Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-08-06

said the farmer, reddenlng with lndlgna
ton, that / was speaking 10 one Wild
knew me- 4 do know you, indeed SAID
the sheriff; 4 spoke but in jest; you shall
have your way. Co and on the third
day | shall expect to see you at s.
The farmer departed, an
at the appointed time he placed himself
the hands Of the sheriff.
Il was now engaged as his counse
Stedman insisted before the court, upo
telling his whole story: and, when
would have taken advantage Of some tee
nical points, he sharply reouked me, an
told me that he had not employed me I
prevaricate, but only to assist him in tie
ling the truth. had never seen sue
display of simple integrity. It wa
affecting to witness his love of holy, vi
vanished truth, elevating them above el
cry other consideration, and presiding
his breast as a sentiment even superb
TO the love of life. | saw the tears nor
than once springing to the eyes Of tt
Judges: never before, or since, have te
such an interest in a client. | plead e
him as | would have plead for my oW
life. drew tears but could not swerV
the judgment of Stern men, controIld
rather by a sense of duty, than the com.
passionate promptings of humanity
Stedman was condemned. | told him
there was u chance of pardon, if he would
ask for it. ] drew up petition, and re-
quested him to sign it, but he refused.
Il have done, SAID he, what thought my
duty. can ask pardon of my God and
my King; but it would be hypocricy to
ask forgiveness of these men, for an ac-
ton which should repeat, were | placed
again in similar circumstances. No! ask
me not to sign that petition. If what you
call the cause of American freedom re-
quires the blood of an honest man, for a
conscientious discharge of what he deem
ed duty, let me be its victim. Go TO
my judges, and tell them that place not
my fears. nor my hopes, in Them 1t
was in vain that pressed the subject; and
| went awayin despair.
SIN returning home to my house, ac-
cidentally called on an acquaintance, a
young man of brilliant genius, the subject
OF passionate prediction for painting.
This led him frequently to take excursions
INTO tie country, for the purpose of sketch.
ing such objects and scenes as were inter.
esting to him. From one of these he had
iust returned. found him sitting at his
easel, giving the last touches to the pic
ture which attracted your attention. Tic
asked my opinion of it, 1T s fine pic.
ture,' sad l: is it a fancy piece, or arc
they portraitsP They are portraits sale
he; and save perhaps a little embelilsh.
ment, they are think, striking portrait,
of the wife and children OF your unfortu
nate client, Stedman. In the course Of
nv rambles, CHANGED to call at his house
in H., never saw more beautiful
group. The mother is one of thou
sand; and the twins are cherubs.' Tel
me, said !, laying my hand on the pic
turc.--.tcll me, are they true and faithful
portraits of the wife and children Of Sted-
man? My earnestness made my friend stare
He assured me that they were, so far as
he ,uld be permitted to Judge of his owr
productions. asked no further ques
lions; | seized the picture, and hurried
with it TO the prison where my client wa:
confined. found HIM sitting, his face
covered with his hands, and apparently
wrung by keen emotion. l placed th'
picture in such a situation that he coulC
not fail TO see il. laid the petition OF
the little table by his side and left th'
| room.
"In half an hour returned. The far
mcr grasped my hand, while the tear
stole down his cheeks, his eye elanceC
first to the picture, and then TO the pc
tiion. He said nothing, but handed th'
latter to me. ] took it, and left the apart
mcnt. lie bad put his name to ii. The
petition was granted, and Stedman wa
set at liberty"