Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-26
A LAWYERS ADVENTURE.

A LAWYERS ADVENTURE.
About three or four years ago, more or less,
was practising law in Illinois, in a pretty
large circuit. was called on one day in my
Office, in the town ofC-, by an elderly woman,
who, not without tears, told me her husband
had been arrested for horse stealing. She
wished to retain nae on the defence. / asked
her why she did not go to Judge B., an ex-sen-
stor of the United States, whose office was in
the same town. told her L was young man
at the bar, &c. She mournfully replied that
be had asked retaining fee above fer means,
and besides did not want to touch the case, for
her husband was suspected of belonging to an
extensive band of horse-thieves and counter
feiters, whose headquarters were on Moore's
prairie. I asked her to tell me the whole
truth in the matter, and if it were true her
husband did not belong to such band
'Ah, sir," said she, ssa 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 it can be proved that
he had the horse; he didn't steal it; another
did, and passed it to him.
was great dislike to the gang located where
she named, and feared to risk the case before
jury. She seemed to observe my intention
to refuse the case, and burst into tears.
could never woman weep without feeling
like weak fool myself. If it hadn't been for
eyes frightened by s:pearly tears,'' (blast the
poets that made them come in fashion by prais-
ing 'eml Ia never have been caught in the
iasso of matrimony. And my would be client
vas pretty. The handkerchief that 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. 1 took the case,
ana she gave me the particulars. The gang,
of which he was not member, had persuaded
Lin to take the horse. He knew the horse
uas stolen. and like fool, acknowledged it
when lie was arrested. Worse still, he had
cnt the horses tail and name to alter his ap-
pearance, and the opposition could prove it.
The trial came on. l worked hard to get
jury of ignorant men, who had more heart than
brain; who, if they could not fathom the depths
of the argument, follow the labrinthine
nlazes of the law; could feel for a young fell
low in bad fix, and weeping, pretty wife,
nearly broken-hearted, and quite distracted
Knowing the use of sseffect,'' told her to
dress in deep mourning, and bring her little
cherub of boy, only three years old, into
Court, and sit az near her husband as the Off
GERS would let her. 1 tried that game once in
a murder case, and a weeping wife and sister
made c jury render verdict against law, ev-
idence and the judges charge, and saved a
-,c.,r faI1ov hat ou0bf fo hove hoau bunp @
high as Haman.
The prosecution opened very bitterly, in
weighed against thieves and counterfeiters,
vho had made the land terror to strangers
and travellers, and who had robbed every farm
er in the region Of his finest horses. 1t intro
.duced witnesses, and proved all and more than
thought It would. The time came for me TO
rise for defence. Witnesses had none, but 1
determined to make an effort, only hoping so
Recommendation to gubcrnatorial clemency,
and light sentence. So painted this pic
ture: A young man just entered into life,
welded to an angel, beautiful in person, pos
sessing every gentle and noble attribute
Temptation was before and around him. He
kept tavern. Guests there were many; it
was not for him to inquire into their business !;
they were welI-dressed made large bills and
paid them promptly. At an unguarded hour,
when be was insane with the liquor they urged
upon him he had deyiated from the path of rec
tisude. The demon Of alcohol had reigned in
his brain and it was his first offence. Mercy
,leaded for smother chance to save him from
rim. Justice did not require that this young
Vile should now 60 down sorrowing to the
grave, and that the shadow Of disgrace, and the
s-aat of a felon father, should cross the path
of that sweet child. Oh, how earnestly did
plead for them. The woman wept; the hus-
band did the same; the judge fdgetted and
-lbted his eyes; the jury looked melting. II
could have had the closing speech, he would
have been cleared but the prosecutor had the
close, and threw ice on the fire had kindled |;
but they did not quite put it out.
iAe judge charged according to law and ev-
ldence, but evidently leaned on the side of
mercy The jury found verdict of guilty,
put unanimously recommended the prisoner to
the mercy of the court. My client was sem
sencsd to the shortest imprisonment the court
vas empowered to give, and both jury and