Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-01-24
HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT.

HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT.
A prominent New jersey lawyer
tells a story that possesses more
than local interest. 1t is a true
narrative of how one man, about
10 years of age, constituted him
self LlxOw Committee Of enc
and IN a simple but nevertheless
ingenious manner, practically
eradlcated au evil in one New
York Court which had grown to
proportions that seemed alarming.
1t was the court of Judge John T.
Icvlne, a brother of Washington
Irving. The Judge was considered
an upright Christian gentleman
of spotless reputation, and never
50 mach as a whisper had ever
been heard against his fair name.
TIe occurrence was the only
episode OF his life which put him
in anything approaching to a Qnes'
tiouable position, and to how great
an extent he WAS Innocent will
appear IN the story.
If was the rule in those DAYS
tlat every time the Judges signed
a paper they should receive a fee
Of 81. 1t remained the rule for a
great many years aiterward, and
1t still prevails IN some branches.
as Is well known. 1t meant that
1t cost 81 to have the judge write
his autograph. One day two pro-
minent New York lawyers were IN
Judge Irving's cOurt when be was
busily engaged in signing papers.
There was long line of lawyers
slowly fling IN front of his desk,
aul as each passed up his papers
he at the same time laid down a
corresponding number Of dollars.
The indge woald glance at the pa
pers, make a Scrawl on each, and
take up the next pack &c, the pile
Of greenbacks growing steady as
the line of lawyers thlnned out.
One of the TWO lawyers looking on
SAID to his companion:
81 have the highest respect for
the judges integrity, bnt I'm salts
fed he doesn't know halt the time
what he is signing. Why, watch
him; it is impossible for him to get
half an idea of what Is on the pa
per. lfhe examined each one close
ly he'd never get done. But he
should be more careful, neverthe.
less" The other lawyer was skep.
ticAI as to his friends opinion, an d
declared the judge had got the
signing of papers down to a
science, and caught at glance the
important sentence or phrase on
each.
Dwell, don't believe it," ex.
claimed the other. 'I feel sure
that, in spite of better intentions
that 81 fee acts as 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 re
turned with legal form signed by
the Sherl fl, aud which set forth
that on such ard such q day, at g
certain hour and in certain place
Judge Irving was to be hinged by
the neck until h9 should be dead.
The lawyer tEeD took bis place il
the line filing before the Judge:
desk. When it came his turn hC
held up his paper, folded between
| the fingers, in a nOnchaIant man
ner, and laid down his 81 with the
other hald, watching the judge
narrowly out of the c)raer of his
eyes.
His HJlor uIfO'ded tue paper
AMI harrielly plunged his pen II
the ink. There was a sputter anC
scrawl and Ja1ge living bat
signed his own death warrant
Without a word the lawyer tool
the document and pnt it ava!
carefully 10 his pocket. His com
panlOn, who had watched the per
formance with bated breath, cOult
scarcely believe bis eyes. Tba
plight the lawyer want to a socia
gathering, which Jadge Irwin wa
to attend. with tbs delth warran
IN his pocket. slate in the even