But he had been growing in all this time--growing in mental stature; and growing in the confidence of all just men.

Judge Bigelow's interest in the mills, and in the new Bank, drew his attention so much away from his law cases, that clients began to grow dissatisfied, and this threw a great deal of excellent business into the hands of Wallingford, who, if not always successful in his cases, so managed them as to retain the confidence and good will of all who employed him.

He got the character in our town of a safe adviser.

If a man had a difficulty with a neighbor, and talked of going to law with him, in all probability some one would say-- "Go to Mr.Wallingford; he will tell you, on the spot, if there is any chance for you in Court." And he bore this character justly.

A thorn in the side he had proved to the three great mill owners, Judge Bigelow, Squire Floyd, and Ralph Dewey.