The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 2

_Reiss._ To whom it is often prudent to yield.

_Clar._ No, Sir, no!

_Reiss._ But, suppose your son should wish to rise still higher?

_Clar._ Then G.o.d grant it do him good! that is my cordial wish. But I shall remain where I am, and I shall not climb after him.

_Reiss._ Well then, I must speak plain to you; your son pays his addresses to my daughter.

_Clar._ Does he? that is well done. Your daughter is an amiable young lady.

_Reiss._ Well, well;--but then I have some conditions to propose. I only desire that you may change your situation in life.

_Clar._ Does your daughter likewise insist on it?

_Reiss._ Suppose she did?

_Clar._ Then I would, were I in my son's place, decline the hand of a lady that would be ashamed of my father.

_Reiss._ But, if I should only ask that you shall leave off business--

_Clar._ Leave off business? I might as well leave off living. I am proud of my business, for, upon my word, I am a good carpenter.

_Reiss._ Well then, you may say you have been a carpenter. When you are Mayor, I will, with pleasure, call you brother. Only accept the office, and we will see the business taken care of.

_Clar._ No. I would be what I was called. I had better keep away from your council-board.

_Reiss._ I have now done my duty. Consider, that when the children come out of the hospital, I intend to make them a present. And that, if an action is brought against me, I shall not think myself under any obligation whatever.

_Clar._ Do not take it amiss;--I am rather positive, for I am arrived at the age in which people know which way the world turns, because they have often been forced to turn along with it. Should the poor children lose their suit, you are not the man neither of whom I should wish them take alms.

_Reiss._ Oh! if matters stand so, then I will do nothing at all, for my conscience is free, thank G.o.d.

_Clar._ I wish you joy.

_Reiss._ As for the rest, it is now all in your option, whether you will promote your son's happiness through that marriage, or not. I wish you good business, Master Clarenbach.

_Clar._ (alone.) Hem, hem!--I do not wish it, I know well enough;--but I should be sorry for Jack, if he were to lose the girl on that account.

SCENE V.

Enter GROBMAN.

_Grob._ Your humble servant, Mr. Clarenbach.

_Clar._ Servant, Sir! What is your pleasure?

_Grob._ My name is Grobman. I deal in iron wholesale.

_Clar._ Well; and--

_Grob._ And mean to settle here.

_Clar._ I wish you success.

_Grob._ But there is an other, who wishes to do the same,--one Benninger.

_Clar._ Success to him likewise!

_Grob._ He is for having the monopoly of the article here.

_Clar._ If so, I look upon him in a bad point of view.

_Grob._ But it is very profitable. I have the same object in view. Your son, the deputy, patronizes Mr. Benninger. But, if you would speak in my favour to your son, I know I should succeed.

_Clar._ I am a carpenter.

_Grob._ Very right. But then you are the Deputy's father. Benninger, as I am well informed, has secretly offered your son two thousand dollars by way of present.

_Clar._ What?

_Grob._ They have agreed.

_Clar._ Infamous calumny!

_Grob._ I will give you two hundred dollars beside, if you--

_Clar._ Set off!--for, upon my word, I will do you some mischief.

_Grob._ Do you want more than two hundred?

_Clar._ Justice I want, Justice! My son shall send you to prison, unless he be as great a good for nothing as yourself.

_Grob._ (laughs.) For what?

_Clar._ Sell! sell a monopoly! take money,--a bribe! My son, Jack Clarenbach, the sovereign's deputy, take money!

_Grob._ (laughs.) Aye, sure, for the trouble that he--

_Clar._ I will bring an action against you.

_Grob._ Are you in your senses?

_Clar._ I will inform--

_Grob._ So you may.

_Clar._ All you have said.