Page:A Memorial of John Boyle O'Reilly from the City of Boston.djvu/41

Rh many-sided man. From my knowledge of him that is very true. He might have had a side that his pastor did not know, because we are somewhat apt to conceal that side from the clergyman, and that side is the bad side.

But, my friends, that side is always shown to the lawyer. If a man has that side, some lawyer knows it. That lawyer is his most confidential friend, in whom he can confide next after his wife, and before his clergyman.

Now I, for more than twenty years, have maintained that relation with John Boyle O'Reilly. A most unprofitable client, for he has never had a lawsuit or a contention. And therefore I know that however many sides he had, they were all great and good. And I add my testimony in that regard.

He had one weakness, which was a very uncomfortable one to him, and that was, he could not hear a tale of woe or misfortune that he did not set himself about rectifying or relieving it. He could never resist, not only an appeal when made to him, but the most casual information of wrong done, and especially of wrong done to the poor and unprotected. And many of his visits to me were not for himself, but in behalf of others whom he thought I might aid, being carried on by the thrilling and fervent and thorough eloquence of an orator, who could set forth their cause well when the aggrieved party would fail. Many and many a time has he come into my office to tell me about some