The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-15
THE POOR LAWYER.

TIE POOR LAWYER.
81 had taken my breakfast and was wait
ing for my horse, when passing up an,
down the plaza saw a young girl seate,
near the window evidently visitor. Sh
was very pretty, with auburn hair and blu
eyes, and was dressed in white. had lef
Richmond, and at that time was too mucl
OF boy to be struck by female beauty. Sh
was so delicate and dainty looking, so diff
ferent from the hale, buxom, brown girls O
the woods-and then her dress! 1t wa
dazzling! Never was poor youth so take,
by surprise and suddenly bewitched. NJ,
heart yearned to know her, but how was
to accost her? l had grown wild in th'
woods, and had none of the habitudes O
polite life. Had she been like Peggy Pugh
or Sally Pigman, or any other of the leath
ern dressed bellies Of the Pigeon Roost,
should have approached her without dread
nay, had she been as fair us Shuts daugh
ters, with their looking glass lockets,
should not have hesitated; but that whit
dress, and those auburn ringlets, and blu,
eyes, and delicate looks, quite dauntet
while they fascinated me. don't know
what put it into my head, but thought al
at once would kiss her! 1t would take ;
long. acquaintance to arrive at such boon
but might seize upon it by sheer robbery
Nobody knew me here. lwould Just steI
in and snatch kiss, mount my horse and
ride oil. She would not be the worse of it
and that kiss-oh | should die if | did no
get it.
81 gave no time for the thought to cool
but entered the house and stepped light,
into the room. She was seated with hel
back to the door, looking out of the window
and did not hear my approach. tapped
her char, and as she turned and looked up
snatched rs sweet kiss us ever was
stolen, and vanished ir a twinkling. The
next moment | was on my horse. gailopine
homcward, my very heart tngling at what
had done.
latter variety of amusing adventures,
Rlngwood attempts the study of law, in an
obscure settlement in Kentucky, where he
delvcd night and day. Ralph pursues his
studies, occasionally arguing at debating
society, and at length became quite genius
and favoritc with the married ladies of the
village.
81 called to take tea one evening with
some Of those ladies. when to my surprise
and somewhat to my confusion, found her
with the identical bue-eyed little beauty
whom | bad so audaciously kissed. was
formally introduced to her, but neither Of
US betrayed any signs Of previous acquain-
tancc, except by our bushes and eyes.
"Whie tea was getting ready, the lady of
the house went out of the room to give
some directions, and left us alone. Heaven
and earth What situation! | would
have given all the pittance was worth to
have been in the deepest dell in the forest.
| felt the necessity of saving something in
excuse for my former rudeness could not
con ure up an idea, nor utter a word. Every
moment matters were growing worse. | felt
at one time tempted to do as had done
when robbed her of the kiss-bot from
the room and take to flight; but was chained
to the spot for really longcd to gain her
good will.
AT length plucked up courage On seeing
her equally confused with myself, and
walking desperately up to her, exclaimed,
Il have been trying to muster up something
to say to you, but cannot. feel that |
am in Il horrible scrape. Do have pity on
me, and help me out of it p
ga smile dlmpled upon her mouth, and
She looked up with sly but arch glance
of the eye, that expressed a volume of comic
recollcctions; we both broke into laugh,
and from that moment all went on WELL"
Passing over the delightful description
that succeeded, we proceed to the announce
ment of Ringwoods affair-the marriage
and settlement.
''Ihnt very autumn | was admitted to the
Bar, and a month afterwards was married
We were young couple, she not above
sixteen, not quite twenty, and both almost
without dollar in the world. The estab-
IiShment which we set up was suited to our
circumstances, a log house with two small
rooms, a bed, a table, half dozen chairs
half dozen knives and forks. half dozen
spoons-eyerythingb by half dozens; a little
delft ware, everything in a small way; We
were so poor, but then so happy.
"Wc had not been married many days whcr
a court was held in a county town, distan,
about twenty-five miles. 1t was necessary
for me to 20 there and put myself in the
way of business, but how was to go?
had expended all my means in our establish
mcnt, and then it was hard parting with my
wife SO soon after marriage. However, 20
must. Money must be made, or we should
have the wolf ut our door. | accordingly
borrowed a horse, and borrowed a little
cash, and rode off from my door, leaving
my wife standing at it and waving her hand
after me. Her last look. so sweet and
hccoming, went to my heart. felt rs il
| could 20 through fire and water for her
| arrived at the county town on cool DC.
tobcr evening. The inn was crowded, for
the court was to commence o. the following
day.
Il rI hp,, I 4,
stranger. and mere youugstrr, was to max
my way in such crowd and get business
The public room was throngcd with all the
idlers in the country who gathered together
on such occasions. There was some drink
ing going forward with great noise and Il
little alteration. just as entered the
room, saw a rough bully Of a fellow, who
was partly intoxicated, strike an Old man.
lie came staggering by me, and elbowcd
me as he passed. Immediately knocked
him down and kicked him into the street
| needed no better Introduction. In mo-
mcnt lad half dozen rough shakes OF
the hand and invitations to drink, and fOunG
myself quite parsonage in the rough as.
scmblage.
''The next morning court opcned-l took
nv seat among the lawyers, but felt rs {
mere spectator, not having any idea where
business was to come from. In the course
of the morning man was put to the bar
charged with passing counterfeit money
and was asked if he was ready for trial
lie answered in the negative. lie had beer
confined in place where there were nc
lawyers, and had not had an opportunity o
consulting any. lie was told to choose
counsel from the lawyers present, and bt
ready for trial the next day. lie LOOKED
around tho room and selected me. wa
thundcrStruck could not tell why he ha,
made such choice. ], n beardlcss young
ster, unpracticed at the bar: perfectly un
known. | felt difident yet delighted, anC
could have hugged the rascal.
''Bcfore leaving the court, he gave me on
hundred dollars in bag for a retaining fee
| could scarcely believe my senses, it seemed
like dream. The heaviness of the fec
spoke but lightly of the mans innocence
but that was no affair of mine. | was to b.
advocate not judge or jury. followed hin
to the jail, and learned all the particular
of the case. from thence | went to th
Clerks Office and took minutes Of the inIict
mcnt. | then examined the law on tn
subject, and prepared my brief in my room
! All this occupied me till midnight when