The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-10
THE POOR LAWYER.

u6 AUtCkeTOOCReT IHUSu-tHS, SOUie
years ago, contained Washington Irving's
early Experience of Ralph Ringwood."
This exciting story was well termed by the
editor "a species of Mountoy of the Vest
for the lovers Of Ralph Ringwood are
scarcely less poetioal than those of Mount
Joy himself. Here is the first introduction
to the lovely maiden who was to have so
great an influence on his after life:
| had taken my breafast and was wait
ing for my horse, when, in passing up and
down the piazza, | saw young girl seat
ed near the window, evidently visitor.
She was very pretty, with auburn hair and
blue eyes, and was dressed in white.
had seen nothing Of the kind since had
left Richmond; at that time was too much
OF a boy TO be struck by female beauty.
She was so delicate and dainty looking.
SO different from the hale, buxom brown
girls Of the woodland then her white
dress! it was SO dazzling! Never was a
poor youth so taken by surprise, and sud
denly bewitched. My ..heart yearned to
know her, but how was to accost her?
| had grown wild in the woods, and had
none of the habtitudes of polite life Had
she been like Peggy Pugh. or Sally Pig
man, or any other OF my leathern dressed
bellies Of the Pidgeon roost, Ishould have
approached her without dread; nay, had
she been as fair as Shurt's daughters with
their looking glass lockets, should not
have hesitated; but that white dress and
those auburn ringlets, end blue eyes and
delicate looks, quite daunted while they
facinaied me. don't know what put it
into my head, but tnought, all at once,
would kiss her. 1t would take long ac-
quaintauce to arrive at such boon, but
might seize upon it by sheer robbery. No
body knew me here. | would just step in
and snatch kiss, mount my horse and
ride off, She would not be the worse Of
it; and kiss-oh, should die if | did
not getit!
! gave no time for thought to cool, but
entered the house and stepped lightly into
the room. She was seated with her back
to the door, looking out Of the window,
and did not hear my approach. tapped
her chair, and as she turned and lookt d
up, snatched as sweet kiss as ever was
stolen, and vanished in twinkling. The
n ext moment was on horseback. gallop.
ing homeward, my very heart tingling at
what had done.
After variety of amusing adventures.
Ringwood attempts the study,oflaw, in an
obscure settlemen, in Kentucky, where he
delved night and day. Ralph pursaes his
studies, onally argues at the aebas-
ing society, end becomes favorite in the
eyes Of the married ladies Of the village.
called to take tea one evening with
one of these ladies; when to my surprise,
and somewhat to my confusion, | found
with her the identical blue-eyed beauty
whom had audaciously kissed. | was
formally introduced TO her. but neither OF
US betrayed any sign of previous acquain-
lance, except by blushing to the ayes
While tea was getting ready, the lady OF
the house went out OF the room to give
some directions, and left US alone. Heav-
ems and earth. what situation! | would
have given all the pittance was worth TO
have been in the deepest dell in the forest.
| felt the necessity OF saying something in
excuse for my former rudeness; | could
not coniure up an idea nor utter word
Every moment matters became worse.
felt at one time tempted to do IS had
done when robbed her Of the kiss-boli
from the room and take flight; but was
chained to the spot, for really longed to
gain her goodwill.
AT length | plucked up courage on see:
ing her equally confused. and walking des-
pcrately up TO her. ] exclaimed:
81 have been trying to muster up some.
thing to say, but cannot. | feel that
am in horrible scrape. Do have pity
and help me out Of it!''
A smile dimpled about her mouth and
played among the bushes Of her cheek
She looked up with shy but arch glance
of the eye, that expressed a volume OF com
| ic recollections; we both broke out into 8
laugh; and from that moment all wen
well.
Passing that delightful description which
succeeded, we proceed to the denoumen
Of Ringwood's love affair-the marriage
and the settlement.
This very autumn was admitted to ths
bar, and a month afterwards was married
We were young couple-she not more
both almost without dollar in the world
The establishment was well suited TO ou
circumstances; a low house with two small
rooms, bed and table, half dozer
chairs, half dozen knives and forks; ,
half dozen spoons-everything by tht
half dozen--a little DELPHI ware, everything
in small way; We were opocr, but ther
so happy.
We had not been married many day
when court was held in county town
about twenty-five miles distant. 1t wa
necessary for me to go there and put my
self in the way of business-but how wa
to 60? | had expended all my mean
on our establishment, and then it was hare
parting with my wife so soon after mar
riage. However, go | must. Money mus
be made, or we would soon have the vol
at our door. accordingly borrowed
horse, and borrowed alitle cash, and rod
off from my door, leaving my wife stand
ling at it and waving her hand after me
Her last look so sweet and becoming, wen
to my heart. Ifelt as if could 90 throug
fire and water for her. arrived at tn
county town on cool October evening
The inn was crowded. for the court wa
to commence on the following day.
T l. 4