Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-06-07

for free space and full hand Sweep
b. All pre- appointed hour. Judge Tul
ly assembled the bench-pale and trem
bling in every nerve, and yet not dsrins
to risk the imputation Of cowardice BY
resorling to timely adjournment. ed
Iao The prisoner, Henry Martin. was ush
cred into the co1rt-room, followed by thu
sheriff aud guard He was rather han
some youth, Of not more than eighteen
tall. straight. and strong as a lion. will
bravery stamped on his brow as with {
red hot iron. He was attended by tha
beautiful sister, Mary, two years younge
than himself, for whose sake lie had com
mitted the act that had loaded him with
chains-the act for which be must short
| ly suffer.
Guilty or not guilty 2" interrOgated
| the clerk.
The bold youth turned to the court
and said naively: ~.
Judge. can't tell you lie 1 did
kill Col. Wallace, for he abused my Sis
ter; but | gave him fair fight. eyerybo-
dy knows"
The plebian party thundered enrhusi-
astic applause, and the Fayetteville
clique hissed an ominous murmur.
"Mr. Martin, have you any counsel 90
asked the judge. a.l72sEsr
"No sir" answered the prisoner; m
too poor to fee lawyers; besides, they've
all been bought up by the 'horstocracy.
Lawyers. like buzzards. you know. flock
to the fattest carcases."
"Will no legal gentleman volunteer for
the accused % inquired his honor, CLAN
cling around the circle of green bags
within the bar.
May it please the court. am engs-
ged." "And l." "and L. responded
two dozen and two. bland and oily voices.
/" Then l fear the case must be post
poned," remarked Judge Tally with a
relieved look of Joy thai said-"In my
heart am really glad of it,
"Wait few moments, Judge" en-
treated the young prisoner earnestly, 81
expect Fent NOland."
The Judge started half way from his
seat with astonishment. The bravest
lawyers at the Fayetteville bar turned
pale. and the whole crowd hummed with
agitation like beehive Jared by the
fling Of II heavy stone. Fent holland i
the name operated like a spell Of wisch
craft. Had the prisoner said, {" expect
the arch lend to appear in proper person
and defend me-" the announcement
cOull not have inspired more intense
panic. And yet, strange asst may seem,
no one individual present, knew Fent No
land. save by report and general charac
ter. He lived at the further extremity Of
the State. but the name itself was a thun-
derbolt of terror. He was famous as a
dead shot-a duelist whose aim was as
sure as death, and as quick as the light
ming from the cloud.
" Are you acquainted with Fent No
land ?" asked the amazed judge. .
NO. sir " rejoined the accused but
we had all heard of him, and sister
wlotc to him for me; and he sent us let
ter, promising to be here to-day"
At this moment person was seen ell
bowing his way through the crowd. He
advanced towards the bar. and after
whispering few words in the ear of the
prisoner, addressed the court:
q" Your honor may proceed with the
case. am ready to defend Mr.. Mar
tim" as
You - exclaimed Judge Tully. in a
tone of wonder and contempt The ap
pearHnce and garb of the stranger might
seem to warrant fully his honur's mani
fest emotion. He was Of slight and
fragile frame, with golden curls floating
down his shoulders, and complexion
pale and delicate as that Of a girl, IN a
In short, his personale
was to the last degree feminine and
hence served to render more striking his
cos ume. He was habited
all over in IA smoky. greasy suit of buck
skin. His small feet were encased in
bright beaded moccasins, and he Wore
on his head Il panther skin cap with tail
on. A shot pouch Of Pile dimensions
swung under his left arm. while a patent
deadly eight shooter of Colt
lay poised in his snowy little hand.
lie answered the exc amation Of" you"
with the comical grimace of pantominist:
" Yes, l. Judge Why not? Does
your honor think my mamma don't know
I'm out %
He said this with an accent and EN-.
phasis of such inimilable drollery as to
the whole courthouse with
laughter.
'Are you licensed attorney ?'' inqui-
red the court. aa
That makes no difference, as, by the
late statute, anybody may prosecute or
defend at the request of party to the
record"
"WiII you please TO enter your name?"
requested the Judge, offering his dock
ct. .-.
The stranger scrawled, in immense
blotling capitals. :" Pete Milestone. Of
the Devils Fork, Carroll County. Coon
Township"
Pete Milestone Pete Milestone -
murmured the throng. passing the singu
lar name from lip to lip. I" We thought
il could moi BE-. Eent Nnlanh,'