Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-07-15

Scene in Texas.

Scene in Texas.
We are indebted to a friend in the State Of
Mississippi, for the following humorous sketch.
We hope to be again favored with contributions
from his pen.-N.
The locality Of the far West is constantly
changing. Stories that were formerly current
of the wilds of Kentucky. seem hardly credi-
BILE to the present enlightened population Of
that Aourishing State. Facts now occurring
in Texas and California will, in few years.
be considered matters Of doubtful authenticity.
This progressive change in a new country is
exhibited in nothing more strikingfy, than in
the courts Of justice. g.
Western lawyers retain an odd mixture Of
the polish and deep learning Of the older states
in which they have been educated, and the 60
a-head roughness Of their new location.
Judge Van Tromp was scion of one of the
old families, in one Of the old States. His ed
ucation was thorough and classical. When he
had finished his studies, and began to think Of
commencing practice in his profession, he found
himself destitute of the means of purchasing
library, and such articles of convenience and
luxury, as would place him on an equal footing
with his former associates. He resolved to
try his fortune in the far West. He was more
successful in making friends than in gaining
money, and was frequently elected to response
BILE Offices, among which, was that Of judge of
the court of common pleas. He would have
distinguished himself in this station, but for
the habit which had hitherto retarded his pros
perity, and seems to have been an heirloom of
the family. Whether his ancestor. the admi-
raj, acquired the propensity by frequent pota-
tons taken for the purpose of keeping up his
Dutch courage, is not fully known, but certain
it is, that he has transmitted to many of his
posterity wonderful capacity for absorbing
alcoholic fluids.
Richard Ward was one of the old associates
of the Judge, at the bar of the tavern and gro
Gerry, as well as those of the courts. Similar
ly situated, and similarly educated, they were
frequently witty upon each other, but oftener a
good story was circulated among their pro-
fessional brethren, at the expense of BOTH
Whenever Ward was sober enough to get
started at all in speech, his logical reasoning,
his odd but pithy expressions. his knowledge
of The law, and of human nature, rendered him
formidable antagonist. ~
The last case that heard him argue, was
before Judge Van Tromp. He, and the Judge
had been up rather late the night before, and
had INDUCED pretty freely in divers mixtures,
of the essence of rye, so that they required
considerable bracing 10 get their nerves steady,
for the business of the court. Various cases of
minor importance were disposed of, and the
State VS.. Broom was called, and excited good
deal of attention. The defendant was indicted
for murder, and Ward and other distinguished
counsel were employed to defend him. After
the usual preliminaries, the Prosecuting At
torney made his speech, in which he expatiated
upon the enormity of the crime, and the das-
tardly manner in which it was perpetrated.-
The deceased was man of small size, and al
though he had showed fight, had no weapons
the prisoner at the bar was a man of large
size, and had used Bowie knife. "Why,"
says the prosecuting attorney "Smith was no
more in the arms of Broom, than yearling
shoot in the close hug of four year old bear. -
When Ward begun to Comment upon that
part of the speech, the Judge had fallen asleep,
and the words of Ward, and the revels of the
night before, were mingling strongly in his
dreams. Ward said the States attorney has
spoken of the strength of my client, and in do
ing so has used an expression which cannot
consider very classical.
Somehow the word classical changed the
spirit of the judges dreams, and he aroused
from his slumbers. What were you saying,
Mr. Ward, about the classics! asks the judge.
Ward then repeated the words of the prosecu-
ting attorney, and said he did not consider the
illustration strictly classical The judge sup
posing he was called on for a decision, looked
wise and says "ahem the court is of opinion
that it is not classical-proceed with your ar
gument, Mr.. Ward.'
This decision was not received by the bar,
and other intelligent hearers, with all the So
lemnity due to case of life and death, Ut the
jury construed it in favor of the prisoner, and
for that and divers other reasons, finally agreed
upon verdict of not guilty. G.