Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-23
litrrarp Selections.
THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.
A TALE OF TEXAS.

AT an early hour on the 4th of April.
1910, the Court House in Clarksville
Texas, was crowded to overhowing. Save
in war times past, there had never been
witnessed such a gathering in Red River
county, while the strong feeling apparent
on every flushed face throughout the
assembly beiokened some great occasion.
A concise narrative of facts will sufficient
ly explain llse matter.
About the close of 1889, George Hop
kins, one of the wealthiest planters and
most influential men of northern Texas,
offered gross insult to Mary Ellison,
the young and beautiful wife of the chief
overseer.. The husband threatened to
chastise him for this outrage; whereupon
Hopkins loaded his gun, went to Ellison's
house, and shot him in his own door. The
murderer was arrested, and bailed TO
answer the charge. The occurrence
produced intense excitement, and Hop
kins, in order to turn the tide of public
opinion, or at least 10 mitigate the general
wrath, which was at first violent against
him, circulated reports UNANIMOUSLY pre-
judicial to the Woman who had already suf-
cred such cruel wrongs at his hands, that
she brought her suit for SANDER. And
thus two suits, one criminal and the other
civil, aud both of the same tragedy, were
pending in the April Circuit Cour;, 1910.
The interest naturally felt by the com
munity, as to the issues, was far deeper
when it was known that Ashly and Pike
of Arkansas and the celebrated SIS. Prem
It's, 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 8th of April, with acquital
of Hopkins. Such results might have
been forseen, by comparing talent of the
counsel engaged on either side. The
Texan lawyers were completely over
whelrned by the argument and eloquence
of their opponents. 1t was fight OF
dvarfs against giants.
The SANDER suit was set down for the
9th and the throng of spectators grew in
number as well as excitement and what
may seem strange, the current OF public
sentiment ran now decidedly for Hopkins.
His money had procured perjured VII
nesses, who served most efficiently his
powerful advocates. Indeed so trium-
phant had been the success of the pre-
vious day, that when the slander case was
called, Mary Ellison was left without an
attorney---they had all withdrawn. The
piganny pettiioggers dare not brave again
the sharp wit of Pike and the scathing
wit Of Prentiss.
Have you no counsel ?" asked Judge
Mills looking 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 a case, will not some chival-
rous memberof the profession volunteer ?
asked the Judge, glancing around the
bar.
The thirty lawyers weresilent as death.
81 win, your honor" said voice from
the thickest part of the crowd situated be-
hind the bar. At the tone Of that voice
many started half way from their seats
and perhaps there was not in the room
any one whose pulse did not beat quicker
lit was SO unearthly sweet, clear, ring
ing and mournful.
The first sensation, however, wa,
changed TO general laughter, when tall
gaunt figure, that nobody present remem
bered ever to have seen before, elbowec
his way through the crowd, and placed
himself within the bar. His appearance
was problem to puzzle the pink her
self His high, pale brow, and small
nervous twitching face, seemed aliv,
Win concentrated essence and creams o
genius bat then his infantile blue ewes
barely visible beneath their massive
arches looked dim and drcary, almos
unconsc'oas, and his clothing was ST
exceedingly shabby, that the court hes;
tated 70 lei the case proceed under hi
management.
Has your name been entered on tn
roll OF this State ?" demanded the Judo
suspiciously.
1t is immaterial about my name be
ing on y0ur rolls" answered the stranger
his thin, bloodless lip curling up with
iendish eneer. Il may be allowed t
appear once, by the courtesy of the coul
attlae bar. Here is my license from tn
highest Tribunal in America and h
handed Judge Mills broad parchment
The trial Immediately went on.