Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-07-23


it, if had thrown myself upon the merits
of my case, acknowledged my own inexpe-
rience, plainly stated the evidence and the
law, and let the case go-reserving myself
in the CONCLUSION for a-splurge, if chose
10 make one. But the evil genius that
prrsides over the first bantlings Of all law
yerings, would have it otherwise. The
citizens of the town and those Of the country
then in the village had gathered in great
numbers into the court-hou to hear the
speeches: aud could no, miss such an
opportunity for display.
Looking over the jury, l found them
plain matter Of fact looking set OF fellows;
but did not note or probably know fact
or two about them which found out al-
terward.
I started as I thought in pretty good
style. As went on, however, my fancy
began 10 get the better of my Judgment
Arguments and common sense grew tame.
Poetry and defamation, and, at last, pathos
and fiery invective, took their place. |
grew as glotatioaS as Richard Swiveler.
Shakespeare suffered. ] lqUotsd among 9TH
er things Of less value and Sptncss, "He
who steals my purse steals trash," etc. ]
spoke of the woful sufierings oi my poor
client, almost heart. broken benpath the
weight Of the terrible persecution Of his
enemy and growing boldcr, turned on
old Kasm, and congratulated the jury that
the genius OF slander had found an appro-
pirate defender in the genius of chcane
and mal:gnity' | compimentpd the jury
on their patience, on their estimate OF the
value OF character: spoke Of the public
expectations. Of that feeling outside OF the
box which would welcome with laundering
plaudits the righteous verdict the jury
would render; and wound up by declaring
that had never known case OF slaader
SO aggravated in the course Of my practice
al the bar; and ielicitated myself that its
groSsneSs and barbarity. justified my client
in relying upon even the youth and mex
/ pprlence Of an unpracticed advocate, whose
/ poverty of resources was unpaid by oppor-
tunities OF previous preparation. Much
more l said that happily has now escaped
me.
When | concluded, Sam Hicks and one
or Two other friends gave faint sign of
applause, but not enough 10 make any i'm
preston.
l observed that old Kasm held his head
down when was Speaking; l entertained
the hope that had cowed him! His usual
fort was that Of cynical composure, or bold
and brazen defiance. 1t was special kind
ness if he only smiled in covert scorn that
was his most amable expression in trial
But when he raised up his head | saw
the very devil was TO pay. His face wa,
Of burning red. He seemed almost &c
choke with his rage. His eyes were blood.
shot, and famed out fire and fury. Hi!
queue stuck out behind, and shook iSel
siiflly, like a buffalo BULBS tail when he i
about making fatal plunge. had struci
between wind and water. There was al
audacitv in a stripping like me boarding
him which infuriated him. He meant tc
massacre me, and wanted to be long tim,
doing it. 1t was regular auto de fe.
was 10 be- the representative of the youn;
bar, and 10 expiate his malice against ALL
The court adjourned for dinner. 1t me
again after an hours recess.
: By this time pulic interest, and especi ial
: ly that Of the bar, grew very great. Their
was a rush to the privileged seats, and tn
sheriff had to command order, the shufflin
e OF feet and the pressure OF the crowd fol
j ward was so great.
2 took nv seat within the bar, locke
Z around with an afectaion Of indifference
n so behaving the perturbation within tha
= the same power OF acting on the stag
would have made my fortune on Mat the
q atre.
Kasm rose--took glass Of water; h
# hand trembed litlle-l could see that
J, took a pinch of snuff, and led off in voic
S, slow and measured, but slightly very slgh
+ ", tremulous. BY strong effort he ha
Is recovered his composure. The bar W
surprised at his calmness. They all kne
d it was affected, but they all wondered tn
rs hr could affect it. Nobody was deceive
y bv it. We telt assured "it was the to
at rents smoo.hness ere it dash below"
a thought he would come down on me in
,e tempest, and fattered myself it would 500
lie be over. But malice is cunning. He h
at no idea oI letting me of so easily.
TO He commenced by saying that he h
II been some years in the practice. He wou
IN not say he was an old man; that would
Id in bad taste, perhaps. The young gent
he man who has Just closed his remarkat
ed speech, harangue, poetic effuson, or Il
nd marole, or whatever it might be called,
ad indeed, any name could be safely given
he his molly mixture OF incongruous slang
un the young gentleman evidently did I
'sl think he was an ole man, for he COT
ch hardly have been guilty of such rank i'm
lic cency as to have treated age with such
or, resppct-he would not say with such
suferable impertinence and yet 81 an
; it he continued ''of age enough TO recolle
ak if had charged my memory with to
va considerable an event, the day of his bir
as and then was in full practice in the co
ose house. confess though, gentlemen, ]
rad old enough to remember the period wi
'ho youths first appearance at the bar '
Of not sgnalized by imperiinence toward
EN- seniors; and when public opinion did
ifs think flatulant bombast and ford ira
,ey picked out OF fifth-rate romances and nj
me- by-namby rhymes, repeated by the upst
the sauciness Of raw popiniay toward the
the perienced members Of the profession
) at disgraced. And to some extent, this rs
l l. - a IL