Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-24
III Z S @ z I. L a II z.

ForESsfc AsECDoTE.-The following
aueedote the writer had from venerable
Kentuckian, whose hoary locks were WIN
tened with the frosts OF many winters,
narsoual acquaintance Of the gallant Hero,
and who was an actor 10 some oil the sir
,,ns scenes of the times. We believe II is
not exiant.
There lived near Lexington very poor
widow, who by dint oil risid economy
amassed enough 10 purchase several pigs,
which she put into pen to iatten Tor The
support of herself and numerous family
When her pigs we're grown and iattened,
one of her neighbours upon slight claim
or nretence, went TO the old lasiy's sty de
hberateiy RACED it, drove her hogs oil,
slaughtered, and snugly deposited them 10
his own tub. The poor woman remon-
strated, but 10 vain, and not being able TO
incur the expense OF legal prosecution,
she was left without remedy. On quite
n pIeasant afternoon, in November, man
dressed in blanket coat and leggins With
a rifle, called al The humble dwelling, and
inquired for drink of water. She fur
pished him with gourd. which II IT cohld
not boast Of splendour, did OF cleanliness
AifSF Ht Ddu ftiitSDto tstb'1Nb ''''H -
draugbt from the homeDy cup. leaning opon
bis ,rusty rifle, he enqaIrcd where 'he "'i
ow lived who had been so basely robbed,
relating the circumstance OF the iheit.-~
The maternal tear that coursed down ihe
i5iur,d widows check, answered most
eloquen,l7. Dry up your tears, good NO
man. said the stranger, -" have no doubt
some one will assert 5our rights ana de
fend them" 20. no. said she, wiPins
away her tears" kpow ofBo lawyer but
Harry Clay that viii undertake suit
without a lee. and he has gone TO Con
press." fbe hunter still endeayored TO con
sole her, shonldered his rifle, aud followed
by bis faithful dog. soon was lost IN the
,soods. The case was duly instituted, but
hy croper process was removed TO dis,
INIT county by the defendant. When 1t
y4as called for trial, man with blanket
coat yas seen TO arise and address the
cour, thus, Your honors, aud gentlemen
of ibe jury, this is a case OF peculiar
characteristic case OF the widow aud The
orphan" After the testimony was exam'n
ed, which was very pointed, The blanket
Goa, again arose, aud after recapitulating
the evidence, very piiheically spoke oil
the labor and toll that poor widow had
undergone TO gain scanty pittanee Tor
helpless family, which soon awakened
universal sympathy in her favor, & caused
the sturdy jurors to drop their beads to
hide lurking tear; and The stern Judge, 1t
was said, was seen 10 dash an unweicome
messenger from his eye--ihen commented
nDou the punishment that ought 10 be the
doe of a william that would rob her and
leave her helpless babes TO sta've, alter
which he turned, with most piercing,
whitening look, upon the deiendeat. and
with mastery elciuence, held hlm up 10
the court as the very wretch that had
robbed the widow, and took the food from
the very mouths of her orphan children;
and what aggravated the crime still more,
she was so poor that be thought he could
rob her with IMMUNITY that no one would
espouse her cause aud protect her; but,
thank Heaven" said he," there is man
they call Joe Davies"
It's needless to add he gained hand
,one indemnifcation, which the widow
received with heartfelt g, latitude towards
her noble CHAMPION Lancaster Gazette.