Self-Raised | Page 3

"Ah!" exclaimed Ishmael, with a shudder.
"Well, and have you thought over what we were talking of yesterday?"
"It was--" Ishmael began, and then hesitated.
"It was about your going into partnership with me."
"Oh, yes! so it was! but I have not had time to think of it yet."
"Well, think over it today, will you, and then after the court has
adjourned come to my chambers and talk the matter over with me. Will
you?"
"Thank you, yes, certainly."
"Ah, well! I will not keep you any longer, for I see that you are in a
hurry."
"It is because I have an appointment at ten," said Ishmael courteously.
"Certainly; and appointments must be kept. Good morning."
"Good morning, Mr. Wiseman."
"Mind, you are to come to my chambers after the court has adjourned."
"I will remember and come," said Ishmael.
And each went his way.
Ishmael had not yet seriously thought of Lawyer Wiseman's proposal.
This forenoon, however, in the intervals of his professional business, he
reflected on it.
The proposed partnership was unquestionably a highly advantageous
one, in a worldly point of view. Lawyer Wiseman was undoubtedly the
best lawyer and commanded the largest practice at the Washington bar,
with one single exception--that of the brilliant young barrister whom he
proposed to associate with himself. Together, they would be invincible,
carrying everything before them; and Ishmael's fortune would be
rapidly made.
So far the offer was a very tempting one; yet the more Ishmael reflected
on it the more determined he became to refuse it; because, in fact, his
conscience would not permit him to enter into partnership with Lawyer
Wiseman, for the following reasons: Lawyer Wiseman, a man of
unimpeachable integrity in his private life, declined to carry moral
responsibility into his professional business. He was indiscriminate in
his acceptation of briefs. It mattered not whether the case presented to

him was a case of injustice, cruelty, or oppression, so that it was a case
for law, with a wealthy client to back it. The only question with Lawyer
Wiseman being the amount of the retaining fee. If his client liberally
anointed Lawyer Wiseman's eyes with golden ointment, Lawyer
Wiseman would undertake to see and make the judge and jury see
anything and everything that his client wished! With such a man as this,
therefore, whatever the professional advantages of the association
might be, Ishmael could not enter into partnership.
And so when the court had adjourned Ishmael walked over to the
chambers of Mr. Wiseman on Louisiana Avenue, and in an interview
with the old lawyer courteously declined his offer.
This considerably astonished Mr. Wiseman, who pressed Ishmael for
the reasons of his strange refusal.
And Ishmael, being urged, at length candidly confessed them.
Instead of being angry, as might have been expected, the old lawyer
was simply amused. He laughed at his young friend's scruples, and
assured him that experience would cure them. And the interview having
been brought to a close, they shook hands and parted amicably.
Ishmael hurried home to dine and spend the evening with the family.
On the Monday following, at the order of Judge Merlin, preparations
were commenced for shutting up the town house and leaving
Washington for Tanglewood; for the judge swore that, let anyone
whatever get married, or christened, stay in the city another week he
could not, without decomposing, for that his soul had already left his
body and preceded him to Tanglewood, whither he must immediately
follow it.
Oh, but Bee had plenty of work to look after that week--the packing up
of all the children's clothes, and of all the household effects-- such as
silver plate, cut-glass, fine china, cutlery, etc., that were to be sent
forward to Tanglewood.
She would have had to overlook the packing of the books also, but that
Ishmael insisted on relieving her of that task, by doing it all with his
own hands, as indeed he preferred to do it, for his love of books was
almost--tender. It was curious to see him carefully straighten the leaves
and brush the cover and edges of an old book, as conscientiously as he
would have doctored a hurt child. They were friends and he was fond
of them.

Ishmael continued steadily in the performance of all his duties, yet that
he was still suffering very much might be observed in the abiding
paleness and wasting thinness of his face, and in a certain languor and
weariness in all his movements.
Bee in the midst of her multifarious cares did not forget his interests;
she took pains to have his favorite dishes appear on the table in order to
tempt him to take food. But, observing that he still ate little or nothing,
while he daily lost flesh, she took an opportunity