The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-03-07

have law of her own"
Rusk started. 1t was the music Of
his own dream---that grand word Gin
dependence ?. and from the instant
they were bosom friends.
During the next twelve months
Moseley Baker was busy among his
books, by day seated under the shade
Of superb Magnolia, near the banks
Of the Brasos, and at night coming
spanish lessons in the hut of the poor
Mexican. The court of September
CAME round again, and he applied to
the alcalde for license as an attorney,
A committee of lawyers were appom-
ted to examine his proficiency, and the
state Of learning common to the bar OF
that period may be inferred when
it is stated that the committee soon
found themselves transported into wa
ter beyond their utmost depth by the
student Of single year
H. had thoroughly mastered not,
only Spanish but the Spanish laws
and he seemed to have both Black
stone and Justinian by heart. Be-
sides he had composed for his own
use a thorough dijest Of all the degrees,
ordinances, and contradictory statutes,
not only Of the supreme Mexican fed
GRAFTON, but also Of the subordinate
states Of Coahuila and Texas. The
committee reported an eulogy, and
Mosely Baker received his first license.
The next day Rusk invited the new
attorney to make volunteer speech IN
one of his own cases. 1t was an I'M
mense land suit for the possession OF
fifty leagues; and then might be seen
the first golden fruits Of Blker's seclu-
sion in the hut Of the p)or bit not IL
literate Mexican. He read the aston
ished alcaIde an array OF authorities
that might have puzzled the highest
forum in the city Of the Montezama7,
enunciating the Most beautiful Spanish
and translating it all like a thought
into English. His learning and eio.
uuence won the cause. The alcaIde
had too much good sense not to ad
Judge every point i'll favor of an orator
who spoke tiio own language SO cor
rectIy, and besides, appeared to be IA
milIiar with the laws Of all the world
The fame of Mosely Baker was es-
tabISled in Texas "A star fixed in
the armament beyond the power Of
change. Clients poured into his Office
his renown spread, he received mes
sages with offers Of thousand dollar
fees from every section Of The state,
till success won him the nickname oI
the aIcalde'S 0ade necant."
Aud yet, strange TO say, the grea
lawyer at times seemed unhappy
The fire dinmed in his eye and tho
gloom darkened on his brow; in his
bosom gnawcd a ceaseIess grief thai
no wealth could appeose, that the dir
of business could not drown, nor thC
music of fame soothe with Ilethiar
murmurs From the gay circle o
dancers, where smiles made the star
light ofnight, and beauty showed hel
fpictureS of the angels, he would turr
away -and always 10 weep; while tht
vision Of all others most strongly sug
gestive Of innocence, Eden, and per
feet joy-the vision of children at play
nearly drove him mad with sorrow
Had he left far behind him in his owr
native land, little bright haired, sweet
Tipped pratllers, who called him faith
er? Or had he been crossed in the ag
onics of hopeless love? Such were
the questions many asked, but none
couldanswer. All saw him miserable
| yet few could believe him criminal -
But still, whenever duty, benevoIence
or business called the brave man would
battle with his despair, and conquer
oli the 5heots. Of rnonnory by sheer ON
Impotence Of will. Then he could
mlngle with crowds 1.-The widest and
wlttest Of all-and dispatch labors in
week that might have engaged 9TH
ers for months. His invariabIe and
wonderful success excited the jealousy
of enemies, and Col. Hunter sent
him challenge to mortal combat. -
Baker aogged most numerically with
his first the second, and then the prin-
cipal. Such was the trial Of his cour-
age +; it was the only attempt ever made
70 bully him off the track.
Hisprosperity continually increased;
his fees were to be reckoned alone by
thousands, and not one less than a
square league Of Texan soil. Besides,
he turned speculator himself, and with
70 three years was the greatest land
owner il the State.
Buta cloud had long been gather
ing on the heights of the p5ateaW or