Volcano weekly ledger. (Volcano, Amador County, Cal.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-19

circulated reports UNANIMOUSLY preudica to
the character of the woman who had already
suffered much wrong at his hands She bro't
her suit for SANDER. And thus two cases one
criminal and the other civil, and both out
Of the same tradgey, were pending in the
circuit court for 1910
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, on the Indictment for murder,
ended on the 9Th Of April with the acquittal
of Hopkins. Such result might have well
been foreseen, by comparing the talents on
either side. The Texean lawyers were utter
ly overwhelmed by the arguments and elo-
qucnce of their opponents 1t was fight
of dwarfs against giants
The SANDER suit was set Of for the 9th, and
the throng of spectators grew in numbers as
well as ecitement, and what may seem more
strange the current Of public sentiment now
ran decidedly for Hopkins. His money had
procured pointed witnesses, who served most
efficiently as powerful advocates. Indeed, so
triumphantly had been the success of the
previous day, that when the SANDER case was
called, Mary Eliston was left without an at
torney-they had all withdrawn. The pgmy
pettyfoggers dared not brave again the sharp
wit of Pike, and the scathing thunder of
| Prentiss
"Have You no counsel ~ inquired Judge
Mills looking kindly at the plaintiff.
No sir, they have all deserted me, and
am too poor to employ any MORE" replied
the beautiful Mary bursting into tears
"In such case will not some chvarous
member of the profession volunteer" asked
the Judge glancing around the bar.
| The thirty lawyers were silent as death.
Judge Mills repeated the question.
II will your honor" said voice from the
thckest part OF the crowd, situated behind
the bar.
| At the tones of that voice many started
half way from their seats and perhaps there
was not heart in the immense throng which
did not beat something quicker-it was so
unearthly sweet, clear, ringing and mournful.
| The first sensation, however, was changed
into general laughter, when tall gaunt spec
trail figure, that nobody present ever remem-
bered to have seen before, elbowed his way
through the crowd, and PLACID himself within
the bar His appearance was problem to
puzzle the sphinx her self. His pale high
brow, and small, nevertheless twitching face,
seemed alive with the concentrated essence
and cream Of genius but then his infantle
blue eyes hardly visable beneath their mas
sive arches, looked dim, dreamy, almost un-
conscious, and his clothing was so exceedingly
shabby that the court hesitated to let the
case proceed under his management
HAS your name been entered on the rolls
of the State 2" demanded the Judge suspi-
ciously
at is immateral about my names being
placed on your rolls" answered the stranger,
his thin bloodless lips curling up into sheer.
81 may be allowed to appear once by the
courtesy Of the court and bar. Here is my
license from the highest tribunal in America"
and he handed Judge Mills broad parch-
ment.
The trial Immediately went on.
In the examination of witnesses the stran-
ger evnced but little ingenuity as was com
monty thought He suffered one to tell his
own story without interruption, though he
contrived to make each one to tell it over
two or three times He put few cross ques-
tons, which, with keen witnesses, only serve
to correct mistakes and he made no notes
which in mighty memories, always tend to
embarrass The examination being ended, as
counsel for the plaintiff he had a right to the
opening speech, as well as the close but TO
the establishment of every one he declined the
| former, aud allowed the defence to lead OFF
Then shadow might have been observed to
fit across the fine features of Pike and to
darken even the bright eyes of Prentiss.--
They saw that they had caught Tarter but
what it was or how it happened, it was inn
possible to guess.
Col Ashley spoke first. He dealt the jury
dish of that close, dry logic, which years
afterwards rendered him famous in the Senate
of the United States.
The poet, Albert Pike, followed with a
rich strain of wit and half torrent of caustic
rdcule, in which you may be sure neither the
plaintiff nor the plaintiffs ragged attorney
were forgotten or spared.
The great Prentiss concluded for the defen-
dant with glow of gorgeous words, brilliant
as showers of falling stars, and with final
burst of oratory that brought the house down
in cheers, in which thesworn jury themselves
Joined, Notwithstanding the stern order 7
order of the bench. Thus wonderfully
susceptible are the southwestern people TO
the charmes of eloquence.
1t was then the strangers turn He had
remained apparently distracted duringall the
previous speeches. Still and straight and
motionless in his seat, his pale, smooth fore
head shooting high like mountain cone of
snow, but for the eternal twitch that came
and went perpetually in his sallow cheeks,
~ L I. A. 4