As soon as Mr.Ridley was well enough to be out again he took counsel of friends, and after careful deliberation resolved to leave his native town and remove to the city.

A lawyer of fine ability, and known to the public as a clear thinker and an able debater, he had made quite an impression on the country during his first term in Congress; neither he nor his friends had any doubt as to his early success, provided he was able to keep himself free from the thraldom of old habits.
A few old friends and political associates made up a purse to enable him to remove to the city with his family.

An office was taken and three rooms rented in a small house, where, with his wife and two children, one daughter in her fourteenth year, life was started anew.
There was no room for a servant in this small establishment even if he had been able to pay the hire of one.
So the new beginning was made.

A man of Mr.Ridley's talents and reputation could not long remain unemployed.

In the very first week he had a client and a retaining fee of twenty-five dollars.