Litchfield enquirer., 1856-01-10
NisceiIapy.
An EscApaDE IN THE WEST.

l
circuit. Twas cslIld on one day in my
Office in the town Of p, BY q very pretty
woman, who, MOI 1ithout tears, told me
that her husband had been arrested foI
horse stealing. She wished to retain me
on the defence. asked her why she didn',
90 to Judge B., an ex-senator of the
! United States, whose Office was in the
same town. Told her that was young
hand at the bar, &c.
She mournfuIly said that he asked re-
tanning fee beyond her means, and, besides
did not want TO touch the case, for her hus-
band was suspected Of belonging to an ex.
tensive band Of horse thieves and counter
FILTERS, whose head quarters were on Moors's
| Prairie.
| asked her TO tell me the truth about the
matter, and il il was true that he did be-
long TO such gang.
| "Ah, sir" said she. !" a better man at
heart than my George never lived but he
liked cards and drink. and fear they have
made him do what he never would have
done If he had not drank: I'm afraid il
can be proved that he had the horse, but
he didn't steal it, another did and passed is
70 him -
! didn't like the case. knew that there
was great dislike to the gang located
where she named, and feared TO risk the
case before a jury. She seemed TO observe
my intention 10 refuse the case, and burst
into tears.
never could see woman weep, without
feeling like a weak fool myself. Ii it
hadn'i been for eyes frightened with .pearly
tears (confound the poet that made 'em
come in fashion by praising 'em,) I'D have
never been caught in the lasso Of mairimo-
ny. Aud my would.be client was pretty.
The handkerchief that hid her streaming
eyes, didn't hide her red, ripe lips, and her
snowy bosom rose and fell like a white
gull in gale of wind at sea. lcouldn't
stand il. agreed to take the case; she
gave me all the particulars.
The gang, Of which he was not men,
Der, had persuaded him TO take the horse.
He knew the horse was stolen, and, like
fool, acknowledged i, when he was arrest
ed. Worse still, had trimmed the horses
tail and name TO alter his appearance, and
the prosecution could pfove il.
The trial came on. ! worked hard 10 get
a jury Of ignorant men, who had more
heart than brains, who IL they couIdn',
fa,hom the depth OF argument, or follow
the tabyripthine mazes Of the law, could
feel for a young fellow in bad scrape who
had a weeping. pretty wife, nearly broken
hearted and quite distracted. knowing
the use Of effect told her to dress in
deep mourning, and 10 bring her little
cherub Of boy, curly haired and only
three years old, into court, and 10 sit as
near her husband as the officers would let
her. tried that game once in murder
case, and weeping VITA aud sister made
u jury render verdict against law evidence,
and the judges charge. and saved fellow
that ought 70 have been hung as high as
Haman.
The prosecution opened very bitterly,
inveighsd Uains. the thieves and counter
letters who had made the land terror TO
strangers aud gavellers. and had robbed
every farmer in the region Of their finest
horses Il introduced Witnesses who proved
all aud more than feared they would.
The time came for me TO rise for the de-
fence. Witnesses, had none! But
was determined 10 make one efiort-only
hoping so to interest the Judge and jury az
TO secure an universal Recommendation TO
gubernatoTial clemency and light sentence.
So painted this picture:
A young man entering into lie. welded
10 an angel, beautiful in person. possessing
every virtue, every gentle and noble atiEi.
butte. Temptation was before and all
around him. He Kept tavern; guests,
there were many-it was not for him TO
inquire into their business; they were
well dressed, made large bills, and paid
promptly. A. an unguard.d hour, when he
was insane with the liqu4 which they had
urged upon him, he had deviated from the
path Of rectitnde. He was not himself at
the tims. The demon OF alcohol reigned
in his brain; and il was his first offence.
Mercy plead for another chance to save him
iron, ruin. Justice did not require his
sacrifice. Nor, did II require that his swee,
wife should 70 sorrowing down 10 the
grave, and that the shadow Of Disgrace. or
the taunt Of fei6n father. should fall
across the sunny pathway Of that sweet
child. Oh, how earnestly did plead Tor
them. The woman wept, her husband did
the same--,he Judge 6dgesed and rubbed
his eyes--.he jury looked melting. II I
could have closed, he would have been
cleared; but the Prosecution had the close.
and threw ice on che fire kindled. but they
did mol put Il quite out.
The Judge charged according 10 law and
evidence. but evidently leaned on the side
of mercy. The jury found verdict Of
guilty, bot unanimously commended the
prisoner 10 the clemency Of the Court
My client was sentenced TO the shortest inn
pfisonmeus the Court was empowered "a
give and both Jury and Court signed 4
petition 20 the Governor for an uncondition.
| ii pardon. which has since been granted,
hus acs before she following incijess %.
lcarped:
| Some three months afaer this. I had m
Iscconnt Tor collection from q whoIes.le
house In New York. The parties soeoIieel
from were hard ones,s bas iley Ina rsoper.
| y, and hefpss They had IN idisa &c shs srav
laid. had she property, which they ven
shout 10 assian before ihey broke under AZ
lachmsnI Finding that .was ! aect
ahead. and bound 10 wia. they cased, sal
paid oyer shee shonsaad ssven handred ana
lninesy- dollxrs md eighissa cents, (pe,
memogandnm heok) u cssssn1 uaouny =
4 Tier lised n 6hawneet0wn, ohnat IS q
Il N .-s1nn a<nek.nona ~ Mansntn U~.svsn