Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-09-08
THE LAWYERS sTDIAGNOSIS.-

"Did you ever hear, Dick, that had
turned physician, had developed good
practice, and seriously thought of en-
downing a rhospital?'
These words were spoken by an emf
nent lawyer to an intimate friend of the
same profession as they were ENJOYING
after-dinner cigars and relating mutual
q experiences.
- "Why no. I've heard, at rare inter-
vals, of the preacher practicing, but
never anything so good of the lawyer.
How is it?''
Do. you remember Hardwoodo''
Julius Hardwood, of college days?''
80 "The same.''
'tThat dear, sensitive soul who knew
nothing outside of books, but everything
inside from Egyptian hieroglyphics to
the laws of heredity, from the world
in embryo to the prospective millen-
nium?'
Sc The very same"
"Good, tell me about him. 1 hadn't
heard a word of him in years"
Settle back then, Dick, and take it
easy. IT'S long story and a romantic
one. 4uF
.5,'s was sitting in my office one day,
scOwling over q mass of evidence in as
muddy q case as you can well imagine,
. when a rather well-dressed stranger
came in, and seeing me occupied, seat
ed himself quietly in the farthest corner
of the room.
ssBlast him!' was my mental ejacu-
lation. He wore the clerical habit and
looked solemn. was neither in need
of ghostly consolation, nor in the mood
for throwing out ballast to keep the
Spiritual ship from sinking. I studied
his profile askance, and saw that it in
dictated the lawyers natural enemy. IF
man smite thee on one cheek turn to
him the other also, sort OF man, so l
delved away and paid no apparent at
tention to him.
He was SO motionless and statue-like
The sat there that fell to studying
him, when at length he turned slowly
about and bent his gaze full upon me.
ID A slow glimmering of recollection
dawned upon me, and the next moment
. I had thrown down document and deci-
sion, had cleared the floor at two strides
and grasped him by both hands.
ssJudas! as sure as / live!". (1ou
remember the pseudonym we gave him,
contrast with his characterD s5
= w ny I'll col Ill Aioh va opCaht uild
not sit there like blockP How are you?
How are wife and children? When did
You arrive?" OK
MY boisterous greeting fairly took
away his breath, but he soon gained it,
and answered each question separate
". laughing about wife and children,
for he was bachelor. A CLEAN of genu-
inc gladness lighted up his pale face.
"a s. thought you must have forgotten
those DAYS, John, and was more than
ever convinced of it when you main
tained such reserve" he said, quietly.
"Goodness, man." who could recog-
nize Julius Hardword's boy face thro'
ali that troubadour b1ackness Of mus
tache and beard? But they become you,
,.T,itIas. and, on you, scarcely look I'M
clerical. Off with overcoat and wraps,
man. ,.a- -
81 fear you are very busy" he said,,
ylancing rather timidly at my piled-up
fable. but looking wish to remain.
s.No. no. You may take a book till
ret. thro' with o small matter, then we
x;ll 90 home together. You must meet
NV GOOD wife and see my various olive
branches.
81 should like to see them, John. in
Hood. but am recluse. Really, you'll
have to excuse me-
uDelmonico's, them"
..No. thank you; I beg pardon, my
aaar brother, l have something on my
mind. I have few days to spend in
the city. and can take your most leisure
time: but I really wish little private
talk with you on subject that concerns
me deeply" ,...,
asred myself. "Some one has made him
; that he has been guilty of en-