Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-08-27
From the Il. @. PicaYnne
The Last Item ln Il Bill of Costs.


There has long been buttoned up in the memory of
certain denzens of the delightful suburban town of Car
rollton, legend concerning certain bill of costs in
case before of the Courts Of the place. which has
lately been released from Imprisonment, and which
seems to us to contain material for small sized story
Disclaiming any sentiment towards Mr.. Spif1es, the
hero who figured in the transaction but admiration for
his brilliant genius have hesitation in placing
record another important instance illustrative of the
widely popular fact that things can be done well
as others
Owing to the large curve and heavy current of the
river opposite Carroton, large number of timber RATS
are drawn in to the evee against the wishes of their
gineers WHILE at the time, many of these nstitu
tOns are landed there for SALE In the latter category
was the particular raft to which small sized story
has reference and which was commanded by Captain
Jeptha Wabash he being both commander and half
owner Capt w. had not been long in Carrolton be-
fore he became afflicted with that terrible maady,
combination of untoward circumstances and the result
his becoming involved in lawsuit
The captain was still further unfortunate in having
judgment rendered against him. and in due tme the raft
on which he had foated proudly into port, very
extensively seized by very indeatigabe officers of the
court. Wabash swelled with indignation as he saw an
Unlocking 60 aboard of his sticks and tie them up
they had not been tied before by means of paper
which he carried in his lett coat-ta pocket He men
tally proposed to himself to 60 aboard, do the looking
man moderate amount of personal damage, and then
spill him into the river. But that detestabe paper
in the way and Capt Jeptha Wabash choked his great
wrath with mouthful of pig-tail.' He would keep
them out of the money as long he could, any way
but the Captain dreamed not what he was preparing
for himself when he made this resolution.
The savage mood lasted Wabash several days. when
reflection convinced him that the fight altogether
onesided one and he resolved to pay up. In carrying
out his pous resolution the worthy captain became pain
fully conscious of the expense of getting indignant at
legally rendered udg dgment but he had become admira
bly, good-natured and philosophical and murmured al
nothing. The bill of costs rendered in one granC
total and it paid without objections ard everything
seemed finally disposed Of But the next day. it struck
the captain he again looked at the grand total of tina
bill, that his partner might want to study into some
its particulars, he aghtway proceeded to the Office
of Sples and representing this state of the case, hum
bly, requested bill of items "Of course he could have
it. Very happy to accommodate him., and there forth
with rained down upon virgin sheet of fooscap such
shower of items that Capt. Jeptha was struck with
amazement and involuntary admiration for the beauties
and intricacies of judicial machinery.
The seizure Of the raft constabes keeper of the raft
same man going twice day to about the raft ropes
to hold the raft keeping general look out for the raft
&c. &C., all duly set down, and yet the total fel
ten dollars short of the amount named in the rounC
bill" Spiffles was puzzled, and Wabash looked with
the air of resigned to his ate and Indifferent tC
all small matters Spffies stood in need of item
the latter being powerfully necessary to establish prop
degree of uniformity between the two bills, and hi
leaned back in his chair, and nervously scratched hi
head. He certain he had forgotten somethtng-
Suddenly the face of Sples is lighted up with lool
of intense satisfaction he dashes his pen into the ink
stand and addressing himself in a rather harsh manner
wonders that he could have overlooked those two men,
Spitfes trumphantly completes the bill follows
"To services OF two men, two days, at two dollar
and half per day, pumping out rGtt ten dollars"
Wabash was speeches, and with his eyes fixed upo
that last item in his BILL he gradually disappeared
a corner entirely absorbed in incomprehensibity.