Evening journal., 1913-07-23
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
HOw a Precious Relic Was
Put Into Good Shape
By HOnsn4

Colonel William JAY. grandson Of
John jay, one Of the great mtcllccts Of
the iust days of the republic. Is the sur.
,i,ng partner OF a law firm In whose
offices Aaron Burr had dess m the last
years Of his practice of the Jaw in New
York city.
Aaron Burr. after his sensational ca
reer following his duel with aieNandcr
Hamilton. his retirement from the VICE
presidency and his arrest upon the
charges of treason. settled down TO some
ten or twelve years of quiet practice OF
the law in New York city lie. dd not
care to establish large offices lie was
content with dcskioom in the oihces OF
one of the leading law firms OF the
United state, between 1870 and 1888.
Samuel llolI, now. prominent lawyer
ot New ) FORK State. was student in the
law offices OF thc firm of which Colonel
William JAY ls now the senior member.
"'l hero vas In the oliicesfOf this hrni,
said Mr. llon 10 me recently, IA desk
which was looked upon as a most inter
csting aud memorable relic. II con-
stantly revived traditions of Aaron Burr
At this desk WA, always placed the law
student who began TO rcHd law with this
iirnl. hi, predecessor at the dcsk having
been promoted, as the expression was, Ia
the desk which Indicated neat higher
rank in the office.
~ was an old fashioned desk of a
kind similar 10 those which were com
monty used by lawyers before lhc mod
crn rolling top desk with abundant pig
cnnholc~ had been invented There was
lid which. when the desk was opened
scrtc cd a- convenient shelf by lifting
the lid and placing IL back IN such man
ncr as to enclose the inferior.
"Ihc inside of this lid. ur That face of
, II which was exposed When ANY one was
writing upon it, was literally covered
! with names or initials. These mad been
( cut into the face of the lid Ivy tnosc who
were privileged 10 use the dcsk.
"Somc of these nnmc~ wcrr ui men
! who aiiclward brcumc distinguished as
American lawyers or IN public life. There
va- one nhmc in particular which was
always looked upon with great veuora.
ton. ID WIS that of Daniel Ncbsicr
9rd there was authentic Tradition that
10 Wa. curved into The lid 10y Webster
himself ,ef,cnl years after Aaron Burris
jenth. mNsclf ultcn saw the words
I Daniel Webster soncNhai deeply cut
into tl6s lid
"N h-l Que OF the Partners of the
firm dccidcd that hc would tikc the desk
sway and place il n his oWt huusc gu
y that he micht Show 10 a., relic OF
! Aarun burr's Inst days ~ a lawyer n
/ Nrw York city. Sonic part ol the dc.,
/ WIS ont oi repair and the lawyer sent
/ tor man skilled iu repairing articles oi
furniture and told him tuat hc desired
the desk Go he put into good shape - he
wanted 10 keep il as relic. The furul
! tutc man went 90 work. lie repaired The
desk aud he put un coat ~ two OF var
uish. 1hcu he called the lawyer into th,
room so hat hc might show hm the rc
paired desk Nhcn hc opened it md cx
posed the inner side of the hd The law
Ser exclaimed, What have YOU dow
with those names that W,so caNcd Il
This lid?'
5"'Nhy.' mid the man. 4 thought the.
were scratches that you wanted re
moved SO ! took q chi-cl aud cnt then
all out. Now You have smooth sur
face
My dear man, you have ohntcrate,
Daniel Nahstcrs uume. which he pr
there himself. Nou ba,r wircd cut tm
namcs of score or more ol men Wh'
have gained great reputation. Nou ho,'
ruined the desk in trying 10 make i
new. would rather have had that liz
without any other part of the desk thai
the complete desk restored as ,uu hav
done a. AT that can DO Now - 20 sa.
that thi, WIS once The uc-S ol Auroi
Burr
Copyright 1913. 10y T.. j. Edward;
NJ riglt-' tescrved1
Tomorrow Mr Edwards vim tel
~Whcu th" Vprc Peninsula oi ,iichiw'l
Went Begging