Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-31

-.
There has long been buttoned up in the mem.
DRY Of certain denizens Of the delightful su-
burban town OF Carrollton, q legend concerning
certain bill OF costs in case before one of the
courts Of the place, which has lately been re-
leased from imprisonment, and which seems to
us to contain material for small sized story.
Disclsiming any sentiment toward Mr. Spifles,
the hero who figured in the transaction, but
sdmiration for his brilliant genius, we have no
hesitation in placing on record another import
ant instance Illustrative of the widely-popular
fact that some things can be done as well as
others
Owing TO the large curve and heavy current
Of the river opposite Carrollton, large number
o. timber RATS are drawn in to the leyee against
the wishes Of their engineers, while at the same
time many Of these institutions are landed there
for sale. lin the latter category was the partic-
ular raft to which our small-sized story has ref
erence, and which was commanded by Captain
Jeptha Wabash, he being both commander and
half owner. Captain w. had not been long in
Carrollton, before he became afflicted with that
terrible malady, a combination of untoward
circumstances, and the result was his becoming
involved in a lawsuit.
The captain was still further unfortunate in
having judgment rendered against him, and in
due time the raft on which he had foated so
proudly into port, was very extensively seized
by very indefatigable officers of the court w.
swelled with indignation as he saw an ill-look-
ing man 60 aboard of his sticks and tie them
up, rs they had not been tied before, by means
ot paper which he carried in his left coat-tail
pocket. He mentally proposed to himself to 20
aboard, do the Unlocking man a moderate
amount OF personal damage, and then spill him
into the river. But that detestable paper was
IN the way, and Capt. Jeptha Wabash choked
his wrath with mouthful of "pig tail" He
would keep them out of the money as long as
he could, any way; but the captain dreamed
not what ne was preparing for himself when he
made this resolution.
The savage mood lasted Wabash several
days, when reflection convinced him that the
hight was altogether a one-sided one, and he
resolved to pay up. In carrying out his pious
resolution, the worthy captain became pain
fully conscious Of the expense Of getting indig-
na9t at a legally rendered Judgment, but he
had become admirably good natured and phi
losophlcal, and murmured at nothing. The
bill OF costs was rendered in one grand total
and 1t was paid without objections, and eyery.
thing seemed finally disposed Of But the next
day 1t struck the captain, as he again looked
at the grand total of that bill. that his partner
might want to study into some of its particu-
lars, so he straightwsy proceeded to the Office
of Spifhes, and representing this state of the
case, humbly requested a bill of items "Of
course he could have it. Very happy to ac-
commOdate him." and there forthwith rained
down upon a virgin sheet of foolscap such a
shower Of items that Capt. Jeptha was struck
with amazement and involuntary admiration
for the beauties and intricacies of judicial ma
chinery.
The seizure of the raft, constable's keeper of
the raft, same man going twice day to see
about the ran, ropes to hold the raft, keeping
ageneral look out for the raft, &C., DO, were
all duly set down, and yet the total fell ten
dollars short of the amount named in the
round BILL" Spifies was puzzled and Wa
bash looked on with the air Of a man resigned
to his fate, and Indifferent to all small matters
spitiss stood in need Of an item; the latter be-
ing powerfully necessary to establish a proper
degree Of uniformity between the two bills and
be leaned back in his chair and nervously
scratched his head. He was certain he had
forgotten something. Suddenly the face of
spifies is lighted up with look of intense sat
istaction; ne dashes his pen into the inkstand,
and addressing himself in a rather harsh man
ner, wonders that he could have overlooked
those two men" Spifles triumphantly COM
pletes the bill as follows:
To services Of two men, two days, at two
dollars and half per day, pumping out raft,
ten dollars"
Wabash was speechless, and with his eyes
hxed upon that last item in his bill, he gradu-
ally disappeared around corner, entirely alb
sorbed in incomprehensibility. o. Plea
gnHe.