Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-04

in the village. A large number Of people were
crowded round the door of the inn. Horses of
all sizes, colors and conditions, whose equip
ments were as various as themselves, were tied
TO the branches OF the forest trees that still grew
upon the public square. The occasional discharge
OF rifle indicated that some of the company were
"cdtting the CENTRE" for half pinfs: while
others, who had "the best quarter nags in all
Nentuck," were prancing them up and down the
| streets. The conversation of those around me
induced me to believe that the Court was holding
its usual session, in this seat of backwoods JUS
tice, and had doubt renamed, the stentorian
voice of the Sheriff, issuing from the door of
log school-house, with the usual "Oh yes! oh
yes! oh yes" must have have satisfied me that
general settlement of the rights of mean and
ftun,, was about to take place. | felt curiosi-
ty to witness this scene, and having disposed of
my portion of corn bread and bacon. which found
at table surrounded by promiscuous throng
OF jurors, witnesses. suitors, lawyers, indictes.
spectators and country officers. | concluded to
spend the little time l had to remain, in per-
sonally viewing the dispensation of justice in SO
rude temple.
The house was Of a single story, built of logs,
uhhewed The Judge was elevated on small
plank frame, little raised on the puncheon floor.
ne CicIh was pidCcu at Il SUidii tdUle uUeCuy
before hum. The members of the bar were
seated around on temporary benches, made Of
rough planks, placed upon blocks Of wood
but could not be distinguished by their appear
ance, from the people who sat with, or stood
around them. The usual forms and ceremonies
Of opening Court ere gone through with Il &C.
lerity and precision tina. would have astonished
a Westminster lawyer.
The first case on the civil docket was an action
Tor SANDER. brought by father, an old soldier
and early setter-as guardian and next friend,
for words falsely and malciousy uttered, pub.
lished and spoken by the defendant, of aud con-
cernlng' the plaintiffs daughter, lovely girl OF
about seventeen. On the calling OF the cause, a
PERSONS name was mentioned which | did not
distinctly hear; there was hustle in the crowd;
aud after few minutes of pushing and elbow
ing. an individual appeared who announced that
he was ready to proceed as counsel for the pain
tiff He was tall, athletic man, of about IS
years of age-witha fine, manly and intelligent
cOuntenance-dressed in hunting shirt of deep
blue, trimmed with yellow fringe, his face bore
those indubitablc marks of genius, and those ira.
ces of study and reflection that cannot be mistak-
en-; while his fine form bore evidence equally
strong, of hablual fatigue and exposure to the ell
ements.
pass over the incidents of the trial the evil
dcnce which fully sustained the plaintiff, and left
the pretty client of the buckskin lawyer, pure &
spotlcss as the driven snow-and several speech
cs, which, though strong and forcible, did not
strike me as extraordinary. During all this, the
manner of the stranger in the hunting shirt was
distinguished by little else than an appearance
of indifference; but when he arose to make con-
Guiding address to the jury, every eye was fixed
on him-while the deep SILENCE, the suppressed
breathing, and the eager looks of the audience
attested that sense of the presence of supe-
rior mind pervaded the whole assembly. Even
that rough and miscellaneous crowd composed,
Of men, some sober, some half sober, and some
not sober at all-was at once awed into silence.
The orator commenced in low tone Of voice and
recapituated the evidence, in style of coloqu'
al brevity and plainness-yet, even IN doing this,
there as something about him that convinced
the spectator that he was more than an ordinary
man. But when he began to warm and rise with
his subicct-when the fire began TO Ilumine his
eve, and his voice sweled out into its fullest tones
when every sentence was filled and rounded
with rich thought and richer angua$e-when ar
oument and satire persuasion and invectirc, burst
from him in rapid alternative, the orator stood
confessed in all his powers. lie spoke OF the
beauty, the dclicucy, and the amiahiiity OF his
fair clent-of the helplessness of woman, anu
the sacre,lness Of female characterize descrIb-
ed hor parent as an aged warrior. now trembling
on the brink of the grave-and OF the traducer
he sDoke-I canaot tell how-but all who heard
him shrunk and tremblcd. under The fierce, bit
ter and overwhelming philippe of the indignant
advocate. When he finished, the success OF
his effort was shown BY triumphant verdict from
the jury, and by the Indignation, the tears, and
the at CARNATIONS of the audience, who rushed
from the house. when the orator sat down, as II
Unable to suppress their feelings.
! followed them out. The charm was broken;
the people had resumed the use of their own Ia
cuities. and were now collected, IN groups. Pass
ing little party heard one say:
odd YOU ever hear fellow get such skin
nings' :,
alt was equal to any campfire" remarked
another.
! THAT'S true; and we'll he deserved it, add
! ed third, there no too ,cays about it"
..Can you tell me-" said |. addressing one OF
them, who leaned in his gun, while he wiped his