Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-06-17


and was conducted with spiritless in
difference to results that antagonized
his clients, and repealed many litigants
who would have sought his counsel.
He usually contented himself with such
work as drawing up unimportant legal
instruments, with now and then a
search through the records for an alb
stract of title. He had no positive vices,
but possessed the father of many in his
lack of ambition.
One day Smith sat alone in his Office,
d small, musty, back room, which the
sun rarely noticed. His gaze passed
over his untidy desk and centered upon
the wall, where break in the plaster
ing exposed the lath, He was appar-
emily in profound meditation, but in
reality his mind was unoccupicd and in
that wholly restful state which charac-
tcrzed most of his waking moments.
He never even dreamed except when
he slept. His worn, careless attire,
his Struggling hair and beard, and his
listless, unseeing eyes, gave him a
musty appearance in dismal harmony
with the atmosphere of the room.
Upon the desk before him were some
blank deeds, some sheets of legal cap
amlessly covered with his sprawly
writing, an opened law book, an ink
stand with a half-inch of dried ink in
the bottom, and some old pens, stiff
and corroded. Ink had been profusely
despatched over the whole, and it was
further covered with heavy layer of
dust A cockroach ran in and out of
the inlIstand, apparently enraged that
the customary suicidal facilities were
not afforded him.
The repose of Smiths mind was dis
turhed at this point by the quiet en-
trance of young man who wore high
hat and carried black portfolio under
his arm. After IA rapid survey of the
room and its occupant, he dotted his
tile and approached Smith with digni-
fed Difference.
This is Mr.. John Smith, believe"
Smith aroused himself and nodded a
doubtful assent.
"Jones is my name, Mr. Smith," con-
tinued the young man, in an easy, con-
versational tone: II am the associate
editor of the American Biographical
Magazine. You have, of course, heard
of our work, and doubtless know some
thing of its purposes and scope. We
are at present dealing with the repre-
sentative professional and business men
of New iIampden, giving them, in a
biographical way, the prominence
which their achievements merit, Now,
your name, judge, was mentioned to me
by DR.. Brown, as a man whose history
would be of intense interest, not only here
but abroad, We had intended to treat
special point of it; he says: You see
Smith, by all means; your work won't
be complete without him He says:
If I'm going into this thing-and
wouldn't be left out of it for good deal
why, Smiths got to go in, too""
al don't believe ! care" began
Smith, in an Intellectual voice; but he
was interrupted,
"Of course, judge, as to the many
third rate biographical publications, nc
prominent man who has a true sense OF
dignity will allow his name to figure in
their pages. They are purely CONNER
cial affairs-you buy as much space a,
you want. But, let me tell you, Judge,
and he drew chair to Smiths side
and rested one hand on Smiths knee
THAT this work of ours Is not for the
masSes-it's on higher plane. We
carefully avoid those unpriucipled mer
who are constantly seeking notorictv
Why, Judge, if you did not occupy the
high place that you do to-day, and yor
were to come to us and offer us Ten
H'NsHd dg20rs for such biography n,
VIC now propose to give YOU without
price we should refuse your offer, sir
yes; tir. Here the associate editor
mopVed his forehead with his hand1er
chief, and Smith felt a glow OF right
eous pride, in rejecting that he haC
never remotely contemplated such s
corrupt proceeding. lie really felt h,
was uttcr.ug a modest lie when h,
said: