Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 62: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

532 The great lawyer shrugged his shoulders. ‘“‘ Evidently window-cleaners are scarcer than law clerks,” he remarked cynically. “IT am offering you all that you would be worth to us, Mr. Pembroke. Sorry we can’t interest you in the position. In case you should happen to change your mind before the vacancy is filled you might let us hear from you again.” I strode out of his office, resentful, -dis- appointed, and somewhat crushed in spirit. But by the time the elevator reached the street level my optimism had begun to as- sert itself. It was a bit of a blow to my self-esteem to discover that in these days of the shrunken dollar my services were appraised at such a low valuation by one of the big- gest and most prosperous law firms in New York City, but no doubt there were other firms who would be quick to place a fairer and more flattering value on them. When presently I arrived at my own office, on the twentieth floor of the Drum- mond Building, I had so far recovered from my chagrin and dejection that Mcll- vaine, my partner, mistook the smile on my face for a signal of success. ‘You landed it?” he greeted me, before I had a chance to say a word. “The position is mine, I believe, if I decide to take it,” I told him. “ They are in need of a managing clerk who Is ex- perienced in corporation, surrogate’s, real estate and trial work. I had a talk with Berger, the head of the firm, and I think I can say that I succeeded in convincing him that I am the man they are looking for.” ‘But you haven’t fully decided yet? You didn’t definitely arrange to go with them?” my partner asked, with an anxious frown. ‘Not exactly. We couldn’t quite agree on the question of salary. Old Berger got reckless and offered me thirty dollars per week. I am to let him hear from me later in case I find that my conscience will per- mit me to accept such a princely wage.” Mcllvaine’s handsome, smooth-shaven face lighted up, and he exhaled a deep breath of relief. “ Thank goodness!” he exclaimed. ‘“ I’m THE ARGOSY. mighty glad it turned out that way, Bob. I’ve been doing some intensive cogitating since you left here to go after that position, and—IlI’ve been worrying that you might accept it before I had a chance to dissuade you. ‘You see,” he went on, “I’ve about come to the conclusion that—er—that there might be a better way of solving our problem than the plan you suggested. It does seem such a pity that the firm of Pembroke and McIlvaine should be split Rp ‘ Of course it’s a pity,” I acquiesced, his emotion striking a responsive chord within me. ‘“ But what else is there to be done, old man? That hundred per cent boost in our office rent was the last straw. De- duct that staggering increase in our ex- penses from our total income and, even with the annual retainer from the Westland _ people thrown in, there won’t be enough left to provide more than one of us with a moderate living. It’s a clear case of united we fall, divided we stand. One of us has got to get out and give the other a chance to collect enough from the business to keep out of the breadline. I thought I had you thoroughly convinced this morning, Mar- vin, that it was the only way.” ‘You did have me pretty well convinced then,” he responded, smiling. “ Much as I hated the idea of our parting company, IT let you persuade me to flip a coin to de- cide which one of us should go after that — job because, at the time, it looked like the only, or, at all events the most practical, solution of our problem. But—as I say— I’ve been doing some: deep thinking since’ you left, Bob, and—TI believe I’ve hit on a better plan.” “A better plan!” I echoed. ‘ One that will make it unnecessary for us to break up the partnership? Let’s hear it.” The eagerness in my voice was a sincere indication of my reluctance to sever my professional relationship with Marvin Mc- Ilvaine if the step could possibly be avoid- ed. We had been chums at college and at law school. We had fought side by side in the Argonne Forest. We had been law partners ever since our admission to the bar. On that day we had gripped hands AMICLOOO (S| Q) S (CC)