Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-18
[From Porter's Spirit of the Times.l
A TRIAL IN ARKA 4 :
BY PETER CASEY,

ONE of the chief pleasures of practising law,
on the frontier, is, as technically styled, going on
the circuit. All restraint is dofled good humor,
anecdote and merry laughter reign supreme
This is so whether on the long horse back rides,
seated in group around the hospitable country
fire. or in the amusing incidents of the court
room. 1t is of one of these courtroom incidents
that write.
In one of the eastern counties of Arkansas,
there lived, some years since, two limbs of the
law Vanmeter and Hedge Triplit The first was
q sober sided long faced collector, whose nvari-
able rule was to bring suit in one week (whe ther
the unfortunate friend or foe) after the claim
was put in his hands for collection. This course
brought all Of the plaintiffs to him, and as natu-
rally caused the defendants to blaspheme when
ever his name was mentioned. The second priced
a friend, and felt friendly to all defendants, whe-
thCr on the criminal or common law side OF the
docket was for any one who could smile aloud
with a gusto and were this not so, Nanmeter
was too much of q recluse, without any of the
milk of human Kindness and it afforded pecu-
liar pleasure to devil him.
Briton Ward gave his note, one day after
date, to Alanson Morehouse, administrator de
boHis non, Of the estate of Andrew Latting, de-
ceased, for two hundred and fifty dollars, for a
valuable consideration. Before the ink was fair
ly dry Nanmeter had ii in his hands, to collect
as an attorney. True to his precedents, the She
riff in less than week, was commanded to sum
mons Brit Ward to appear before the next term
of the Circuit Court to answer. After service,
the said Brit was in most doleful condition as
he went " bobbing around" to see what could
DC sol foot IN time for that execution wbich rere
a-cominq. He, after long time, saw Hedge
Triplt, aud stating the case, asked Hedge, " if
there were any consolatory law kivering that
case % - Oh, yes" said Hedge; "what will you
give me to get you out of it?' :" Well, sir, Mr.
Tripit, anything, anything youth say that's in
reason Just say what it is to be, and | am the
man to pay it."
4" Well, sir, it is an easy case, and if you will
promise to let me stop with you free of charge,
take good care of my horse and always have
something to warm man in winter, and cool
him in summer, I'll clear you of all right claim,
or demand against you for. or on account of the
aforesaid note"
Now, Mr. Triplit, just do it, and you can
board at my house the balance of time you and
all your consarns and I'll obligate myself to
have a little Of the critter, the last day in the
morning" With knowing wink, he turned off,
perfectly satisfied of Triplt's invncibiity, and
Of his consequent safety. Sufficient to the day
is the evil, and was as good a guide for Triplts
philosophy as a lover of ease would search for.
So no one was troubled any more about it for the
time.
Circuit Court came on grand jury empannel-
led. sworn, and charged State docket disposed
Of His honor, james Russell, on taking up the
civil docket, called out, " Alanson Morehouse,
administrator de bonis non of the estate Of An
drew Lattng deceased Us. Britton Ward-Debt
Vanmeter for plaintiff Triplit for defendant"
Vanmeter addressed the Court saying he sup
nosed no real defence would be made as the ac-
tion was upon note OF hand the defendant
was not an infant. nor hadn't been in law these
many days the note was not barred by the sta
tute of limitations, consideration was expressed
upon the face of the instrument it was mt on ac-
count of usurous or gaming transaction in
word there was no fraud about it, and no good
reason why the note should not have been long
since paid. And if your honor please, ask a
Mr Tripit thought, If his honor pleased, the
oontlemnn was somewhat too fast If he would
get himself slow enough for an Arkansdto dirt
road and take look at the papers In the case,
he would Gnd the general issue lled TO his
declaration. As to the gentleman aolilty 10
see what defence could be made, he, Mr.. T., had
nothing to do, but supposed he would rccollect it
as yiyidly as other defence hitherto made, of
which the gentleman but now enumerated so
plibly, but until hammered into him, was perfect
ly ignorant 4" If your honor please, ask Iu-
ry" Mr.. Vanmeter thought it useless waste OF
time Never mind, Mr.. Vanmeter, l know, or
think | know, how to manage my cases, ana wneh
desire your advice, will call Oh you for 1t. Yes,
sir as piteously as did the exhausted Roman
youth when struggling againt the angry Tiber,
upon his more stalwart companion. 30 (stretch-
ing out both hands towards his adversary, with
one foot in advance OF the other) never mind,
never mind Mr.. Vanmeter if your honor please,
| ask jury" While the sheriff was summoning
the jury, Mr. Yanmeter was carefully examining
the writ, the return upon it, the declaration and
seeing no fault, would have felt easy were 1t not
for that nonchaLancs of Triplit's having seen 1t
before, and felt its effects the same principle
that makes q burnt child dred the FIRE, caused
him to look wild
The jury Trre soon selected from among the