The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-08-22
A Private Supper
[copyright. IL, by R. pouglas.l


ed the room unannounced and advanc.
ed to the table. He was a man about
forty years old, with an iron jaw.
Gentlemen" he began, as all looked
at him interrogatively and as the law
yer elevated his eyebrows in surprise,
Il owe you an apology for this inter
ruption. The fact 10 4 have been in the
habit OF dropping In here and there I'M
announced for the last ten years, Rnd
1t has become a sort OF second nature
TO me. The less fuss made over me
the better for my business. My occupa-
ton u relieving my fellow men"
With that he poured himself out a
glass Of wine ana slipped It slowly and
with evident satisfaction as he looked
around. Nl
''Are we to understand" said the
lawyer as he toyed with mis- knife,
that you are burglar, pobber or
something Of that ukT'
Your persplcacity does you credit
smiled the unknown.
We'll. you are a nervy fellow" said
the lawyer as he wondered whether
the thing was real or a farce.
Thank you, We have to have nerve
In this business. AS you observe, !
clear away a space here and place my
two Ruhs' 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 a lawyer you cannot
fail to see that have my case half
won at the start"
Don't play the fool hefet" cautioned
the lawyer as he Strengthened up In
his chair. ''Yoti have already laid
yourself liable to severe punishment"
II WIN not dispute your knowledge
Of the law, my dear sir, but catching
comes before hanging. I also request
you not to play the fool. In other
words, don't drive me to extremes.
You have a wad in your pocket ready
for the poker game. l VIII 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 I 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 am
simply following the lines laid down
by each and every one Of you.
flake the case Of the host, for in
stance. He 10 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.
II IL the guilty man be always defends
and strives to pun through the meshes
OF the law. Years ago be cleared me
OF q criminal charge. knowing that i
must be guilty. He breaks the law.
30 do I. The gentleman here on my
right ls. believe. doctor and cele-
brated In his profession. Doctor, come
down with your dust"
The doctor obeyed, and the stranger
continued:
spoctor. your fees are exorbitaht.
You could reduce them ons-half and
stili make $4,000 Q year. You are an
extortioneF. You take cases that you
know you cannot cure. That eonsti-
tutss false pratsnsss. You refuse to
pay 'visits 20 poor people who cannot
pay your fee. That shows spirit Of
avarics and selnshness. I am really
guilty Of less IN taking your money.
sThs next gentleman I know 10 be a
banker, az I have had some dealings
with HE institution. Two years ago be
speculated with the funds Of his bank
and came within an ace OF failure and
going to prison. Had he failed he
would have caused sorrow and suffer
ing IN three or four thousand homes.
He viii kindly pass his wad.
"And the next gentleman, Judging by
his looks, 10 engaged In mercantile pur-
suits" continued the caller. There are
honest merchants among Us. but there
are others who don't call 1t dishonesty
when they sell you half cotton for all
wool nor when the colors fade on you
and the cloth ravels out. They call II
business, tia a trick Of the trade to
work on your goods any way you can
The other aentleman-I can't quite
make out his occupation. WIN he kind.
~ announce TT"
I'm stockbroker," he replied as
he showed his money across the table.
"Ah, see. I'll take your diamond
pin as well. Now for your watch. Now
for that ring on your finger. I'm not a
grasping man. Mr. Stockbroker, but II
Is 50 seldom that lamb catches a
wolf that he ought to make the most of
the opportunity, Indeed. you once sold
me stock In a gold mine which pro.
duced nothing but sandstone and wood.
chucks. You are trying to make a mil,
lion. and I am taking a few leaves out
Of your book"
Anything elser' asked the lawyer
as the caller paused and looked around.
A. ~