Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-15
A PROFESSIONAL SCAR.
BY AN OLD LAWYER .


Your kind letter, Harry, came duly to hand
aud you will be surprised to learn that care
less question of yours will draw forth enough
In answer to cover q sheet; "What caused
that scar on my temple?''
Vt is a professional scar, Harry; one that
have carried ever since my earliest practice
and although have now arrived at tolerable
old age, and nave many, many intimate friends,
it is most singular fact that you are the first
aud only person that ever inquired into its or
isin. L can tell you all about it, but must a.
void names and places, for the parties most
interested in the incident are yet living, and
AN under strong bonds of sccrcsy.
In the year, after passing through long
examination before grave judges and shrcwd
barristers, was pronounced proper qualified
person to appear before juries and courts for
others well as myself, and at once proceed
ed to large southern city, where, by mod
est little sign over the door of modest little
office, announced my readiness to commence
the practice of law. For three months wait
ed, but alas no business came, and / sat in
my Office on dreary night, at about eleven o.
clock, in this very comfortable position my
money gone entirely; my board bill was
TO be paid in the morning; and my rent the
day following; and absolutely feared to go
to my boarding house, and waited in what
seemed the forlorn hope that something in the
way of a fee might appear, either dropping
from the skies, suddenly appearing on my
desk. Outside, no step was heard; and as l
occasionally glanced thro' my window, the
I;,,ht bt-t tI,, .;,,l
would seemingly move me homeward but
would not go. A foot-step sounded in my en-
try; a second, and a third, and then a little
delicate knock. l compelled myself to say
.eCome i:,'' with 4 calm voice, although l eN-
pected to be instantly face to face with young
woman the door opened, and saw-an old
one.
had only time to move toward chair be-
fore she was in the centre of the room and
speaking
81 have no time to sit. Young man, you
are a lawyer: are you good for anything.
Ny insulted dignity was controlled by an ef-
fort, and 1 answered that l fattered myself
that possessed some talent for my profess
sion, or should not have chosen it.
"Well, well, no gas; can you draw paper 2"
Here again ventured to remark, that it de-
pended somewhat on its nature; but saw
from her impatient manner that she wanted no
trfing. Before | finished the sentence, she
interrupted me with fierceness Of manner ex-
ceeding her former rough one, saying,
al want will drawn quick hurriedly but
SO strong that all the dis in h-ll can't undo
it Can you do it ?'' And she fairly glarod at
me with impatiencc for my answer.
Now you know, Harry, that my legal edu-
cation was obtained entirely in surrogate's
office, and you may presume that on the law
and forms of last wills and testaments l felt
myself sufficiently posted up. 1 accordingly
assured her that could draw a will which,
though could not warrant it to pass the or
deal she mentioned, would, l was sure, be
proof against the efforts of all the lawyers in
Christcndom.
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 thou sand dollars for
your nights work ~ she exclaimed.
And. amazed and bewildcred as l was, l
found myself at the neighboring corner, step
Portable words, gone thousand dollars for
YOUR nights work 20 had ceased ringing in my
cars. Nv conductress followed me in, and
without orders we were ratified furiousiy along
the streets to the - House, then the largest no
tel in the city. My visions OF one Thousand
bright dollars kept my tongue bridled, ana
was led in silence up two fights OF stairs INTO a
suite OF rooms comprising parlor and TWO pea
rooms. The parlor, however, was occupied
by bed, in which lay an old and evidently
dying man. A servant WAS with him, but nc
left, upon motion from the hand ofmy com
panion, who approached the bed and said
al have an attorney here, Sir; shall he pro-
ceed ~
The old mans eyes frightened up, and, al
fer glariDg on me for a moment, he spoke
"Ifyou can draw my will, do it, quick now
tor mug save my breath