Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-24
Cbuitt Iitrrature.
THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

l.
Of his person combined with the superiority
Of his intellect. enabled him to win the hand
of fashionable beauty. Twelve months aE-
the husband was employed by a
wealthy firm Of the city to go on mission
as land agent to the west As heavy sal
ary was offered, Taylor baGe farewell to his
wife and infant son. He wrote back every
week, but received not line in answer. Six
months elapsed, when the husband received
a letter from his employers that explained
all. Shortly after his departure for the west,
the wife and her. father removed to Missis-
sippi. There she Immediately obtained
divorce by an act Of the Legislature, mar
ried again forthwith, and, to complete the
climax of cruelty and wrong, had the name
of Taylor's son changed to Marks-lhat of
her second matrimonial partner. This per-
fdy nearly drove Taylor insane. His career
from that period became eccentric in the first
degree sometimes he preached, sometimes
he plead at the bar-until at last fever car
ried him off at comparatively ly earl age.
At an early hour ON the 9th of April,
1910, the court house in Clarksvillo, Texas,
was crowded to overiowing. Save in the
war times past, there had never been wit.
messed such a gathering in Red River coun.
ty, while the strong feeling apparent on eve-
ry flushed face will sufficiently explain the
matter.
About the close of 1899, George Hop
kins, one Of the wealthiest planters and most
influential men Of Northern Texas offered
a gross insult to Mary Ellston, The Young
and beautiful wife of his chief overseer.-
The husband threatened to chastise him for
the outrage whereupon Hopkins loaded his
gun, went to Elliston's house, and shot him
| in his own door. The murderer was arres
ted, and baiied to answer the charge. This
occurrence produced intense excitement, and
Hopkins, in order to turn the tide of popu-
lar opinion, or at least to mitigate the gener-
al wrath which at first was violent against
him, circulated reports UNANIMOUSLY preiudicial
to the character of the woman who had suf-
fered such cruel wrong at his hands. She
brought her suit for slander. And thus two
cases, one criminal and the other civil, and
both out Of the same tragedy, were pending
in the April Circuit Court for l840
The interest naturally felt by the commu-
nifty as to the issues. became far deeper when
it was known that Ashley and Pike of Ar
kansas, and the celebrated S. S. Prentiss,
Of New Orleans, each with enormous fees,
had been retained by Hopkins for his defence.
The trial for the indictment Of murder en-
ded on the 9Th of April, with the acquittal
Of Hopkins. Such a result might we'll have
been toreseen by comparing the talents Of
the counsel engaged on either side. The
Texas lawyers were utterly overwhelmed by
the arguments and eloquence of their oppo-
nents. 1t was fight of dwarf against gi-
ants.
The slander suit was set for the 9th, and
the throng of spectators grew in number as
we'll as excitement and what may seem
strange, the current Of public sentiment now
ran decidedly for Hopkins. His money had
procured pointed Witnesses, who served most
efficiently his powarflll- ad~oeetee.- I-,4-oe4
stso triumphant had been the success Of the
previous 6ay, that when the SANDER case was
called, Mary Elliston was left without an at
torney-they had all Withdrawn. The pig
my pettifoggers dared not brave against til,
sharp wit of Pike, and the scathing thunde
Of Prentiss.
Have you no counsel 9'' inquired Judg
Mills, looking kindly at the plaintiff.
No, sir, they have all deserted me, am
am too poor to employ any more" replies
the beautiful Mary, bursting into tears.
$ In such a case will not some chiyalrou
member of the profession volunteers" aske
the Judge, glancing around the bar.
The thirty lawyers were silent as deatt
Judge Mills repeated the question.
81 will, your honor" said voice tror
the thickest part Of the crowd situated b
hind the bar.
At the tones Of that voice many starte
half from their seats; and perhaps there W;
not heart in the immense throng v hch d
: not beat something quicker-it was so u
r earthly sweet, Gear, ringing, and mournfu
n The first sensation, however, was change
g into general laughter, when tall, gaur
5 spectral figure, that nobody present remeu
$ bered ever to have seen before. eIbowed /
d way through the crowd, and placed himst
@ within the bar. His appearance was a pro
e lem to puzzle the sphinx herself. His his
n pale brow, and small, nervously twitchi
~ face seemed alive with the concentrated
le sence and cream Of genius; but then his
,e fantine blue eyes, hardly visible benea
D. their massive arches, looked dim, dreary,
Of most unconscious; and his clothing was
al shabby that the court hesitated to let I
a cause proceed under his management.
ID Has your name been entered on
to rolls Of the State?" demanded the jud
suspiciously.
at is immaterial about mr. names bei
n on your rolls" answered the stranger,
We thin bloodless lips curling. up into ficnd
I'd sneer. Il mag be allowed to appear OIL
to by the courtesy of the court and bar. III
u is my license from the highest tribunal
ny America and he handed Judge Mill
nc broad parchment. The trial immediat
an went on.
e. In the examination of witnesses the str
raj ger evinced but little ingenuity, as was &C
tut monty thought. lie suffered each one
nd tell his own story without interruption, thor
he he contrived to make each one tell it o
lu- two or three times. He put few cross qt