Silas Bradford's Boy by Joseph C. Lincoln

The days in the office now were even more discouraging than they had been at the time when that office was first opened. Then, at least, Uncle Abijah was a daily visitor. Now he did not come at all. Banks had been very busy during his short term of employment by the Trent interests; now, by contrast, idleness was emphasized and much harder to bear.

He had a little work--Hezekiah Bartlett, true to his promise, brought in a few more deeds to be drawn and another trifling title search. Also he introduced a crony of his, almost his only firm friend, one Solomon Dobbs, of North Harniss, who was involved in a long-winded squabble over a cranberry-swamp property. Having quarreled with a former lawyer--his third--he needed another to carry on.