Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-05-17
MAY 10, 1856.

WNDHAM CouSrY CouRr.-- coTFespoadcnre Of
he PsrmOai PhGRir.-Sinee the report Of the
proceedings Of our Court in the PnoxIx the Jury,
in the case Of .Hussey, orerieer &c. vs.. DR.. Joel
HoiiOn, without any difficulty returned verdict
Of "Not Guilty" This result accorded with the
impressions Of all disnterested persons who heard
the trial.
The next case on the doeke. for trial was n SIAN
der suit brought by Martin Brown Of whitingham
against Jedediah Stark Of Halifax. The alleged
slAndcrous words consisted in the defendant hav-
ing charged the plaintiff with committing the
crime Of perjury. To this declaration the defen-
dant pleaded the general issue and set up seven
sperial pleas in justification. admitting the srsat-
ing Of the words, aud averring the truth Of the
words spoken. The case came on in Court on Fri
day, the % inst, but long before that time the lit
igau,s with their witnesses, some seventy in num-
Der, were ON hand prepared for any emergency
which should result in fastening their cause This
interval was occupied in vain attempts Of dslnier-
ested parties to settle the suit while those necessa
rily in attendance amused themselves in playing
ball. pitching quoits, ounging about and in Discus
sing the merits Of the case. During this period
the Common at Fayetteville presented the spectacle
Of general trairin'. The number and appear
ance of this multitude indicated the peculiarities
which distinguish the cases from that quarter Of
the county.
The ayidity with which some persons 60 to law
was illustrated by ono Of the parties to this suit
On Monday morning, four days previous to the
commencement of the trial, the quiet citizens Of
Fayetteville were startled by the approach Of a
large body Of excited people which might easily
have been mistaken for a caravan or q steeple
chase, but which proved to be the plaintiff and his
cloud Of witnesses. This party was led by Brown
in an open buggy and his boon companion, man
Of large figure aud imposing presence. in a two
horse wagon. These Jehus we're neck and neck,
driving furiously. For a short time, and as they
nearcd the Hotel, the contest hung in even scale;
but Brown in curyetting to bring up at the steps
dashed passed against Miller's store. smashed in
window, broke the shafts of his carriage and dump
ed his load very promscuously on the ground
His compeer stood erect as he drove With his
arms akimbo, he shouted most Justify at the mis-
fortune Of his chief But his triumph was short,
for his horses made curve in an opposite direc-
ton; the ncap Of his wagon was safely anchored
in the side Of the barn and our hero pitched out
instanter. These and sundry other amusing Incl
dents only served to keep up the spirits of the in
jured party until the other and more soothing APP
plieations could be administered.
The trial Of this case lasted one week and was
hotly contested. The testimony Of the plaintiff at
former trials, chiefly in Justices Courts, was the
Of the merits Of the performance, may be permit
ted to say that the twelve men for whose especial
benefit the play was acted, found that the plaintiffs
reputation was injured to the amount Of one dollar.
The plea in justification which alleged perjury at
the trial Of John Corkins before the Court of Com
mon Pleas at Greenfield. il not sustained, was
thought by six Of the aforesaid twelve to lack but
a shaving, they being in favor Of verdict for the
defendant. The costs in the case on both sides,
taxable and otherwise amounted to over $1,000, of
which the plaintiff pays all but dollar Of his
own, and the defendant the remainder, or about
one third Of the whole.
The denouement Of this suit furnishes another
happy illustration of the beneficial effects of kind
ness Of feeling and goodness Of spirit in allaying
the heartburnings and in softening the asperides
too often engendered by litigation. Immediately
upon the rendition Of the verdict the plaintiff put
up the two dollars he had recovered-one for dam
ages to his character and another for eosts-to
which each party added half dollar more. The
amount was spent for balm Of which the parties
and such Of their witnesses aud attorneys as would,
participated until the whole was consumed. Under
the influence Of the happy frame Of mind thus en-
gendered the plaintiff buried the Ratchet, burned
their papers and shook hands, agreeing to be fast
friends The carriages were brought and their
friends piled in without regard to rank or prece-