Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-27
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST y, 1858


THE LAST ITEM IN A BILL OF COSTS,
There has long been butt ned up in the
memory Of oertsin denisers of the delightful
suburban town Of Carrolton. a legend con-
oerning certain bill Of costs in acase before
one Of the courts Of the place, which has late
" been released from imprisonment, and
which seems to rs to contain material for 9
small sized story. Disnlaimipg any sent
neota towards Mr.. Spifles, the hero who Jig
xred in the Transaction, but admiration for MS
brilliant genios. We have no hesitation in
placing on record another important instance
illustrative Of the widely popular fact the,
some tbiDgs can be done ss we'll as others
lOsieg 20, tho large curve and heavy cur
rent Of the river opposite Casrolton, large
number of timber RATS are drawn in to the
levee, seaiust the wishes Of their engineer,
while, at the same time, many of these insii-
tutions are landed there for sale. 10 the lat
ter category was the particular raft to which
our small sized story has reference, and
which was commanded by Captain Jeptba
Wabssh-he being both commander and bali
owner. Capt. W. had not been long 10 Car
rollton before he became ah cted with that
terrible malady, combination of untoward
circumstances, aud the result was hio bscom-
ing Involved 10 a Law suit.
The Captain Was still further unfortunate
il having judgment rendered against bin,
and in due time, the raft on which be had
fosted 90 proudly into port. was very exten-
sively seized by every indefatigable officer OF
the Court. Wabash swelled with iudigaa-
ton o. he cav an Unlocking man 90 aboard
OF bis sticks aud tie them up, as they had not
been tied before, by meAns of q paper which
he carried in his lett cOat-tsii pocket. lie
mentally proposed to himself to go aboard.
do the ill-lookiog man moderate amount OF
personal damage, and then spill him into the
river, Bot that detachable paper was 10 the
way, and Captain Jepths Wabash choked bis
great wrath With moutbful Of "pig-ta,l. -
He would keep them out OF the money as long
a be could any way; but the Captain dreamed
not What be vas preparing for himself when
he made this resolution.
The savage mood lasted Wabash several
daya, when reflection convinced him tt at the
fght was altogether onesided one, and be
resolved to pay up. In carrying GU. this
pions resolution, tho worthy captain became
painfullu conscious Of the expense OF getting
indignant at legally rendered jud sment
bot be bad become admirably good uatured
ADD philosophical and mureured at nothing
The bill OF costs was rendered in one grand
total, ard it was paid without objection. aud
everything seemed finally disposed OF. Blu,
the next day, 1t struck the captain, as be again
looked at the grand total of that bill, that biz
partner might want to study into some ol its
particulars, 90 be straigbtway proceeded &c
the Gihce Of Spifaes, and, representing this
state of the case, humbly requested bill Of
items. sOf course DO could have 1t. Very
happy to accommodate him." and there forth.
With rained down u pom q virgin sheet OF fools
osp ouch q shower Of items that Capt Jeptha
wss struck With amusement and involuntary
admiration fov the beauties aud intricscies Of
judicial msebinery.
The seizure of the raft, conetable's keeper
Of the raft, same man going twice day 10
sec about the raft, ropes to bold the raft, &c,
&c., werc ell duly set down, and yet the total
fell $40 short of the amount named in the
"round bill" Spif1es was puzzled, and
Wabash look ed on with tie air OF man re-
siRned to bis fate, and Indifferent to all small
matters. Spifles stood in need OF an idea and
IN item; the latter being powerfully necessary
to establish . proper degree Of uniformity
between the two bills. and leaned back 10
bis chair, and nervously scratched his head
He was certain he had forgotten something
Suddenly the face Of Spifles is lighted up
with look of intense satisfaction; be dashes
bis pen into the inkstand, and addressing
himself in . rather harsh maner, wonders
that be could have overlooked those two
men." Spifles triumphantly completes the
bill a. follows,
ITO services of two men, two days, at 81 so
per dsy, pumping o,a rcf. $40"
Wabash vas speeehless, and Sitb biz eyes
fixed upon that last item 10 his bill, he grad
uslly disappeared around q corner. entirely
absor bed 10 incomprehensibilisy IN. U. nc