The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-20
A Private Supper


1t was to he a private little supper
with Il game of poker aftcrward.
The guests arrived in due season, the
supper was fingered over and at length |
concluded, and the party was about to
adjourn TO the card table in the library
when the harmony prevailing was sud
denly interrupted. A sixth man enter
cd the room unannounced and advance
ed to the table. lie was a man about
forty years old. with an iron jaw.
"Gentlcmcn, he hcgfn, as all looked
at him intcrro-a,ivc y and as the law
yer elevated his eyebrows in surprise.
II owe you an apology for this inter
ruption. Tho fact is | have bee in the
habit of dropping in here and there I'M
announced for the last ten years, and
it has become Il sort of second nature
to me. The less fuss made over me
the better for my business. My occupa-
ton is relieving my fc.l,w men,
With that he poured himself out a
glass of wine and s;ppcl it slowly and
with evident satisfaction as he looked
around.
lawyer as he toycl with his knife,
that YOU are a burglar, robber or
something Of that ilk:''
Your perspicacity does YOU credit
smiled the unknown
well, you are Il nervy fellow" said
the lawyer as he wondered whether
the thing was real or a farce
aINl,o nj. 1,n,, to he,
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 ard ask YOU to shell out You are
not armed. and neither are any Of
your guests. AS for the servants, they
don't count. AS lawyer you cannot
fail to see that 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
II will not dispute your knowledge
Of the law, my dear sir, but catching
comes before hanging. | 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. 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 ovel
Il roll containing several hundred dol
lars
Some of you may think l need al
excuse for being cnga gcd in this pro
fession,' said the stranger as he peck
eted the money and looked at eacl
guest in turn. Let me say that | an
simply following the lines laid down
by each and every one of YOU.
Take the case of the host for i'll
stance lie is 4 great criminal law
yer Lawyers engaged in cnforcin.
the law do not have summer home
and bank accounts. He has made hi!
fame in lodging and breaking the law
1t is the guilty man he always defends
and strives to pull through tho mcshe
of the law Years AGO he cleared III,
of IA criminal charge. knowing that
must be guilty. He breaks the law
right is. believe, Il doctor and celc
brated in his profession. Doctor, COM
down with your dust
The doctor obcycd. and the strange
continued:
Doctor your fees are eNorbtant
You could reduce them onc-half an,
still make $4,000 year You are al
eNtortioner. You take cases that yO'
know you cannot cure. That const
tutcs false pretcnscs. You refuse t
pay visits to poor people who canno
pay your fee. That shows Il spirit 0
ava,ice and selfishncss. | am reall
guilty of less in taking your money.
1.-The next gentleman | know to be
banker, as | have had some dealing
with his institution. Two years ago h
specialized With the funds of his ban
and came within an ace Of failure an
going to prison. Had he failed h
would have caused sorrow and suffer
ing in three or four thousand home:
He will kindly pass his wad.
And the next gentleman. Judging b
his looks, is engaged in mercantile pul
suits" continued the caller. There AZ
honest merchants among MS, but ther
are others who don't call it dishonest
: when they sell you half cotton for a
wool nor when the colorS fade Oh yo
and the cloth ravels out. They call
) business It's Il trick of the trade
work off your goods any way YOU can
) The other gentleman can't quit
/ make out his occupation. Will he kin,
ly announce it?'
I'm stockbroker," he replied 8
he showed his money across the table.
"Ah, see. I'll take your damon
5 pin as well. Now for your watch. No
9 for that ring OH your finger. I'm not
5 grasping man, Mr.. Stockbroker. but
is so seldom that Il lamb catches
. wolf that he ought to make the most {
the opportunity. Indeed, you once sol
| NM cfnnl, IN uoJI nina which mr.