Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-10-14
LIFE In THE BACKW0ODS.
from Scraps from the Note book Of a
Missouri Lawyer" in the Spirit.1

is but little 10 excite tHe ulttiiS VI l!I0 P0o-
ME. and arouse them from shat quiet in
difference they generally manifest to all
that is passing in the busy world beyond
them. which does not Immediately affect
their own interests. In the great poiltI-
cal questions of the day they feel but little
interest, except so far as the disposition OF
the public lands is concerned. But little
is known, and less is cared, about those
political and commercial questions which
so deeply engross public attention IN the
older States That craving appetite tor
novelty and excitement, which character
ICES the inhabitants of al! large CONNER
cial communities, is hardly known to the
backwoodstnan.
To him propitious showers for his grow
ing crops-an abundant mast 10 tatten his
hogs, and good season for hunting, are OF
more Importance than the adjustment OF
tariff, or the management of the public
revenue.
The election of a township Constable
cxcites a far deeper interest in his mind
than the election of President. He will
remain at home, without for a moment
thiaking of putting himself TO the trouble
Of riding to the neighborlng precinct to
vote for Presidential electors; when, at the
next Constable's election, he will, If ne
cessary, ride all day through the rain, and
swim dozen creeks, to cast his vote fer
his favorite candidate.
In all that is passing Immediately about
HMM all matters affecting his own
personal concerns, or those OF his neigh
4 4. !, : M
These pecuiiarities OF the backwoods-
men, arising from their insulated situation
may account for the strong interest they
manifest in the ADMINISTRATION OF the law;
for there are no people who watch with
more vigilance the proceedings of the
their Courts Of Justice.
Something is known of the history OF
: almost every case in Court, and the events
of Court week" are thoroughly discussed
at all "ga,herings'' and clog roiilugs
:, long after the adjournment OF The Court
. The character of the part es-the tesu
:. raony and demeanor of the wi'nesses-the
: subject matter of the controversy--tht
Z merits of the respective advocates-art
all freely canvassed on such occasions.
J. "Court week" is an incident in Tia
lIifG OF q baCh " OON-S' "Aiu 'S'
>; are who co not attend Court, at least ones
in the year.
r.; A session of the Circuit Court not oni
Is draws together The parties higanf, mel
t, Witnesses and friends. but a host OF Others
who attend out of curiosity, or for troiIC
L or to trade horses, or TO make up scru
race, or to make a promised settlement
n for ICourt week. is the time general
It. designated for settlement OF accounts
b. But the day of days-is when "Cou
n, week" and selection day" happen at tn
5; same time. Then the Western chara'
no fer is seen in all its varieties. Then I'll
y; interest in the proceedings of court Is Tor
10; short time lost in the excitement OF u
I'm election. Bat the election eXcltemei
las soon subsidies, for it seldom extends b
pit. vond the canvass for Constable.
&c The incidents am about to relate occu
red many years ago in the remote Cou
re- ty of Green. The election was TO tai
place on the first day of the Court. VI
GERS were to be voted for from Govern
down to Constable, but the election tor
ted latter was the only one that seemed 10
MIA cite any interest.
"
The collection Of six or eight haIf-finished /
Fe. cabins-we saw large crowd already
ter. sembled. The site of the embryo To-
ME was the edge of beautiful prairie, Will
me- extended as far as the eye could rea'
!, IN The prairie afforded fine level space
scrub-racing, and much sport OF this K
my was anticipated.
mn MANY were crowded round the groct
BET. drinking whiskey, and discussing the 2
nee rits of their respective candidates. M
can of them were on their horses, ana al
, in swallowing huge draft OF liquor, "o
lem again dash into the prairie, whooPlng
and yelling like madmen.
nty, "i'll bet THIS ere sorfe, po"y n
Gus, mans horse on thls Srounu, .h"'
UNI son are Elected constable," said ia'
no rough.looking fellow, as he rode up 10
crowd.
lace "Doner' said an old man with ha'
,stly et face. who was mounted on tail,
Fe. boned horse. "i'll bet you this nag a
lit YOUR pony that Joe Snelson beats L
oun- Hanson twenty votes"
oold /" Gin US your hog-stealer," said the
tape as he rode up with his hand stretched
d = :. the bets made"
,lace Just as ms Oct was co"c'uO0o'
ina came out Of the grocery. with TIN
wear filled with whskey, and waving his
duty in the air, cf'eu ou'
nally 90 yes, gentlemen! this ere wins
ID are Joe Sne's III 'rea'I'oo In1''on
sides are running ior Oons.ao'e-7'lh oo'''0
this stump and drink