Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-11-10
THE POOR LAWYER.

The Knickerbocker Magazine some
years ago contained Washington IrTing's
Early Experience of Ralph Ringwood.
This exciting story was well termed ny
the editor. "a species of Mountjoy OF
the West for the lovers of Ralph Ring
wood are scarcely less poe.ical than
those Of Mounjoy himself. Here was
the first introduction to the lively maid
en- who was TO have so great influence
on his after life:
| had taken my breakfast and was
waiting for my horse, when, in passing
up and down The piazza, | saw young
girl seated near the window, evidently a
visitor. She was very pretty, with au-
burn hair and blue eyes, and dressed in
white. had seen nothing of ,he kind
since l had left Richmond; at that time
/ was too much Of boy to be struck by
female beauty. She was SO delicate and
dainty looking, SO different from the
hale, buxom brown girls of the woods
and then her white dress! il was SO
dazzling! Never was poor youth SO
taken by surprise and suddenly bewitch-
ed. My heart yearnsd to know her. but
how was | to accost hei! l had grown
wild in the woods, and had none of the
habisudes Of polite life. Had she been
like Peggy Puge, or Sally Pigman. OF
any of my lealhern dressed bellies of the
pigeon rooss, should have approached
her without dread; nay, had she been as
fair as Shurt's daughters with their look.
ing glass lockets, 1 should not have hest.
tated, but that white dress and those au.
burn rinelsts. and blue eyes and delicate
looks quite daun.ed while they fascinat.
ed me. Idon'I know what put il into
my head, but | thought all at once that
would kiss her! Ii would take a. long
acquaintance TO arrive at such boon,
but ! might seize upon il by sheer rob-
berry. Nobody knew me here. / would
Just step in and snatch kiss; mount my
horse and ride of. She would not be
the worse for il; and that kiss--oh,
should d,e if die not ge,ii.
Igave no time for the thought 10 cool,
but entered the house and stepped lightly
Into the room. She was seated with hel
back 10 the door. looking out of the win.
dow, and did not hear my approach.
tapped her chair, and, as she turned and
looked up, snatched as sweet a kiss al
ever was stolen, and ! vanished in q
,winkling. The next momen, was on
horseback. galloping homeward. my very
heart tingling at what / had done.
After variety of amusing adventures,
Ringwood attempted TO study law in an
obscure settlements in Kentucky, where
no delved night and day. Ralph pur-
sues his studies, occasionally argues ia
a debating society. and a, lengsh becomes
quite genius and favorite in the eyes
of the married ladies Of the village.
/ called 10 take tea one evening with
one Of those ladies, when, to my sur.
prise, and somewhat to my confusion,
found with her the identical blue eyed
beauty whom | had so audaciously kiss.
ed. ! was formally introduced to her,
but neither of Us betrayed any sign oi
previous acquainsance, except by blush.
ing to the eyes. While tea was getting
ready, the lady Of the house went ou
Of the room 10 give some directions and
left Us alene. Heavens and earth! wha
. situation! / would have given all shs
pit,ance ] was worth, to have been in tbs
deepest dell of the forest. felt the ne