An invention, no doubt, and
yet the story had a run.
Although Russell was not a competitor in any sense with such
antagonists as Farley and Mann, he was in the enjoyment of a practice
that was sufficient for a living, and a prudent man would have made it
the beginning of a moderate fortune. He had neither skill in money
matters nor ordinary economy. Hence he was always in debt. At one
term of the court he entered fifty-eight writs, and there were terms
when he had from seventy to one hundred cases on the docket. Each of
these cases gave him thirty-three and one third cents costs for every
day of the term.
Russell held the office of Master in Chancery. In 1838 the Insolvent
Law was enacted, and its administration was confided to Masters in
Chancery. Russell soon gained a reputation for leniency in the matter
of granting discharges to the insolvent debtors, and his business
increased rapidly. His jurisdiction was the whole county, and although
there were several masters in the county, his fame was such that
petitions came from Lowell, Waltham and other places where masters had
offices. I was appointed clerk in insolvency, at five dollars a day
when a court was held. In this way I gained some needed income,
acquired a knowledge of the Insolvent Law, and more than all, I gained
the acquaintances of the leading lawyers of the county.
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