet and liveries of his father, the marquis, would ensure me an audience with Mrs. Molinos Pitzroy. My scheme answered. -1 was introduced into the lady' 6 presence.. She was, and probably is, a stately handsome woman, with a pale complexion, self-satisfied mouth. My interview was very short. I plunged into the middle of-.the affair, but had scarcely mentioned the word husband, when she interrupted me with, " I presume you have lent this profligate person money, and want me to pay you."', "Slie'paused, and then said, "He shall not have a farthing." As she spoke, her white face became scarlet. "But, madam, the man is starving. I have strong reasons for believing he is entitled to property, and if you refuse any assistance, I must take other measures." She rang the bell, wrote something rapidly on a card, and, as the footman appeared, pushed it towards me across the table, with the air.of touching a toad, saying, "There, Sir, is the address of my solicitors ; apply to them if you think you have any claim. Robert, show the person out, and take care that he is not admitted again." ! ' ' . . -.' So far I effected nothing ; and, to tell the truth, felt rather crest ihllen under the influence of that grand mjfnner peculiar to certain ladies and to all great actresses. r. ....... My next.visit was to the attorneys, Messrs. Leasem and Pishun, of Lincoln's Inn Square, and there I was at home. I had had dealings with the firm before. They are agents for half the firms in London. Pashun has chambers in St. James's street, drives a cab, wears a tip, and does the grand halia style,, . .. ■ .. ■• • "' .: ; : My business lay with Leasem. , The interviews i and letters passing were numerous. However, it came at last to the following dialogue :^— I "Well, my dear Mr. Discount,"- began Mr. Leasem, who hates me like poison. • I'm really very sorry for that poor dear Moliaos—knew liis father well, a great man.a perfect gentleman ";' but you know what women are, eh, Mr: Discount? My client wonjt advance a shilling, srie knows it would only be wasted in low dissipation. Now don't you think (this was said ,very insinuatingly —don't you think he had better be sent, to the workhouse ; very comfortable accommodation there, I can assure- you-—meat twice a week, and excellent soup ; and then, Mr. 'D.,' we might consider about allowing you something for that bill." ■ "Mr. Leasem, can you reconcile it to your conscience to make such an arrangement ? Here's a wife rolling1 in luxury, and a husband starving 1" ' ' ' "'■ " No, Mr. Discount, not starving ; there is the workhouse, as I observed before,; besides, allow me to suggest,' that these appeals to feelings are quite unprofessional—gui to unprofessional." " But, Mr. Leasem, touching this property, whicli Ahc poor man is justly entitled to." • "Why, there, again, Mr. D., yoii must excuse mo, you really must. If you know he is entitled to property, lam sure you know how to proceed ; the law is open to you Mr. Discount—the law is open to you ; and a man of talent will of-course know how to use it." * '- -■ " Then, Mr. Leasem, you mean that I; must, in order to right this starving man, file a Bill of Discovery, to extract from you the particulars of his rights. Ton have the Marriage Settlement, and all the particulars, aud you decline "to allow a pension, or aflord any information ; the man is to starve, or go to the workhouse ?" " Why, Mr. D., you are so quick and violent, it really is not, professional; but, you see (here a subdued. smile of triumph), it has been decided that a solicitor is not bound to afford the information you ask, to the injury of his client." "Then you mean that this poor Molinos may rot and starve, while you keep secret from him, athis wife's request, his title to an income, and that the Court of Chancery will back you in tills iiiiquity." ! I "kept repeating the word " starve," because I saw it made my respectable opponent wince. "Well, then, just listen to me. I know that in the happy state of our equity law, chancery can't help my client—but I have another plan ; I shall go hence to my office, issue a writ, and take your . client's husband in execution—as soon as he is lodged in gaol, J shall file his schedule ;in the Insolvent Court, and, when he comes <up for his discharge, I shall put you in the witness-box, and examine you, on oath, 'touching any property of which you know the insolvent to be possessed,' and where will he all your privileged communications then?" i The respectable, Leasem's face lengthened in a twinkling, his comfortable, confident air . vanished, he ceased twiddling his gold chain, and at length lie muttered, " Suppose we pay the debt?" i "Why, then I'll arrest him the day after for another." "But, my dear Mr. Discount, surely such conduct would hot be considered as quite respectable ?" "That's my business ; my■ client ,has been wronged, I am determined to right him, and when the aristocratic firm of Leasem and Pashun takes refuge according to the custom of respectable repudiators, in the cool arbours of the Court of Chancery, why, a mere bill discounting attorney like David Discount need not hesitate to cut a bludgeon out of the Insolvent Court." "Well, well, Mr. D., you are so ! warm—so fiery ; we must deliberate—-we must consult. You will give me until • the day ; after tomorrow, and then we'll write jyou our final determination ; in the meantime, send us a copy of your authority to act for Mr. Molinos Pitzroy." Of coursc'l lost no lime in getting the gentleman beggar to sign a proper letter. On the appointed day came a communication with the L and P seal, which I opened not without unprofessional eagerness. It was as fol-. lows :— ■■•.;■■ "In re Molinos■ Filzroy and Another." • " Sir, —In answer to your application on behalf of Mr. Molinos Pitzroy, we beg to inform you that under the administration oi a paternal aunt who died intestate, your client is entitled to two thousand five hundred pounds eight shillings and sixpence —Three per Cents ; one thousand five hundred pounds nineteen shillings and four-pence ■ —Three per Cents .Reduced ; one thousand pounds, Long Annuities ; five hundred pounds, Bank Stock; three thousand five hundred pounds, Indian Stock ; besides other securities, making up about ten thousand pounds, which we are prepared to transfer over to Mr. Molinos Pitzroy's direction forthwith.'' Here was a windfall. It quite -took away my breath. At dusk came my gentleman beggar, and what puzzled me was how to break the news to him. Being very overwhelmed with business that day, I had not much time for consideration. He came in rather " better dressed than when I first saw him, with only a week's beard on his chin, but as usual not quite sober. ' Six weeks had elapsed since our first interview, ne was still the humble, trembling, low-voiced creature I first knew I him. After a prelude, I said, " I find, Mr. P., you are entitled to something ; pray, what do you mean to give me in addition to my bill for obtaining if ?" He answered rapidly, " Oh, take half ; it there is one hundred pounds, take half; if there is five hundred, poujids take half," ' ,-., .

"No, no, Mr. 3?., I don't do business in that way. I shall be satisfied with ten percent.'' It was so settled. I then led him out into the street, impelled to tell him the news, yet dreading the effect; not daring to makes the revelation in- my office for fear of there being a scene. I began, hesitatingly, " Mr. I<\, I am happy to say that I find j\ou are entitled to ten thousand pounds:" "Ten thousand pounds!" lie echoed. "Ten thousand pounds !" he shrieked. "Ten thousand pounds !" he yelled; seizing my arm violently. " You arc a brick,- Here, cab ! cab !" Several drove up—the shout 'might have been heard a mile off. ' He jumped in the first. " Where to ?" said the driver. " To a tailor's, you rascal 1" " Ten thousand pounds 1 ha, ha, ha I" he. .repeated hysterically, when .in the cab ; and every moment grasping my hand. Presently he subsided, looking me straight in the face, and muttered with agonising fervor, " What a jolly brick you are I" The tailor; the hosier, the bootmaker, the hairdresser, were in turn visited by this poor pagan of externals. As by degrees . under their hands he emerged from the begger to the gentleman, his spirits rose ; his eyes brightened ; he walked erect, but-always nervously grasping my arm: fearing apparently to lose sight of mo for a moment, lest his fortune should vanish with me. The impatient pride with which he gave his order to the astonished tradesman for the finest and best of everything, and the amazed air of the fashionable hairdresser. when he presented his matted locks and stubble' chin to be " cut and shaved,',' may be.acted—it cannot be described. By the time the external transformation was complete, and I sat down in the cafe in the Haymarket opposite a haggard but handsome •thorough bred looking man, whose air, with the exception of the wild eyes and deeply browned face, -j.did hot differ from the stereotyped men about town sitting around us, ]J£i\ Molinos Pitzroy had almost forgotten the pa's!*; he bullied the waiters, criticised the wine, as if he had done nothing else but dine and drink and.scold there all the days of Ilia life. ; s Once he wished to drink my.health, and would have proclaimed his whole story to the coffee room assembly, in a raving style; When I left he almost wept in terror at the idea of losing sight of me. But, allowing for the ebullitions— the natural r.esul^of such a whirl of events—he was wonderfully calm and self possessed.: " The next day, his- first care was to distribute fifty pounds among his friends—the cadgers, at a house of call in Westminster, and formally to dissolve his connection with them; those present undertaking for the "fraternity," that for the future ho should never be noticed by them in public or private. - . I cannot follow his career much further. Adversity had taught him nothing. He was soon again surrounded by the well bred vampires who hud forgotten him when he was penniless ; but they amused him," and that was enough. The tea thousand pounds were rapidly melting, when ie invited me,to a grand dinner at Richmond, which included a dozen of the most agreeable, good looking, well dressed dandies of .London, interspersed with a dozen of pretty .butterfly bonnets. We dined deliciously, and drank as men do of iced wines.in the dog days—loolritig down from -Richmond Hill. , ■■ -. ■, - One. Of the pink bonnets crowned OFitzroy with a wreath of flowers ; he looked—-less the; intellect —-as handsome as Alcibiades.. Intensely excited and flushedj he rose with a champagne glass in his hand to propose my health. ' • : .The oratorical powers of his father had not descended on him. Jerking out sentences by ■ spasms, at length he said, " I was a beggar—l am a gentleman—thanks to this"— ! Here he leaned on my shoulder heavily for a moment, and then fell back. We raised him, loosened his neckcloth— ! " Painted ! " said the ladies. ; "Drunk!" said the gentlemen— '" j He was dead. ' '