Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-03
"A Select TaIe.
From the Knickerbockel
A PROFESSIONAL SCAR.
BY AN OLD LAWYER.

Your kind letter, Henry, came duly TO
hand and you will be surprised TO learn
that careless question Of yours will draw
forth enough 10 cover sheet: 'What eau
sed that scar on my temple q '' '
1t is professions! scar, Harry one that
I.have carried ever since my earliest prac-
lice; and although have now arrived at
tolerabe old age, and have many, many
intimate friends, it is most singular fact
that you are the first and only person that
inquired into its origin. lean tell you all
about it, but must avoid names and places,
for the parties most interested in the Incl
dent are yet living, and am under strong
bonds of secresy. .' ~. @~' "
lnthe year, after passing through
long examination before grave Judges
and shrewed barristers, / was pronounced
a properly qualified person to appear be-
fore jures and courts for others as well as
myself, and at once proceeded to a large
southern city, where by a modest little
sign over the door OF modest little office, |
announced my readiness, to commence the
practice of the law. For three months
waited, but alas! no business came, and
sat in my Office on dreary night, at about
eleven o'clock, insthis very comfortable
position my money was gone entirely
my board bill was 10 be paid in the morn
ing, and my rent on the day following /;
and | absolutely feared TO 90 to my board
ing-house, and waited in what seemed the
forlorn hope that something in the way Of
a fee might appear, either dropping from
the skies, or suddenly appearing on my
desk. Outside, no step was heard and as
| occasionally glanced through my win
dow, the fame OF the street-light, moved
by the wind, would seemingly move me
homeward; but l would not go. A foot
step sounded in my entry; second, and a
third, and more, but so light that my heart
beating prevented my counting them; and
then little delicate knock. ! compelled
myself to say 'Come in with calm voice,
although expected TO be instantly vis-a-vis
with young woman; the door opened,
and | saw-an old one.
es had only time to move toward chair
before she was in the centre of the room
and speaking. IT,
Il have no time TO sit. Young man you
are lawyer: are you good for anything!'
My insulted dignity was controlled by
an effort, and answered that l flattered
myself that possessed some talent for my
profession, or should not have chosen it.
well, well, no gas; can YOU draw a
paper @ .....t rt.
Here again ! ventured 10 remark, that it
depended somewhat on its nature, but !
saw from her impatient manner that she
wanted no trifing. Before finished the
sentence, she interrupted me with fierce
ness of manner exceeding her former rough
one saying t-5. -f
81 want will drawn quick hurriedly
but so strong that all the furies in h-ll
can't undo il Can you do itl' aud she
iairly glared at me with impotence for my
answer. 4.f. .... al ...-.r rt-
Now you know, Harry, that my legal
education was obtained entirely in sur
rosate's office, and you way presume that
on the law and forms Of last wills and ies-
taments | felt myself sufficiently posted up.
| therefore assured her that could draw a
will which, although could not warrant
It 10 pass the ordeal she mentioned, would.
| was sure, be proof against the efforts OF
all the lawyers 40 Christendom.
And now her manner changed from the
fierce and bold 10 the anxious aud hurried
'Come, then, qsick quick young man,
and you shall pocket one thousand dollars
for your nights work . she exclaimed.
And, amazed aud bewildered as was,
found myself at the neighboring corner
stepping into a hack, before the startling
but comfortable words, 'One thousand dol.
lars for your lights woTa had ceased
ringing 10 my ears. My eonduelress lol.
lowed me, aud wi,hou, orders We were
ratified furloaJy along the streets 10 the
- Housr, thea the largest held in the
city. My visions Of oae thousand bughI
dollars kept my tongue bFidled, aud Wa
led IN silence up two fights Of stairs inio 1
suit Of rooms. computing parloF and tvs
bedrooms The parloF however, was ee
cuplsd by bed, 10 which lay an old ans
evidently dying man. A sersani was viii
hlm, bal b. lsil, ppaa motion from ih'
hand u my companion, wh0 approached
ths bel and AID