THE GENTLEMAN BEGGAR.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1078, 27 August 1883, Page 4

THE GENTLEMAN BEGGAR.

LITERATURE.

{Cor eluded.) “ But, madam, the man is starving. I have strong reasons for believing lie is entitled to property, and if yon refuse my assistance I must take other measures.” She rang the boll, wrote something rapidly on a card, and, ns the footman appeared, pushed it toward mo 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 yon have any claim. Robert, show the person out, and take care lie is not admitted again.” So far I bad effected nothing, and,to tell the truth, felt rather crestfallen under the influence of that grand manner peculiar to certain ladies and to all great actresses. My next visit w«s to attorneys, Messrs L‘>asem & Fnshnn, of Lincoln’s Inn square, end there I was at home. T had had dealings with the firm before, They are agents for half the aristocaracy, who always run.in crowds .like sheep after the same wine merchant, the same architects, the same horse dealer-and the same law agents. It may ho doubted whether the quality of law a"d land management they .got on this principle is ( qual to their wine .and hors* s. At any r.a'o, my .friends at Lincoln’s Inn, like olhcrs.of the same class/are distinguished by their courteous manners, deliberate proceedings, innocence of legal technicalities, dong, credit- arid heavy charges. Leasem, the cider partner, wears powder and a,huge hunch of seals, lives in Queen square, drives a brougham, gives the dinners and does the cordial department. He is so stiictdn per-forming the latter duly that he once addressed a poacher who had shot a duke’s keeper as “my dear creature, ’’ although he afterward hanged him. :

: Fasliun has chambers in St James street, drives a cab, wears a Tip, and does the grand ha-ha style.

My business l»y with Leasem,; T’he interviews and letters passing were numerous. However, it came at last to’ tfio.. following dialogue : “ Well, my dear Mr Discount,” began Mr Leasem, who hates me like poison, I’m really very sorry that poor, dear Moiinos—knew his father well, a great inan ; a perfect gentleman ; .htn you know what women are, eh, Mr Discount ? My clh-nt won’t advance a shilling ; she knpws it .would only .be wasted inflow dissipation. Now, don’t yon think (this was said very insinnatingly)—don’t yon think he had better be sent to the workhouse ? Very comfortable accoramoda! ion there, I can,assure yon—meat twice a week, and excellent soup; and then, MrDisconnt, we might consider about allowing yon something for that bill.”

“ Mr Leasem, can you reconcile it to your conscience to make such an afrangetlient ? Here’s a wife rolling in luxury and;a'husband starving.” . ' ‘ No, Mr Disconnl, not starving ; thefe is the work-house,. as. X, observed before, besides, allow nte to snggest thal these, appeals to feeling are quite unprofessional—quite unprofessional.” “ Bnt,- Mr Leasem, touchsng this property which the poor man is cnutled to?” .

“ WJiy, there, -again, , Mr D., you most excuse rue ; yon - must excuse me, I don’t say he is ; I don’t say he is not. If yon k now -he : is en titled tn property, lam sure you know ; bow to proceed. The Jaw is 6pe'n to;you,' Mr Discount—. the ; !aw f is open; and' 'a ’than “of your, talent will know how td;use it”’ “ Then. Mr Densem;/-yon; mean thatI .must,in order to right this., starving; man, ’file a bill of discovery toextract from you. the /parti’cnlars of his rights. Yon bave thos .marriage settlement and alhtheririforriietioh, and yon decline to allow a pension or afford any information ; the man is to starve or go to the work-house..” . “ W hj’, y,6n‘ are _s&-, quick and violent, it ; but yon see here fhere a subdued smile of t^i } ngaphJt s hnsf>beqn< .decided, tb.atfa solicitor Ts not • bo.unq: to afford such information as you'ask’To the injury of his client,” ,- ......

‘‘ Then ’yon/mean; That this poor Moiinos,may rot apd ; starve, .while yon keep , secret from him, at his wife’s request*, ’his title to an income, .and that the Court of Chancery will back yon in this iniquity.”I kept repeating the word “starve,” because I saw it made my respectable opponent wince. ~ t \ . ; “ Well, then, jiist listen to mo. ,1 know /tlmtjpi the happy, state sof your equity law, ..chancery -can’t help my client, ,but I have another, plan : I will go hence to=my office, issue a writ, take your client’s husband into execution ; as soon as he is lodged in jail X shallfile bis'schedule in the Insolvent Court, and when he comes up for,bis discharge, I shall pnt yon in the witness box and examine yon on oath, touching property of which* you know the insolvent to be possessed,’ and where will be your privilege communication then ?” The respectable Leasom’s face lengthened in a twinkling; his comfortable, confident air vanishedj die, ceased twiddling his. gold chain, and, at length he muttered T ;

“ Suppose we pay the debt ?” “ Why, then, I’ll arrest him the day after for another.”;

“ But-,/my dear Mr Discount, surely such’ conduct would not be quite respectable.” “That’s my business;, my client has been wronged, I ani determined to right him, and when-the aristocratic firm of Leasem and Fashnn takes refuge, according to the custom of respectable repudiates, in the cool arbors of the Ccust of Chancery why,' a mere bill discounting attorney like David Discount need not hesitate about catling a bludgeon out of the insolvent court.”

“ Well, well,' Mr D., yon arc so warm _i-so fiery.- Wo must'ilelM'vraio ; wo-must s consult. Yon will givo nnii Uio day nftcr to-morrow, and then we’ll

write yon one final determination. In the meantime send ns a copy of yonr authority to act for Mr Moiinos Fitz Roy.” . . Of course I. lest no time .in getting the gentleman beggar to sign a proper letter.

(To be Continued.)