The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-02-20
RED COATS ys. RED SHIRTS.


No. long since at cenvivia. PARTY.
a, Which Mr.. Webster and several
distinguished lawyers we're present.
the conversation lapreuin. 10 turn on
the legal profession, Mr.. Webster re.
lated the following. We do no, ,re-
tend o give it in his own peculiar and
deli :h,ful style;
When | was a Young Iraciiiion.
err" said Mr.. Webster, there was
but one man at the New llamr shire
bar Of whom was afraid. anl that,
was old Barnaby. There were but
few mcu who dared to enier the list
with him. On one occasion, Barnabv
VAS employed to defend a SUI, for a
piece Of land. brought by a little.
Grabbed, cunning Rsyer, called
Bruce. BruceE ease was looked up.
on AS good as lost wheu it was ascer.
taincd that Barnaby was retained
against him. The suit came on for
trial, aud Barnabv found that Bruce
had worked hard and lef, no stone
uilturncd to gain the victory. The
testimony for the plaintiff was very
stron,., and unless it could be impeach
ed. the case Of the defendant was
lost.
&" The principal witness introduced
by the plaintiff wore red coat. In
summing up for the defence, Old
Barnaby commenced furious attack
on this witness, pulling his testimony
all to pieces, and appealing to the
jury it man who wore red Goa,
was, under any circumstances. to be
belivcd. And who is this relocated
witness, exclaimed Barnaby, ba. a
descendant Of our Common enemy,
who has striven to take from us our
liberty, and would not hesitate now to
/ deprive my poor client Of his land
by making any sort Of relocated
statement =
" During this speech Bruce was
walking up and down the bar, greatly
excited and half convinced that his
case was gone, knowing, as he did,
the preluaices Of the jury against
any thing British. Whilst, however,
that Barnaby was gesticulating. and
leaning forward to the jury in his cl
o1uent appeal. his shirt bosom open
cI slightly, and Bruce accidentally
discovered that Barnaby WOKE red
undcrshirt.
Brucc's countcnancc bri ghtened
up. Putting both hands in his coav
pockets. he walked 10 bar with grca
confidence, to the astonishmcnt of hir
client and all lockers OH. Just a
Barnaby concluded, Bruce whispered
in the ear of his client, I've got
him your case is safe; and, approach
ing the jury. he commenced his re
ply to the s'aushterlng argument O
his adversary.
" Bruce gave regular history o
the ancestry Of his red coated witness
proving his patriotism and devotion
to the country, and his character fol
truth and vcracity. But what, gen
tlemen Of the jury broke forth Bruce
in a loud strain Of cloquonce, Will,
his eye flashed fire, what are you t.
expect Of man who stands here t.
defend cause based on no founda
ton Of right or justice whatever 0
man who undertakes TO destroy on
testimony On the ground that my vii
ness wears red coat, when, when
gentlemen Of the .jury-when, when
when, gentlemen OF the jury Her
Bruce made spring, aud catchn.
Barnaby by the bosom Of the shirt
tore it open. dlspla ling his red far
. mel - when Mr.. Barnaby himscl
wears red flannel coat concealed vi
der blue onc - The effect VA
/. electrical ; Barnahy vas beat at HI
+ own game, and Bruce gained hi
r cause. ~, q. Ptcaynle.