Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-13
A LEGAL DIAGNOSIS.

Did you ever hear, Dick, that I had
turned physician, had developed good
practice, and seriously thought of en-
dowing a hospital p
These words were spoken by an emf
nent lawy er to an intimate friend of the
same profession, as they were enjoying
after dinner cigars and relating mutual
experience.
Why, no. I've heard, at rare in.
tervals. of the preacher practising, but
never anything so good of the lawyer.
How is il p
DO you remember Hardwood p
Julius Hardwood of college days?'
The same.'
That 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 millennium p
The very same
Good tell me about him. / haven't
heard word of him in years.
Settle back. then, Dick, and take it
easy. 'Tis long story and romantic
one.'
L was sitting In my office one day,
scowling over mass of evidence in as
muddy a case as you can we'll imagine,
when a rather well.dressed stranger
came in, and seeing me occupied, seat
ed himself quietly in the farthest corner
of the room.
"BIast him !! was my mental ejacula-
ton. He wore the clerical habit and
looked solemn. was neither in need OF
gbostly consolation, nor in the mood for
throwing out ballast to keep the spiritual
ship from sinking Istudied his profile
askance, and saw that it indicated the
lawyers natural enemy,-'If a>man-
smite-thee On-one- cheek ek-turn-tO.him-
the-other.also' sort of q man go delved
away, and paid no apparent attention to
him.
He was SO motionless and statue like as
he sat there that / fell to studying him,
when at length he turned slowly about
and bent his gaze full upon me. A slow
glimmering Of recollection dawned up
on noe, and the next moment 1 had
thrown down document and decision.
| had cleared the floor at two strides, and
grasped him by both hands.
"Judas; as sure as liveu you re-
member the pseudonym we gave him,
by virtue, I suppose. ofits complete con
trast with his character?D
| ''Why on earth didn'tyou speak, and
not sit there like block? How are
you? How are your wife and children
When did you arrive?'
My boisterous greeting fairly took
away his breath, but he soon regaineC
it, and answered each question separate
ly, laughing about wife and children. fol
he was bachelor A gleam of genuine
gladness lighted up his pale face.
II thought you must have forgotten
those days. John. and was more than
ever convinced of it when you maintain
ed such reserve, he said, quietly.
| Goodness, man, who could recognize
Julius Hardwood's boy-tace through al
that Troubadour blackness of moustacht
and beard? But they become you, Judas
and, on you, scarcely look unclericai.-
Off with overcoat and wraps, man.
''I fear you are very busy he said
g]apcing rather tirnidly at my piled-u
table. but looking wish to remain.
| mo, no You may take book till
get through small matter. and we vii
20 home together. You must meet my
good wife and see my various olive
branches.'
II should like to see them, John, in
deed, but am recluse. Really, you'll
have to excuse me-
''Delmonico's, then?'
''No, thank you. Ibeg psrdon, ms
dear brother, have something on my
mind have a few days to spend II
the city, and can take your most leisure
time; but really wish a little private
talk with you on a subject that concerns
me deeply.
''Can it possibly be a lawsuit asked
m yself. Some one has made him be-
lieve that he has been guilty ofencroach
ment Oh another's right, for he wou L
never act except in the defensive. HI
would give away all but his soul for tn
sake of peace :,
II am quite at liberty now,' said
thrusting my papers into drawer, viii
a sigh of relief, and pulling chair VI
close by his side
"Go on, Julius. I should really lik
to be of some service to you, my dea
fellow I said but seeing him look 81
terribly down about the matter, at