The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-15
:.--....u- ..@ ~ 50 90 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA, SATURDAY, Is, 1859.

not allay the fever heat that ragged within
l returned to breakfast, but could not eat
A single cup of coffee formed the repast
it was time to 60 to court, and went there
with throbbing heart. believe if it had
not been for the thoughts Of my dear little
wife in her lonely house, should have
given back the man his dollars, and reln-
quished the case. took my seat, looking,
am convinced, more Ike cuiprit than
the rogue was to defend.
''When the time came for me to speak,
my heart died within me. l arose en-
barrassed and dismaycd, and stammered in
opening the case. l went on from bad to
worse, and felt as if was going down.
just then the public prosecutor, a man Of
talents, but somewhat rough in his practice,
made sarcastic remark on something's
said. 1t was like an electric spark, and ran
tingling through every vein in my body. In
an instant my diflidence WAS gone; my whole
spirit was in arms-l answered with prompt
ness, for l felt the cruelty Of such an attack
upon a novice in my situation. The prose-
cutor made kind of apology. This for a
man of his redoubted powers, was vast
concession. l renewed my argument with
fearful growl, carried my case trium-
pbantly, and the man was acquitted.
''1his was the making of me. Everybody
was curious to know who this new lawyer
was that had SO suddenly risen among them
and bearded the Attorney General in the
onset. The story of my debut at the inn
on the preceding evening when knocked
down a bully and kicked him out Of doors
for striking an old man, was circulated with
favorable exaggeration. Even my beardless
chin and juvenile countenance was in my
favor, for the people gave me far more
credit than deserved. The chance busi-
ness which occurs in our courts came
thronging upon me. was repeatedly en-
ployed in other cases, and by Saturday
night, when the court closed, | found my
self with hundred and fifty dollars in sill
yer, three hundred dollars in notes, and
horse that afterwards sold for two hum
dred dollars more.
"Never did a miser gloat more on his
money and with more delight. had locked
the door of my room, piled the money in Il
heap on the table, walked round it, sat with
my elbows on the table, and my chin upon
ing of the money: No. was thinking of
my little wife at home.
"Another slecpless night ensued, but
Nuue u hiSht VI SOiueH IdHCleS anu Splcuulu
air. AS soon rs morning dawned, | was up
and mounted the borrowed horse with whom
| had come to court, and led the other which
had received as 4 fee. All the way was
delightins myself with the thought of sur
prise had in store for my wife, for both of
us had expected that should spend all the
money had borrowed, and return in debt.
"Our meeting was joyous, as you may
suppose: but played the part of the Indian
hunter, who, when he returns from the
chase, never for 4 while speaks of his sue
cess. She had prepared II rustic meal for
me, and while was getting ready, seated
myself at an old fashioned desk in the cor
ner, and began to count over my money and
put it away. She came to me before had
finished, and asked me who had collected
the money for.
"For myself, to besure,' replied I, with
affected coolness; 81 made it at court.''
"She looked at me moment in the face
incredulously. tried to keep my coun-
ance and play the Indian, but it would not
do. My muscles began to twitch, my feel
ings all at once gave way: | caught her in
my arms, laughed, cried and danced about
the room like crazy man. From that time
forward we never wanted money,