Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-27
miscellaneous.
Tale Of the 10th Legion Of Virginia.
BY MEM. CON.

iI}sf-ISs. ~ - $t
Not many years ago, was a Law stu
dent in H, where circumstance once
occurred which not only gave me total
distaste for my profession, but was ultimate
y the cause Of my leaving it forever. Il
gave me horror for it, utterly .oyerwhel-
ming. 1 4 .sa sss:gs
It was August Court. The hot Summer
sun struck vertically downward upon the
roof ofthe building, so that neither respect
for judges or jury prevented the general
stripping of coats.
TWAS an intensely interesting case then
on trial. A murder too revolving in its
particulars, to even appear in print, had
been committed few months before. A
poor widow lady was found one night with
her throat open from ear to ear and a sus-
picion which had before strongly pointed
toward the prisoner at the bar, was now
fully proved on him-the fact that the. old
lady had several important deeds in her
possession, the acquisition Of which would
have been to the pecuniary advantage Of the
prisoner, the finding of these papers in his
room, and further, the fact that quantity
Of silver coin, much Of it very old Spanish
pieces, was found on his person, were con-
sidored strong corroborating proof. In
fact, the prisoner was already convicted
MAN. long ere his counsel attempted any
defense. The jury appeared so thorough
ly and unanimously against him, that they
we're little disposed to hear another speech
upon the subject; while the judge also in a
sleepy mood, was only wide awake enough
to cogitate in his mind the best form for
sentencing the desperate criminal before
him. 1854
This last individual was outwardly, at
least the most unconcerned person present.
Most of the time, his head was rested on the
railing before him or at other times, his
face would be buried in his hands, to shield
himself from the gaze of the curious and
impairment multitude around him. His
head ever hung down, and told Of spirit
once, perchance, brave and bold, but now
broken and crushed.
The commonwealth had not neglected to
follow the usual track upon this occasion,
and in this crushed spirit, had seen the
marks of conscious guilt. It would have
been the same, had he been innocent, for
the position itself and the disgrace attendant
upon it, were indeed causes for the manifest
and purest heart to shrink.
The prisoners counsel, George Green,
was little known He was morose, tact
turn man, never mingling in company
with pale face and a cold grey eye, which
at times was lit up with Satanic fires. He
confined himself closely to his apartments,
and when he did make his appearance, his
forbidding aspect made him an avoided
man.
Many were the stories, dire and dread,
circulated about this strange lawyer as he
was called; but they gave him little uneasi-
ness and in fact, the fear, and aversion
that existed toward him, appeared to be all
that was calculated to give him pleasure. =
That he noticed it, was sufficiently plain,
since. when the little groups Of children
whom he met, saw him, they would run
crouching to each other, and he would turn
upon them cold glance, and perhaps, a
smile of strange and horrid vacancy.
This was the first case he had attempted
to argue, and the fact added not little to
its attractions.
He came to the court with the bosom Of
his shirt thrown open, displaying a rough
and hairy breast. which was seen to heavt
up and down, with the storm of emotions
conflicting within. He was accompanied
by lank, yet powerful greyhound, al
repulsive as his master These two beings
were seldom seen apart. Green allowed
the witnesses to go away unexamlned, bu
the fact caused little surprise, it was though
to be in character with the man.
The cause of the State was argued will
much ability and force; judge, jury, an