Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-11
A LAWYERS ADVENTURE.

About three or four years ago, more or less,
was practising law in Illinois on pretty
large circuit. | was called IN one day in my
office, in the town Of c., by very pretty
woman, who, not without tears, told me her
husband had been arrested fol horse-stealing.
She wished TO retain me on the defence. ask
ed her why she did not go to Judge b.. an ex-
Senator of the United States, whose office was
in the same town. told her that ! was a
young man at the bar, &c. She mournfllly
said that he had asked retaining fee above her
means, and besides did not want to touch the
case, for her husband was suspected of belong
ing TO an extensive band Of horse thieves and
counterfeiters, whose headquarters were on
Moores prairie.
asked her to tell me the whole truth ofthe
matter, and if it was true that her husband did
belong TO such band 7
"Ah, SIR" said she, "a better man at heart
than my George never lived but he liked cards
and drink, and | am afraid they made him do
what he never would have done if he had not
drank fear that it can be proved that he had
the horse he didn't steal it; another did, and
passed it TO him.
| didn't like the case. | knew that there
was a great dislike TO the gang located where
she named, and feared TO risk the case before
| jury. She seemed 10 observe my intention
refuse the case, and burst into tears
| never could see woman weep without feel
ing like a weak fool myself If it hadn't been
for eyes frightened by "pearly tears" (bast
the poets that made them to come into fashion
by praising 'em,) Id never been caught in the
asso of matrmony. And my would-be client
was pretty. The handkerchief tha: hid her
streaming eyes didn't hide her ripe lips, and
her snowy bosom rose and fell like white
gull in gale of wind at sea. | took the case
and she gave me the particulars.
The gang, of which he was not member,
had persuaded him to take the horse. He
knew the horse was stolen, and like fool ac-
knowledged it when he was arrested. Worse
still-he had trimmed the horses tail and name
to alter his appearance, and the opposition could
prove it,
The trial came on worked hard TO get
jury Of ignorant men, who had more heart than
brain. Who ifthey could not fathom the depths
of argument, or follow the labyrinthine mazes
of the law, could feel for young fellow in
bad fix, a weeping, pretty wife, nearly broken
hearted, and quite distracted. Knowing the
use of "effect," told her to dress in deep
mourning, and bring her little cherub of boy,
only three years old into court and TO sit as
near her husband as the officer would let her.
| tried that game once in murder case, and
weeping wife and sister made jury render
verdict against law, evidence and the judges
charge, and saved fellow that ought 10 have
been hung as high as Haman.
The prosecution opened very bitterly; in
Weighed against thieves and counterfeiers, who
had made the land a terror to strangers and
travellers, and who had robbed every farmer in
the region Of their finest horses. 1t introduced
witnesses and proved all and more than fear
ed it would.
The time came for me TO rise for defence.
Witnesses-l had none. But | determined 10
make an effort-only hoping so to interest The
Judge and jury as TO secure recommendation
to gubernational cemency and light sentence.
So painted this picture. A young man en-
tered into life welded to an angel beautiful in
person. possessing every gentle and noble attri
butte. Temptation was before and all around
him. He kept tavern. Guests there were
busnets they were we'll dressed made large
bills and paid promptly. At an unguarded
hour, when he was insane with the liquor they
urged upon him, he had deviated from the path
of recttude The demon of alcohol reigned in
his brain; and it was his first offence Mercy
pleaded for another chance to save him from
ruin. Justice did not require that his young
wife should go down sorrowing to the grave,
and that the shadow of disgrace and the taunt
of feon father should cross the path of that
sweet child. Q, how earnestly did plead for
them. The woman wept the husband did the
same the Judge fidgetted and rubbed his eyes :;
The jury looked melting. If could have had
the closing speech he would have been cleared
but the prosecution had the close, and threw
ice on the fire had kindled. But they did
not quite put it out.
The Judge charged according to law and ev-
idence, but evidently leaned on the side of mer-
, cy. The jury found verdict of guilty, but
unanimously recommended the prisoner 10 the
mercy of the court. My client was sentenced
to the shortest Imprisonment the court was en-
powered 10 give, and both jury and court sign
ed a petition 10 the Governor for an uncondi-
f tional pardon, which has since been granted,
but not before the following incident occurred
Some three months after this, received an
account for collection from wholesale house
n New York. The parties 10 collect from
! were hard ones, but they had property, and be-