Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-07-11
Va !. Private !: il J, Supper.
Copyright, 1906, by r. Douglas.]

Tho 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
ed the room unannounced and advanc-
ed Id 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,
II owe you an apology for this inter-
rupt1on. The fact is have been in the
habit Of dropping in here and there IN
announced for the last ten years, and
it has become sort Of second nature
to me. The less fuss made over me
the better for my business. My occupa-
ton Is relieving my fellow men,"
With that he poured himself out q
glass Of wine and sipped it slowly and
with evident satisfaction as he looked
around.
Are we to understand" said the
lawyer as he toyed with his knife,
that you are burglar, robber or
something of that ilk?'
''Your perspicacity does you credit"
smiled the unknown.
"Well, you are 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 a space here and place my
two guns on the table. I shall have
to begin with you, Mr.. Blank, as the
host and 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 a 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 viii 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. I 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
4 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 pock-
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.
Take the case Of the host, for in
stance. He Is 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
Of criminal charge, knowing that I
must be guilty. He breaks the law.
SO do I. The gentleman here on my
right is, 1 believe, doctor and cele-
brated in his profession. Doctor, come
down with your dust"
The doctor obeyed, and the stranger
continued:
doctor, your fees are exorbitant.
You could reduce them one-half and
still make $4,000 year. You are an
extortioner. You take cases that you
know you cannot cure. That consti-
tutes false pretenses. You refuse to
pay visits to poor people who cannot
pay your fee. That shows spirit of
avarice and selfshness. am really
guilty Of less in taking your money.
1.-The next gentleman know to be a
banker, as l have had some dealings
with his institution. Two years ago he
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 will kindly pass his wad.
"And the next gentleman, Judging by
his looks, is engaged in mercantile pur-
SUITS" continued the caller 'There are
honest merchants among us, but there
are others who don't call it 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 It's trick Of the trade to
work of your goods any way you can
The other gentleman-I can't quite
make out his occupation. Will he kind
IL announce 1t?'
I'm a stockbroker," he replied as
10 showed his money across the table.
"Ah, I see. I'll take your diamond
pin as well. Now for your watch. Now
FOR that ring on your finger: Pm not q
Grasping man, Mr.. Stockbroker, but II
10 so seldom that a lamb catches q
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 am taking few leaves out
Of your book"
Anything else?' asked the lawyer
10 the caller paused and looked around
Il think not. No, that is all. will
help myself to another glass Of wine
+ and then bid you good night and good
luck at poker. We are all in the same
+ boat, you know, and it will be you
turn to hold me up next time. Witt
my k1ndest regards to one and air. =:
:. He picked up his pistols and backed
!. out and softly closed the door aftel