SOLON ROBINSON, 1841 177 



moment's reflection convinced the acute, penetrating 

 mind of Scott that, at least, there was much danger, and 

 so he expressed himself to the anxious inquiries of his 

 wife and the lovely Indiana, whom he loved as an only- 

 child. But, they would not torment themselves without 

 cause, and he immediately started to consult "one learned 

 in the law." To him he laid open the whole case. His 

 advice was honest. He had better compromise with the 

 claimant, and for a gross sum get a quit claim to his 

 right. This plan was adopted, and gave hope, and hope 

 gives relief while it lasts. But it was of short duration, 

 for a return of mail brought an answer from Atwater's 

 Attorney in a neighboring town, "that the only terms of 

 compromise were ten thousand in cash, and" — here Scott 

 hastily rose and handed the letter to Indiana, with the 

 remark, that the rest concerned her. Never before in her 

 life had she seen such a settled gloom upon her dear 

 father's face. She took the letter and read — "and no 

 compromise will be accepted, until Indiana is united to a 

 person whom the plaintiff will name, if his very kind 

 offer is accepted." She was not a girl to faint on such an 

 occasion, although the proposal was most shocking, for 

 she well knew that the husband to be named for her was 

 no other than the stinking carcase of one of those At- 

 tornies who disgrace the profession — and no other than 

 the writer himself, who had been thrice rejected, and no 

 doubt now was at the very bottom of this suit, and had 

 procured the plaintiff to institute it. Calmly she re- 

 turned the letter to Scott, remarking that she was willing 

 to do any thing that would add to the happiness of her 

 parents. Never, then, will you accept this proposal. We 

 will be reduced to beggary first. But, said the kind 

 hearted girl, why talk of beggary? Surely I can claim 

 an equal share of the property with my dear brother, and 

 with that we can all live comfortable. But the thought 

 of being obliged to give up one-half to the gratification 

 of the profligate habits of young Atwater, or the gloating 

 rascality of his Attorney, was gall and wormwood to 



