The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19
A STRIKE LED TO
n HIS FORTUNE
County Lawyers One Night Ap.
Pearanee as Marks in 'Uncl:
Toms Cabin"

They we're talking about the strike dox,
at the Lawyers Club last Tuesday when
one OF the company, now an ex-Judga toH
this story.
1T was a strike that decided my destiny.
I was a verdnnt sprig Of the Law in a county
seat Of what we now call the Middle WeSi
Nv shlngle had creaked in the winds Of
dreaTy winter until It had lost it, shap4.
and not a client had called. ! ,ore,av
that the time was near at hand when
should have to bolster my credit with nv
landlord Of leave.
a strolling Uncle Toms Cabin COMPANY
came TO town in search Of food and res,
and persuaded the Sheriff to let them play
In the court house for three nights. Ia
the afternoon before the first PERFORMANCE
the manager Of the company clambered
up the rckety stairway which led 10 ny
office and informed me that one Of the
members Of his company had struck.
He wanted to know II there was any
law which would compel the fellow 70 act.
While trying TO think Of some statute
that would cover the case asked the man.
aRer what part the recalcitrant had PLAYED
He replied that it was Marks, the lawyer.
Before l had collected my Thoughts tho
manager added
- don't care so much about forcing
him to do the part, If could get anybody
TO take his place, for he's the poorest stick
in the company. He couldn't even play
the part of one of the bloodhound,
Il then inquired how much Of a pan
Marks was / had never seen the nav
but once, and | couldn't recall any character
in the cast except TOpsg
1 reckon there is nobody in your town
said the manager, who could play the
part
for a good man. he replied that II was his
custom TO pay on shares after the box Office
receipts were counted. He said that H1sks
had made 81 so the last night he PLAYED,
but that he had taken out a. much as $50
on several occasions.
After further consultation | agreed 10
do the act. In order TO work up a good
house l did little press agent stunt on the
side. | suggested that he get out some
handbills announcing that young lawyer
Of the town had volunteered to play the
part OF Marks.
sThe old court house was crowded
Curiosity in the town was on uptoe to see
the LAWYER MY makeup would have
concealed my identity at a masquerade.
/ had rehearsed my part for two hours
the first work / had done, by the way,
since l opened my shop.
But ! was not acquainted with the dog
in the company. When / came on the dog
got loose and the part he played in trying
TO disarrange my umbrella was not IN the
play. In fighting him on a part Of my
disguise was removed and ] stood before
the audience, revealed.
The house howled with delight
went on with my part and got all the
applause. The audience waited for me
After the show was over the manag
handed me IS, the first money ] had earned
in the town. He offered me a guarantee
of IS for the next night il | would appear
and promised 70 tie up the dog
But had had enough | returned to my
office. The next day I did some law bust
ness; Il kept coming my way and lnsld'
of a year had more than ] could do,
a few years later became prosecuting
attorney, and then / went on the bench
served three terms, retired, and cam
East In a way, | never hear Of stink
that I do not feel inclined to sympathi1
with IL A"