The affidavit then went on to state that the de-
fendant had given the plaintiflF good grounds for
seeking for a divorce and that she was without
means to engage counsel or prepare for trial. The
contents of the paper was skilfully worded so as
to convey the impression that the deponent was a
woman of somewhat doubtful character herself,
but that on the other hand she had been tricked by
the defendant into a secret — and what he intended
to be a temporary — marriage. Attached thereto
was another affidavit from the justice of the peace
to the effect that on the date in question he had
united in the holy bonds of matrimony a man and
a woman who had given the names of Sadie Bings
and Joshua Blank.
"Well, Gottheb," said I, "this is interesting
reading, whether it be fact or fiction; but what is
its significance to us ?"

"Why," answered my associate, "these are the
papers I propose to use on a motion for counsel fee
and alimony in a divorce action brought against
Mr. Chester Gates, a broker downtown — and, I
may add, a very rich and respectable young gentle-

134



Artemas Quibble

man. Of course, I have no personal knowledge of
the matter, as the case has been sent to us by one
of our legal friends in Chicago; but I am quite
sure that the court will grant me a counsel fee in
order to enable the poor woman to prepare her
case and bring it to trial."

"But," I replied, "we have made just such ap-
plications a thousand times before, have we not ?"

Gottlieb gave me one of his long, slow winks.
