Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-29
A Private Supper
Copyright, 1906. by R. Douglas. ]

concluded, and the party was about
adjourn to the card table in the libral
when the harmony prevailing was SUI
denly interrupted. A sixth man ente
ed the room unannounced and advan
ed to the table. He was a man abol
forty years old, with an iron jaw.
Gentlemen" he began, as all locke
at him interrogatlvely and as the Law
yer elevated his eyebrows in surpris,
Il owe you an apology for this lntel
ruption. The fact is l have been in TIL
habit Of dropping in here and there III
announced for the last ten years, an
1t has become sort of second natur
to me. The less fuss made over M
the better for my business. My occupa
ton is relieving my fellow men,"
! With that he poured himself out
glass Of wine and slipped it slowly an(
with evident satisfaction as he looked
around.
care we to understand" said thu
lawyer as he tOyed with his knife
that you are a burglar, robber o.
something of that ilkW
"Your perspicacity does you credit
smiled the unknown.
well, you are a nervy fellow" said
the lawyer as he wondered whether
| the thing was real or farce.
THANK you. We have to have nerve
in this business. AS you observe, /
clear away space here and place my
two guns on the table / shall have
to begin with you, Mr.. Blank, as the
host and ask you to she'll out. You are
not armed, and neither are any Of
your guests. AS for the servants. they
don't count. As n lawyer you cannot
fail to see that l have my case half
won at the start"
Don't play the fool here" cautioned
the lawyer as he Strengthened up in
his chair. "You have already laid
yourself liable to severe punishment"
Il will not dispute your knowledge
of the law, my dear sir, but catching
comes before hanging. l also request
you not to play the fool. In other
words, don't drive me to extremes.
You have Wad in your pocket ready
for the poker game. 1 will trouble
you for It,"
The lawyer glanced at his four
guests and saw that none Of them
would support him in being obstinate.
He took another look at the iron jaw
Of the stranger and then passed over
roll containing several hundred dol
lars.
Some of you may think need an
excuse for being engaged in this pro-
fession," said the stranger as he peck
eted the money and looked at each
guest in turn. LET me say that l am
simply following the lines laid down
by each and every one Of you.
Take the case of the host, for in |
stance. He is a great criminal law
yer. Lawyers engaged In enforcing
the law do not have summer homes
and bank accounts. He has made his |
fame in lodging and breaking the law
1t is the guilty man he always defends
and strives to pull through the meshes
Of the law. Years ago he cleared me
If criminal charge, knowing that l
must be guilty. He breaks the law
So do 1. The gentleman here on my
light Is, l believe, a doctor and cele-
orated In his profession. Doctor, come
lown with your dust"
The doctor obeyed, and the stranger
continued:
Doctor, your fees are eXOrbitant
You could reduce them one-half and
till make $4,000 year. You are an
xtortioner You take cases that you
now you cannot cure. That consti-
utes false pretenses. You refuse to
ay visits to poor people who cannot
ay your fee. That shows n spirit of
varice and selfshness. l am really
uilty of less in taking your money.
"The next gentleman l know to be a
anker, as | have had some dealings
18th his institution. Two years ago he
Deculated with the funds of his bank
nd came within an ace Of failure and
Ding to prison. Had he failed he
'ould have caused sorrow and suffer
lg in three or four thousand homes.
-e will kindly pass his wad.
"And the next gentleman, judging by
Is looks, is engaged in mercantile pur-
hts" continued the caller. "There are {
)nest merchants among us, but here j
e others who don't call 1t dishonesty
hen they sell you half cotton for all
DOL nor when the colors fade on you '
i'd the cloth ravels out. They call 1t
lsiness. It's trick Of the trade to I
ork off your goods any way you can. I
be other gentleman-I can't quite II
axe out his occupation. Will he kind y
announce itY L
"Pm a stOckbroker," he replied as Il
showed his money across the table. c
'Ah, l see. I'll take your diamond "
q as well. Now for your watch. Now I
r that ring on your finger I'm not 1
asping man, Mr.. StockbrOker, but 1t q
so seldom that q lamb catches a u
)lf that he ought to make the most of II
luQceO, you once sou -
: stock in gold mine which pro- u
ced nothing but sandstone and wood al
ucks. You are trying to make a mil d
n, and l am taking few leaves out u
your book" te
else?" asked the lawyer IS
the caller paused and looked around.
I think not. No, that is all. / will &c
p myself to another glass Of wine CT
d then bid you good night and good ID
k at poker. We are all in the same vi
at, you know, and 1t will be your 2i
n to hold me up next time. With II
: kindest regards to one and alp'- ca
lie picked up his pistols and backed sa
and softly closed the door after re
o, and those at the table looked at co
h other In a shamefaced way a lonT Oh
lie before the lawyer finally said: III
Well, gentlemen, the game Is still az
iting us" NJ. QUAD. ma
Mr.. -