Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/78

 I watched how they did it. And havin' a feeling, as my good old mither in Scotland would put it, that I was foreordained to get smashed—I began to kind of study this damage law by myself, and decided just about what I'd do if the time ever came.

"It did. One afternoon in the bottom of a ship my arm got hit from behind by the end of a big mahogany log.' He paused for a moment, then he added slowly, 'When I come to, down on the dock, I jest kept my eyes shut and shouted, "I won't sign anything!" Being somewhat frivolous-minded from the arm, which was pounding inside like twenty pile-drivers, I made the same remark to the ambulance man, and again to the hospital nurse when I come out of the ether that night. Then I got almighty sick. But when the lawyer arrived the next day, my legal mind was ready.

"'How much for my arm?' I asked. That started him talking and showing his long lawyer paper. At last he pulled out fifty dollars, and said they were mine if I'd sign and 'have no more trouble at all.'

"'"No more trouble at all," I said, speaking sad, "with a family, and no arm to work with, and fifty dollars to live on?"

"'Then, as he looked down on me in the bed, his face got lighted by hope, faith, and charity; he told me how sorry he was. But he said I'd been careless—in the eye of the law.

"'"This eye of the law," I remarked, "is a just eye—for me and the Ship Trust alike."

"'"Tries to be," he said.

"'"Tis a kind eye for my wife and kids," I remarked.

"'"Tries to be," he said, looking sorry.

"'"And if I don't sign, and sue you in court for five thousand, it'll be a slow eye."

"'"Tries to be," he began,—but he grinned. "Your case wouldn't even be called for a year," he said, looking sorry.