Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1851-01-21
nltsreIIonc / o Ii 6 .
THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.
A Tale of John Taylor.

We copy tie following from the New York
Spnday Times. The subject Of it, John Taylor,
was licensed, when youth OF twenty one to Prac.
tie atthe bar Of this city. lie was poor, but we'll
educated, and possessed extraordinary genius
Tile gs0ccs oGhs person combined with the supe'
riQrity of his intellect, enabled him TO win the
hand of a fashionable beauty. Twelve months
Afterwards the husband was employed by
wealthy firm OF the city to go on aapission as land
agent ~ the West. AS heavy salary was offer
ed. Taylor badp farewell to his wife and infant
son. lie wrote back every week, but received
rn3 Iihc in answer. Six months elapsed, when
the husband received letter from his employers
that ey paned all. Shortly after his departure TO
the West, the wife and her father removed to
Mississippi. There she Immediately obtained a
divorce by an act of the Legislature, married
again forthwith; aud, to complete the climax Of
cruelty and wrbng, had the name OF laylor's son
changed to Marks-that,o of her second matrimo-
njsl partner! This perfidy nearly drove Taylor
insane. His career, from that period, became
ecgenLric in the last degree; sometimes he preach
ed sometimes he pleaded at the bar; until, at last
a fever carried him off at comparatively early
ago Philadelphia Bulletin.
At an early hour on the 9th of April 1910, the
Court House in Clarksvie, Texas, was crowded
to over lowing. Save in the war times past, there
liafl never been witnessed such gathering i'll
Red River county. while the strong feeling, appa
rei.t OE every lushed face throughout the assem-
bly,, betnkeDCd some great occasion. a concise
nafrattre of facts will sufficiently explain the mat
ter.
About The close ofl839, George Hopkins. one
Of 4he vealthiast planters and most influential
rnen OF Northern Texas, offered gross insult to
Mary ElIistun, the young and beautiful wife oil
his Chiri Oversner. The husband threatened to
Chistar him for the outrage, whereupon Hopkins
inaded his gun went to Elllston's house and shot
hiE,l in his own door. The murderer was arrest.
cil and bailed to answer the charge. This OC.
c,rrre.,.c produced intense excitement; and Hop
k,s, in order 10 turn the tide of popular opinion,
at least 10 mitigate the general wrath, which at
first was violent against him, circulated reports
iniamOnsIy pFCudic al to tile character OF the
Woman WHO had already suffered such cruel
wrong at his bands. She brought her suit Tor
SANDER and thus two causes, one criminal aud
the nlicr civil, and both out the same tragedy,
ware pending in the April Circuit Court for
I94O.
q'hc interest naturally felt by the community
as to the Issues, became far deeper when it was
known that Ashley and Pike, of Arkansas,
ami the celebrated s. S. Preutiss, of NJ Orleans,
each with enormous fees, had been retained by
Hopkins for his defence.
.rhe trial, on the indictment for murder, ended
on the 9Th Of April, with the aCquttal OF Hopkins.
Such 81 rcsult might well have been ioreseen. by
Holnparing the talents of the counsel on either
side The Texan lawyers were utterly over
whelmed by the argument and eIoquence OF their
ep3onents. 1t was fight of dwaris against g.
ants
The siander suit was set for the 9th, and the
tlsrOng of spectators grew in mum bers as well as
exeiteuent; and what may seem strange, Inc
cnSrent OF public sentiment now ran decIdeoIy
Tor Hopkins. Ills money had procured pointed
3isnessas, who oserved most efficiently his power
fal ad, 5catcs. Indeed, SO triumphant had been
the success Of the previous day, that when the
slandet case was called, Mary Ellslon was left
without an attorney-they had all withdrawn
The pigmy pe,litoggers dared not brave again the
sharp wit Of g. Pike and :he scathlng thunder OF
Prsntiss.
e Have you no counsel2" inquired Judge Mills,
leoking kindly at the plaintiff.
!5.s No; sir; they have all deserted me, and am
too poor to employ any more, replied the beautl-
txl Mary bursting into tears.
.ts In such case, will not some chivalrous
member Of The profession VOLUNTEER 2" asked the
JuJge, glancing around the bar.
'S'he thirty lawyers were silent as death.
T. / WILL, youf honor,'' said voice from the
thiEkess part of the crowd, situated behind the
har.
at tltA tones OF that voice many started half
way from their seats snfperhaps there was not q
hekrt in the immense throng which did not beat
senle;hihg quSker-it was SO unearlhly sWeet,
clear, ringing, 10 nd mourntnl.
i'he first sensation, however, was. changed IN.
to general laughter. when a tail. gaunt, spectral
figure, thai nobudy present remembered ever 10
have seem before, elbowed his way through me
crowd, aud placed himself within the bar. E5is
appearsnce was problem to puzzle the sphinx
hesseH. HIS high. pale brow, and s.nall nervous
lystWiching face, seemed alive with the concen-
tfafed essence and cream oi genius, but then MS
ipianti5e blue eyes. hardly visible beneath their
rnaSsiysI archesi looked dim dreamy, almost un-'
sconscioas; and his clothing wa 50 exceedingly
fkat tho court hesitated 10 let the cause
pf(a.eed; d;under his management.
81 Has your name been entered on the rolls oil
tke Stats 2'' demanded the Judge suspiciolsly-
It is immateEiaI about my names being en-