Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-11
AN ADVENTURE IN THE WEST.
BY THE /" uNKsowN." !"

pretty large circuit was called On In
my Office one day IN the town of c., by
very pretty woman, who, not without
tears, told me that her husband had been
arrested for horse stealing. She wished
to retain me on the defence. asked her
why she didn't go to Judge D. an ex-
Senator of the United States, whose office I
was in the same town. Told her was a |
young hand at the bar, &c.
She mournfully said that he asked re-
tanning fee beyond her means, and besides |
did not want to touch the case. Her hus-
band was suspected of belonging to ex-
tensive band Of horse thieves and counter
feiters whose headquarters were on Moor's
prairie.
asked her to tell me the truth about
the matter, and if it was true that he did
belong to such gang.
sAh, SIR" said she, g a better man at
heart, than my George, never lived; but he
liked cards and drink, and fear they've
made him do what he never would have
done if he had not drank! I'm afraid it
can be proved that he had the horse, but
he didn't steal it j, another did and passed
it to him!"
| I didn't like the case. | knew that
there was great dislike to the gang loca-
ted where she named, and feared to risk
the case before jury. She seemed to OBJ
serve my intention to refuse the case, and
she burst into tears.
| l never could see woman weep with
out feeling IKE a weak fool myself. If it
hadn't been for eyes frightened with ''pear-
lytears"- blast the poet that made 'cm come
in fashion by praising ENID have never
been caught in the lasso of matrimony
And 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 white gull in a
gale of wind at sea. couldn't stand it /;
| agreed to take the case; she gave me all
the particulars.
The gang, of which he was not mem
[ber, had persuaded him to take the horse
He knew the horse was stolen, and, like a
fool, acknowledged it when he was arrest
ed. Worse still--had trimmed the horses
tail and name to alter his appearance, and
the prosecution could prove it.
/ The trial came on. worked hard to
get jury of ignorant men, who had more
heart than brains, who, if they could no,
fathom the depth of argument, to follow
the labarynthine mazes of the law, could
feel for young fellow in bad scrape,
who had weeping, pretty wife, nearly
broken hearted and quite distressed
Knowing the use of " effect" told her to
dress in deep mourning, and bring her lit
tie cherub of boy, curly haired and only
three years old, into court, and to sit as
near her husband as the officers would let
her. I tried that game once In murder
case, and weeping wife and sister made a
Jury render verdict against law, evidence
and the judges charge, and saved fellow
that ought to have been hung as high as
Haman.
4
inveighed against the thieves and counter.
feiters who had made the land terror to
strangers and travellers, and hadrobbed ev-
cry farmer in the region of their fines.
horses. 1t introduced witnesses who prov
ed all and more than feared they would
i The time came for me to rise for the de-
fence. Witnesses-I had none! But
was determined to make one effort-only
hoping so to interest the Judge and jury as
TO secure universal recommendation tc
gubernational clemency and light sen.
tence. So oIpainted this picture. A young
man entering into life, welded to an angel
beautiful IN person, possessing every vir.
tue, every gentle and noble attribute
Temptation was before and all around him
He kept a tavern. Guests, there were
many-it was not for him to inquire init
their business-they were well dressed
n made large bills and paid promptly. Altar
unguarded hour, when he was insane witt
the liquor which they had urged upon him
he had deviated from the path of rectitude
He was not himself at the time. The de
mon of alcohol reigned in his brain. AM
it was his first offence. Mercy pleade'
for another chance to save him from ruin
Justice did not require his sacrifice. No
did it require that his sweet wife should s.
down sorrowing to the grave, and that tn,
shadow OF disgrace. or the tauns of fallel
father should fall across the sunny pathwa,
of that sweet child. Oh, how earnestl,
did / plead for them-the woman weps. he
husband did the ssme-the judge fidget