The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-06

Oh my poor little wife at home that was 10 as
tonish her with my good fortune. But the aw-
ful responsibility had undertaken, TO speak fol
the irst time in strange court; the expecta
tons the culprit had formed of my talents all
those, and crowd Of similar notions kept whirl
ing through my mind. | had tossed about all
night fearing morning would find me exhausted
and incompetent In word, the day dawned
on me miserable fellow.
got up feverish and nervous. | walked out
TO breakfast, striving 10 collect my thoughts and
tranqullze my feelings. II was bright morn
| lng-the air was pure and frosty-I bathed my
forehead and my hands in a beautiful running
stream, but could not allay the feyer-heat that
ragged within. returned 10 breakfast, but could
not eat. A single cup of coffee formed my re-
past Il was time TO go TO court, and went
there with throbblng heart | believe if il had
not been for the thoughts of my dear little wife
Ia her lonely house, should have given back 10
the man his dollars, and relinquished the cause
took my seat, looking, am convinced, more
like culprit than the rogue was to defend.
When the time came for me TO speak, my
heart died within me. rose embarras sed and
dismayed, and stammered in opening my cause
went on from bad to worse, and felt as if was
going down. Just then, the public prosecutor,
man OF talents, but somewhat rough in his
practice, made sarcastic remark on something
| had said. Ii was like an electric spark, and
ran tingling thro' every vein in my body. In
an instant my dlffidence was gone. My whole
spirit was in arms. answered with prompt.
ness, for felt the cruelty of such an attack up
on novice in my situation. The public prose
cutor made kind Of apology. This, for man
Of his redoubtable powers, was a vast conces-
sion. l renewed my argument with fearful
growl, carried the case triumphantly, and the
man was acquitted.
This was the making of me. Every body
was curious to know who this new lawyer was
that had suddenly risen among them, and bearded
the Attorney General in the very outset. The
story Of my debut at the inn on the preceding
evening, when | knocked down bully, and
kicked him out Of doors, for striking an old man,
was circulated with favorable exaggeration.-
Even my beardless chin and juvenile counte-
nance was in my favor, for the people gave me
far more credit than | deserved The chance
business which occurs at our courts came throng-
ing In upon me. l was repeatedly employed in
other causes, and by Saturday night, when the
court closed, found myself with hundred and
fifty dollars in silver, three hundred dollars in
notes, and horse that afterwards sold for two
hundred dollars more.
Never did miser gloat more on his money
and with more delight. locked the door of my
room, piled the money in heap upon the table
walked around it with my elbow on the table,
and my chin upon my hands, and gazed upon
it. Was thinking OF the money! MOL was
thinking of my little wife and home.
Another sleepess night ensued, but what a
night of golden fancies and splendid air As
soon as morning dawned, / was up, mounted
the borrowed horse on which had come TO
court, and led the other which received as a
fee. All the way was deighting myself with
thoughts of surprise had in store for my wife
for both of US expected should spend all the
money had borrowed, and return in debt.
Our meeting was joyous as you may suppose,
but played the part Of the Indian hunter, who,
when he returns from the chase, never for a
| time speaks of his success. She had prepared
a rustic meal for me, and while it was getting
ready, seated myself at an old fashioned desk
in one corner and began to count over my mo-
ney and put il away. She came to me before
had finished, and asked me who had collected
money for?
g For myself to be sure replied with affect
ed GOODNESS, 81 made il at court"
She looked at me for a moment incredulous-
". tried TO keep my countenance and play the
Indian, but it would not do. My muscles began
to witch, my feelings all at once gave way,
caught her in my arms, laughed, cried, and
danced about the room like crazy man. From
that time forward we never wanted money