The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1857-08-07
Sslstt Sturp.
A Lawyers Adventure.

About three or four years ago, more
or less, | was practising law in Illinois
on a pretty large circuit. was called
on one day in my office. in the twon Of
C. by a very pretty woman, who,
not without tears, told me her husand
had been arrested for horse ste alng,-
She wished TO retain me on the defense. :.
asked her why she did NOT go to Judge,
b., an ex-senator OF the United States,
whose office was in the same town.
cold her that was young man at the
bar, etc. She mournlully said that he
had asked a retaining fee above her
means, and besi les did not want to
touch the case; for her husband was
suspected Of belonging to an extensive
band Of horse thieves and counterfeit.
ers, whose head. quarters were on
Moof's prairie.
asked her to tell me the whole
truth OF the matter, and If it was true
that her husband did belong TO such a
band?
"Ah, SIR" said she "a better man at
hear, than my George never lived; but
he liked cards and drink, and ] am
afraid they made him do Whist he never
would have done If he had not drank
fear that i. can be proved that he ha |
the horse; he didn't steal it; another did,
and passed it to him.
didn't like the case. knew that
there was great dislike to the gang
located where she named, and feared
to risk tie case, before a jury. She
seemed to observe my intention to re
fuse the case, and burst into tears.
lnevrr could see woman weep with
out feeling like weak fool my self. II
i, hadn't been for eyes frightened BY
"pearly tears" (blast the poets thar
made them to come in fashion by prais
ing 'em,) III never been caught in tn,
lasso Of matrimony. And my would.b,
client was pretty.-The handkerchie
that hid her streaming eyes didn't hid,
her red lips, and her snowy bosom ros'
and fell like white gull in a gale o
wind at sea. took the case and sh,
gave me the particulars.
The gang, OF which he was not
member had persuaded him 10 take tn
horse. He knew, thst il was stolen
and like fool acknowledged it whel
ne was arrested. Worse slill--he hat
trimmed the horses tail and name 10 al
ter his appearance, and the opposition
could prove it.
The trial came on. worked har
to get 4 jury oi Ignorant men, who ha'
more heart than brain. Who il lhey
could not falhom the depts OF argumen,
or follow the laby rint hine masses o
the law. could feel for a young fellow
in bad fix, weeping, pretty vile
nearly broken hearted, and quite dis
uactsd. Knowing the use Of "effect,
I told her to dress in deep mourning
and bring her little cherub OF a boy
only three years old, into court, and L
sit as near her husband as the Office
would lot her.-I tried that game ono
in murder case, and weeping wife an
sister made q jury render a verdic
against law evidence and the Judge
charge, and saved fellow that ough
to have been hung as high as Hamar
The prosecution opened very biuerl!
inveighed against thieves and counter
feiters, who had made tho land terro
to strangers and travellers, and who ha
robbed every farmer in the region {
their finest horses. IL introduced wi
nesses and proved all and more than
feared they would.
The time came for me to rise for d,
(snse. Witnessss-I had none. b.
| determined to make an effort-onl
hoping to interest the Judge and jury $
as to secure recommendation to gul
srnatorial clemency and light sci
tence.
So ! painted this picture. A your
man entered into life welded to an al
gel; beautiful in person, possessing g
cry geatle and noble attribute. Tenn
tation was before and all round hir
He kept a tavern. Guests there we
many; il was not for him to inquire in
their business; they were we'll dresse
made large bills and paid promptly.
an ungusrdsd hour, whom he was i
sane with the liquor they urged upt
him. he had deviated from the path
tsctitude. The demon OF alcahol rsig
I'D in his brain; and it was his first q
fenss. Mercy pleaded for anoth
chance 10 save him from ruin. Justi
did not require that his youngo wi
should go down sorrowing 10 the grav
and that the shadow Of disgrace al
the taunt Of felon father should Gro
che path Of that sweet child. o, he
earnestly did | pl1ad for them. T.
woman wspt; the husband did the sam
the Judge fdgeted and rubbed his eye
the jury looked melting. II | could ha
had the closing speech he would ha
6ssn clsrred; but the prosecution h
she close. and threw ice on the fir,
had kindlsd. But they did not qu
''; Tss Jury yEsS shss.Ss.a ad .s!S.dGial asGa to |.
and evidence, but evidently leaned