Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-11-26
THE POOR LAWYER.
ny WASHINGTON IRVING.

very pretty, with auburn hair and blue eyes,
and was dressed in white. had seen moth
ing of the kind since left Richmond, and
at that time was too much of boy 10 be
struck with female beauty. She was so de-
icate and dainty looking, so different from
the hale, tuxom, brown girls of the woods
and then her white dress 1t was so daz-
cling Never was poor youth so taken by
surprise, and suddenly bcwtched. NV heart
yearned to know her, but how was | to
accost her =? | had grown wild in the woods,
and had none of the habilltudcs Of polite life.
Had she been like Peggy Pugh, or Sally
Pigham, or any of my leather dressed bellies
of the pigeon roost, should have approach
ed her without dread; nay had she as been fair
as Shur,'s daughters with their looking glass
lockes, | should not have hesitacd but
and blue ewes, and delicate locks quite daunt-
cd while they fascinated. l don't know
what put it into my head, but thought all at
once would kiss her 1t would take long
acquaintance TO arrive at such boon, but
might seize upon it by sheer robbery. No
body kbew me here. would Just step in
and Snatch a kiss, mount my horse and ride
off She would not be the worse for it: and
that kiss-oh, should die if did not get it..
gave no time for the thought to cool, but
entered tho house and stepped lightly into
the room. She was seated with her back to
the door, looking out of the window and did
not hear my approach. tapped her chair,
and she turned and looked up. | snatched
as sweet kiss as ever was stolen, and van
shed in twinkling. The next moment
was on horseback galloping homcward, my
heart tingling at what | had done.
After a variety of amusing adventures,
Ringwood attends the study of the law, in
an obscure settlement in Kentucky, where
he delvcd night and day. RAJ pin pursues
his study, occasionally argues at a debating
society, and al length becomes quite gen
ius in the ewes of the married ladies' of the
village.
called 10 take tea one evening with one
Of these ladies, when to my surprise, and
somewhat to my confusion, | found here the
identical bluc-oycd little beauty whom l had
so audaciously kissed. | Twas formally intro
duced to her. but neither of us betrayed any
signs of previous acquaintance, except by
blushing to the eyes. While tea was getting
ready, the lady of the house went out Of the
alone. Heaven and earth what situation
| would have given all the pittance was
worth to have been in the deepest dell of the
forest. felt the necessity Of saying some
thing in excuse for my former rndcness.
could not conjure up an idea, nor utter IA
word. Every moment matters were growing
worse. felt al once tempted to do as had
done when | robbed her of the kiss-bolt
from the room and take to flight; but was
chained to the spot, for really longed to
gain her good will
At length l plucked up courage on seeing
her equally confused with myself, and walk
ING desperately up to her, | exclaimed,
"i have been trying to muster up some
that am in horrible scrape. Do YOU have
pity on me and help me out Of IL"
a smile dlmpled upon her mouth and
played among the bushes of her cheek. She
looked up with a shy, but arch glance of the
eye, that expressed volume of comic re-
collections we both broke into laugh, and
| from that moment all went well.
Passing the delightful description that sue
cecded, We proceed to the dcnoument of
Rngwood's love afair-thc marriage and
settlement.
That very Autumn was admitted to the
| bar, and a month afterwards was married.
We were a young couple, she not above 10,
| | not above 20. and both almost without a
dollar in the world. The establishment which
we set up was suited to our circumstances, a
low house with two small rooms, bed a
table, hall dozen knives and forks, "A half
dozen spoonS-cvcry thing by half dozens
little delphi ware, every thing in a small
way we were so poor but then so happy.
We had not been married many days,
when court was held in country town
about % miles of. 1t was necessary for me
to 90 there, and put myself in the way Of
business, but how was to go | expended
all my means in our establishment, and then
it was hard parting with my wife so soon after
marriage. But go ! must Money must be
made, or we shonld have the wolf at the door,
I accordingly borrowed horse, and bor-
rowcd little cash, aud rode OF from my
door, leaving my wife standing at it, and
waving her hand after me. Her last look,
so sweet and becoming, went to my heart.
! felt as if could 20 ,hro' fire and water for
her. arrived at the country town on cool
|
the court was TO commence on the following
day.
| knew no one and wondered how "a stran-
ger and mere youngster,was TO make my way
in such a crowd, and gethusincss. The pub
lie room was throngcd with all the iders OF
the country, who gather together on such
occasions. There was some drinking going
forward, with a great noise and little al
tercation. Just as ! entered the room, saw
a rough bully of fellow, who was partly in
toxicated, strike an old man. lie came
staggering by me and elbowed me as pas
sed. Immediately knocked him down, and
kicked him INTO the street. needed no bet
ter introduction. had half dozen roual
shakes Of the hand and invitations to drink
and found myself quite "A parsonage in Til.
rough assemblage.
The next morning court opened tool
| l., I 4,