The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-02-10
From the Knickerbocker.
A Professional Scar.
BY AN OLD LAWYER,

lour hlhu ietWE, marry, came duly tC
hand and you will be surprised to learr
that careless question of yours will draw
forth enough in answer to cover sheet -
" What caused that scar on your temple q
1t is professional scar, Harry one that
l have carried ever since my earliest prac.
tice, and although have now arrived at a
tDlerably old age, and have many intima te
friends, it is most singular fact that you
are tie first and only person that ever in
qnired into its origin. l can 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 secrecy.
In the year -, after passing through a
long examination before grave judges and
shrewd barristers, | was pronounced pro-
perly qualified person to appear before
juries and courts for others as we'll as
myself, and at once proceeded to large
southern city, where, by modest little
sign over the door of a modest little office,
announced my readiness to commence the
practice of the law. For three months ]
waited, but, alas no business came AS
sat in my Office on dreary night, at about
eleven o'clock, in this very comfortable po-
sition. my money all gone, my board bill was
TO be paid in the morning, and my rent the
day following; and absolutely feared to go
70 my boarding house, and waited in what
seemed TO me the forlorn hope that some
thing in the way of fee might appear
either by dropping from the skies, or sudden
ly appearing on my desk. Outside no step
was heard; and as occasionally glanced
through my window, the fame of the street
lamp moved by the wind. would seemingly
move me homeward but would not co.
A foot-step sounded in my entry; a second
and third and more, but so light that my
heart beating prevented my counting them !;
and then delicate knock. | compelled my
self to say Come in,' with a calm voice,
although expected to be instantly uis-a- uiS
with young woman the door opened, and
saw-an old one.
had only time to move towards chair
b,fore she was in The centre of the room and
speaking
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 flattered myself
that possessed some talent for my profes-
sion. or should not have chosen il.
We'll, well, no gas; can you draw a
paper?"
Here again ventured to remark, that il
depended somewhat on its nature, but saw
from her impatient manner that she wanted
no triflng. Before finished the sentence,
she interrupted me with fierceness of man
ner exceeding her former rough one, saying
"I want will drawn; quick hurriedly !!
but so strong that all the imps in Hades
can't undo it. Can you do it p and she
fairly glared at me with impatience for my
answer.
Now, you know, Harry, that my legal edu-
cation was obtained entirely in surrogates
Office, and you may presume that on the law
and forms of last wills and testaments felt
myself sufficiently posted up. Iaccordingly
assured her that could draw will which,
though | could not warrant il to pass the
ordeal she mentioned, would, | was sure be
proof against the efforts of all the lawyers in
Christendom.
And now her manner changed from the
fierce and bold to the anxious and hurried.
"Come, then, quick quick! young man,
and you shall pocket one thousand dollars
for your nights work. she exclaimed.
And amazed and bewildered as was, |
found myself at the neighboring corner, step
ping into hack, before the startling but
comfortable words, "One thousand dollars