Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-07-17
DAILY STORY
A PRIVATE SUPPER.

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 TO the table. He was 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-
ruption. The fact is have been in the
habit of dropping in here and there un-
announced for the last ten years. and
II 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 fellow men
With that he poured himself out a
glass of wine and slipped 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 a 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, L
clear away space here and place my
| two guns on the table. l shall have
| 10 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 lawyer you cannot
| 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. / also request
| you not TO play the fool. In other
| words, don't drive me to extremes.
| You have Il wad in your pocket ready
for the poker game. 1 will trouble
| you foS it,
The lawyer glanced at his four
| guests and saw that nonet of them
would support him in being obstinate
| He took another look at the iron jaw
| Of the stranger and then passedt over
| n roll containing several hundred dol
lars.
Some of you may think 1 need an
excuse for being engaged in this pro-
| fesSion," said the stranger as he peck
eted the money and looked at each
| guest I'm 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 Il 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.
| It is the guilty man he always defends
and strives to pull through the meshes
| of the law. Years ago he cleared me
| of n criminal charge, knowing that
| must be guilty He breaks the law.
: So do I. The gentleman here on my
right is, / believe, n doctor and cele-
DRAFTED 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 ana
still make $4,000 year. You are an
extortioner. You take cases that you
know you cannot cure. That consu-
tutes false pretenses. You refuse TO
pay visits to poor people Swho cannot
| nav YOUR fee. That shows\a spirit or
| avarice and selfishness. 1 am really
| guilty of less in taking your money
The next gentleman L know to be a
| banker. as | have had some dealings
| with his institution. Two years ago ne
| speculated with the funds of his bank
| and came within an ace of failure ana
going to prison. Had he failed ne
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 1t
| business. It's trick of the trade to
work off your goods any way you can.
The other gentleman-I can't quite
make out his occupation. Will he kind
~ announce it?'
I'm a stockbroker," he replied as
he showed his money across the table.
"Ah, 1 see. I'll take yotfr diamond
pin as we'll. Now for your watch. Now
for that ring on your finger. I'm BOT a
grasping man, Mr.. Stockbroker, but 1t
is SO 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 mil
lion. and I am taking few leaves out
Of your book
Anything else?" asked the lawyer
as the caller paused and looked around
II think not No. that is all. will
help myself to another glass Of wine
and then bid you good night and good