Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-15
EyIIlZR7llIRl


time called Minors Law Building" and
that some Of the leading lawyers OF
Richmond had their offices within its
walls.
1t was erected by l1r. B. Il. Minor for
the accommodation Of lawyers and his
Southern Literary Messenger. when the
Messenger and the Wing had TO vacate
the old Museum. which was torn down
10 give place to the State courthouse,
that was burned the night of the evaeu-
alton. The Law Building escaped the con-
fagration. 1t is the succeed portion OF
the Davis House.
Thinking Of these things. an incident
has been recalled TO my mind which has
caused a good deal Of merriment TO me
and others. and may be interesting to
your readers. Years ego. among the law
yers who had their Offices In the above
mentioned building was Robert ID. Ward,
well known as teacher. writer. and useful
cuid nunc. The Governor OF Arkansas
was a first cousin OF AIR Wards. and
also one Of his pupils. When that Dig
nitary was in Richmond he treated Air.
ward with amectionate regard. Mr..
Wards Office was the rendezvous Of some
brilliant men. lie suffered a severe stroke
OF Paralysis, which confined him % his
bed for six months, and then forced bin
to use crutches for n year / have heard
him speak OF the kindness Of which he
was the recipient from many Of the peo-
pie in our city. but especially would he
dwoll upon the attention paid him by his
lawyer friends.
Who among US has not heard OF the
brilliant Marmaduke Johnson. Familiarity
called by Dir. Ward "Old Duke" They
were great friends, and rare Jokes aid
they tell upon each other. or the one OF
which i am cognizant l leave to your
readers 10 decide upon whom the joke
rests
Tho most welcome visitor 70 Mr.. ward
during his sickness was his sister gem
tie lady. who came daily 20 see that no.
thing was lacking for his comfort. 1t was
at the time of one Of her visits that
whilst the boy was pouring coal into the
stove In the next room, she and her
brother were RECALLED with a flow OF
strange language emanating from tnat
room She thought IL proceeded from the
cOlored boy. who was angry because he
had 10 do the work: and feeling 1t her
duty to rebuke such wrong speaking
said: Robert, that Is a very profane
boy you have. You should reprmand him,
and II nc continues 10 use such language,
discharge him"
Mr.. Ward. with a merry twinkle, re-
piled: Never mind that boy, sister he
does not always talk in that way. He is
a very smart boy, and do not think
shall get rid Of him.
The night pervlOus Mr.. Johnson had
been to a banquet and that very often
makes ono feel badly the next day. Al
any rate. it had that effect upon Mr..
Wards friend, "Old Duke" He came into
Words nNfnq 9lgIf HDTIT before
his sister arrived and said: Bob, 1 feel
rather 'shalSy,' I believe I'll take a mar
on your bed" Bob was glad to have even
a sleeping friend TO break the mOnOtony
Of his confinement, and replied: Duke
there is a bed I'm the adjoining room
make yourself at home
Mr.. Ward had a rather shrewd convic-
ton that il was not the colored boy
whose vehement explosives had so Of
Tended his sister. but as he did not wish
10 interrupt her visit, left her TO her own
idea.
This sister was great talker," and
considered n very interesting one. That
morning her visit was unusually long
Even after the boy had replenished the
stove did she continue TO hear "d-n II
d-n it," i'm a smOthered voice. Again and
again did she object 10 her brothers re-
tanning such wicked servant. But ne
invariably changed the subject, and her
visit ended.
After she had gone Dir. Ward called Il
Johnson and told him how sorry he was
that his boy had given him 50 much an
noyance. "Your bOyi" said Duke, u
have not heard any boy. only one thing
have / heard. and that without ceasine
for at least two hours. and that was a
woman's tongue-the longest and most
constant ever have heard"
When Mr. ward thus found out how
matters really stood. he thought the joke
was too good 10 be kept to himself The
next day when his sister called she re-
minded him Of the shocking language
which she had overheard uttered by ms
colored boy. and there was in her eyes
an expression Of hope that he was soina
TO tell her that he had discharged the
how. He said: Eyes, / certainly do re-
member the language which you ascribed
TO that boy. But. sister, Duke Johnson
was I'm the next room at the time Of your
last visit and he was simply expressing
himself because he was interrupted IN
post-banquet and needed nap by wo-
mans loquacity.'
When the meaning Of the whole hing
I'm all its phases. banquet and ALL con-
viewed UENll 10 lfA A+AAAhf CIV N'tAAN' 49,
brother i'm his pcals OF hearty laughter,
and ever afterwards il was a joke DC
tween them. Whenever she was very
fluent. he would ask her if she remembere'
that profane office boy. whom she wanted
him 10 discharge. This never failed 10 be
a wholesome check upon her mode OIL
conversing.
This is only one of the bits of fun con-
nected with tile Law Building. but l. all
the anecdotes told and enacted by the
LAWYERS who frequented it and ofhcel
I'm il could be collected they woul !
make a volume replete with humor' ana
as full of interest as the published works
of anv Of our present humorists.
Those old lawyers are nearly all aeaG;
their offices were converted into hotel,
and now new rooms are 10 be arranged
for younger men. But the memory OF
those who are gone will linger In ne
hearts Of those who knew and loved
them.
.To the living We offer flowers Of praise
To the dead noble shafts we raise,
our loyalty to prove"
louise RFINS JONES.