The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-06-01

of the poor Deacon, who had not once doubt
ed hut that the merchants money had
been promptly returned and the bond can.
eeled. Presenting there must be some
mistake in the matter, he resisted payment
and an action vas instituted to enforce The
demand. The cause was brought TO an Is
sue at the village OF keene, where the good
people had just finished new and tasteful
church, and had turned the old one elevated
some eight or ten feet upon a granite ioun.
da,lon over TO the purposes OF justice. The
Deacon when he found himself drawn INTO
the law, employed the slick headed, eagle.
eyed and eloquent Ben. West, TO defend his
cause and against him had been ptted the
young aud brilliant j. Mason. From the
singular character Of the case, the parties
.h,lgant. and the high Standing of the coun'
sui employed, general interest had been
excited and women and children thronged
TO the house to literal stuffns TO hear the
story of the Broken Bond.
The pleadings were opened by young Ma.
son, with a bold flourish of anticipated trl
umph, frequently mingled with lurking
sneer at any serious attempt at defence
and he was replied TO by the grave and
stubborn charge OF a direct and premedI,a.
ted attempt upon the life of the venerable
Deacon,-an officer who in those days and
among the people stood IN sacred relation
TO the church, next TO the minister.
To sustain this charge, the witty coun.
sci first held the princely cladiull powdered
merchant up TO the gaze of the court aud
crowd, as an old notorious and experienced
cat dealer, familiar with all their habits
and so long Immured TO their socIe,y, as 10
have imblbed most OF their nature, a.ledg.
ing that ii shut up alone in the jurys lobby
+ be would instantly me,c for his old compa.
Nous. This brought a tremendous burst
I of Irrepresslble laughter from the whole
crowd, and set the bench in peIceplible
litter. When the fl had fairly subsidized,
he adroltly changed hrs key, and preseated
/ the unotf; ndlng, grey headed deacon, COST
helpless upon the floor, beset by hundred
furious ANIMALS made desperate by hunger
and long continemenl-soRe fastened upon
his throat, sucking out hs lite blood, aud
others at his face, gnsnng hls cheeks auc
tearing out his eyes with their claws. til:
peculiar picture brought the whole scene
before the eyes of the court, the jury anc
the people whose sympathy vas excited te
shower of tears, commlnglcd with audible
imprecations on the head OF the wretch aes
had plotted The mischief.
or this general excitement, the adreIl
CONSUL took instant advantage, and, bear
ing with irresistible force upon the feeling:
and conscience of the discontinued merchant
assigned in tones of language that went lc
his heart and narrowed up all kss sen'Iblh
ties, his position with cats VI this life, and
10 the life to come-.wuh an escort OF cat,
as he made his journey thIther. This de
: nunoIatlon was +ervld, whitening aud osat
wheImiug, and was instantly followed by q
continued chorus Of cat squalls, proceeding
frou arpopg toe vety feet OF the spectators
as though the asionished escort had actually
arrived TO accompany the atiriehieued mer
cnsnt on has unGs.Sd journey. The children
begun 10 cry, the women 10 scream, anc
the men to stare, and al 10 move On lnasse
towards the door way, seeking immediate
egress. The panic vas universal, the jar
fearful, and 10 many nearly fatal Some
fell and were tfampled upon, others pltche,
headlong down the granite steps, bruslnl
their flesh, breaking their bones While 9th
ers leaped from windows twenty fee, from
the ground. The house was cl.ared, nci
Their Judge nor jury would Telurn 10 It tina
day the cause went for the Deacon by
general northumberland q committee va,
appointed to investigate the matter the fol
lowing day.
Some time after the death Of Mr. West
which happened immediately after the ad
lourumeut Of the celebrated Hartford Con
vention, OF which he was member, auc
which was the only public trust he was eyel
prevailed upon 10 accept, It was discovered
that be, finding the Deacon's defence des
perate, added stratagem to his eloquencc
and placed the night previous a number nj
boys under the flDOr Of the court room WITH
cats, who, upon concerted signal, we're t.
make their squaIl. They were admitted
through the rear wall and after night Sc
cfeily dismissed.