The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-07-30
HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT.
How u Gotham Judge Was Csasht
Mapping.

Gated an evil In one New York Court
which had grown to proportions that
seemed alarming. 1t was the court OF
Judge John T. Irving. n brother of
Washington Irving. The judge was
considered an upright Christian gen
tleman OF spotless reputation, and new
CT So much as whisper had ever been
heard against his fair name. The &C
Currencc was the only episode of his
life which put him in anything np-
preaching To n questionable position,
and To how great an extent he was In
nOcent will appear I'm the story.
IL was the rule In those days that
every time the judges signed paper
they should receive a Zee OF 81. 1t re
manned the rule for Il gre, many years
afterward, ana il still prevails in some
branches, as is well known. 1t meant
that it cost 81 10 have the judge write
his autograph. one day two prominent
New York lawyers were i'm Judge Try
ing's court when hc was husily cuEag
cd in signing papers. There was long
line Of lawyers slowly filing i'm front OF
his desk, and as each passed up his pa
perS Lee at the same time laid down
corresponding number of dollars. The
judge would glance at the papers, make
scrawl on each, and take up the next
package, the pile of grccnbaclls grow
Ing steadily as the line of lawyers thin
ned out. one Of the two lawyers lock
ing on said To his companion:
Il have the highest respect for the
judges integrity, but I'm satisfied he
doesn't know half the time what he is
signing Why, watch him; il is i'm
possible for him To get half an idea Of
what is on the paper. If he examined
each one closely he'd never get done.
But he should Ice more careful, never
thelrss.' The other lawyer was skcp-
teal as to his friends opinion. and de
clarcd the judge had got the signing of
papers down To a science, and caught
at glance the important sentence or
phrase on each
We'll, / don't believe it," exclaimed
the other. Il feel sure that. i'm spite
of better intentions that 81 fee acts rs
an incentive and causes his Honor to
slight his work, and I'm going to prove
what / say" With that he strobe out
OF the room and presently returned
with legal form signed by the Shcr-
iff, ana which set forth that on such
and such Il day. at n certain hour and
in certain place. Judge Irving was
TO be hanged by the neck until he
should be dead. The lawyer then took
his place in the line filing before the
judges desk. When it came his turn
he held up his paper, folded between
the fingers, in a nonchalant manner,
and laid down his 81 with the other
hand, watching the judge narrowly
out of the corner of his eyes.
His Honor unfolded the paper and
hurriodly plunged his pen in the ink.
There was a sputtcr and a scrawl and
Judge Irving had signed his own death
warrant Without a word the lawyer
took the document and put it away
carefully I'm his pocket. His compan-
ion, who had watched the performance
with hated breath, could scarcely be-
licvc his eyes. That night the lawyer
went to a social gathering, which
Judge Irving was 20 attend, with the
death warrant in his pocket Late in
the evening he found himself i'm a cor
ncr with the judge and realized that his
opportunity had come TO serve his war
rant.
Judge he began, 81 was watching
you signing papers to-day, and could
MT for the life of me understand how
YOU could read them all. DO you real
ly read Icm?'
"Why, certainly. It's a matter Of
habit, you know. I have acquired 1t
by years Of practice. / can at glance
detect the really important sentence or
word"
Don't you think that rather dan
gerous practice? Nightn't you put
your name to something you ought not
TOT"
con, Fly, nor
you don't think the dollar fec is an
incentive to a man to do the work
little more hurricdly than ne oughtT"
II can't answer for other mon. but
am sure i'm my own case the money
makes no difference"
"Wcll." said the lawyer. producing
the death warrant and folding fl I'm
such q manner that the name Of Judge
Irving only was visible, els that your
slgnaturcT'
cit looks like it,"
Examine It closely and tell me n Il
IS your handwriting"
The Judge put ON his glasses. stared
at the paper am instant and then dc.
clarcd 30 was his signature The law.
yer then uufoldcd The paper and hand.
od 90 to tine Judge The latter read &c
rrI turned crimson