Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/160

130 thanked his legal rival for the information.

The miserly old soldier had really a poor case, and McKinley won the suit with little trouble, much to the satisfaction of the man who had engaged him. Shortly after that he met the counsel for the losing party.

"I am glad that you told me what manner of man my client was," said the other lawyer. "As soon as I saw how poor his case really was, and heard how he had treated you, I made him pay me a retainer almost equal to my whole bill for services. He was furious when the case was lost, and he wanted me to pay back the money. He called me a swindler, and I couldn't shut him up until I threatened to sue him for blackmail. Then he sneaked off scared to death. I want nothing more to do with such a man."

"Nor do I," answered McKinley.

As the days slipped by, Judge Belden kept his eyes on the young lawyer, and presently placed another case in his hands. Again the rising young advocate did his best, and won the suit.

"You are just the young man I am