The national Republican., 1860-12-08
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL.

Marshall was noted for extreme plainness of
person and address, and a childlike simplicity
Of character. His carelessness of his personal
attire, in early life particularly, is well known,
and on one occasion, las stated in the Literary
Messenger,) while travelling, occasioned his
being refused admittance into public house.
On the occasion which we are now to relate, It
caused him the loss Of generous fee.' Mar.
shall, when just rising on the professional lad
der, was one morning stroling through the
streets Of Richmond, attired in plain linen
roundabout and shorts, with his hat under his
arm, from which he was eating cherries, when
he stopped on the porch OF the Eagle Hotel, in.
dulged in some little pleasantly with the land.
lord, and passed on. Mr.. p, an elderly gen.
tleman from the country, then present, who had
a case coming on before the Court af Appeals,
was referred by the landlord 10 Marshall, as the
best advocate for him to employ but the care
less, languid air Of the young lawyer had so
prejudiced Mr.. p. that he refused to engage
him. On entering court, Mr.. p. was a second
time referred to him by the clerk of the court,
and q second time be declined. At this mo-
ment entered Mr.. ", venerable looking legal
gentleman, in powdered wig and black coat,
whose digni6ed appearance produced such an
impression upon Mr.. p, that he at once en-.
gagged him. In the first case which came on,
Marshall and Mr.. V. both addressed the court.
The vast inferiority Of his advocate was SO
apparent, that, at the close of the case, Mr.. P.
introduced himself to young Marshall, frankly
stated the prejudice which had caused him, in
opposition 70 advice, to employ Mr.. "; that he
extremely regretted his error, but knew not how
to remedy it. He had come into the city with
one hundred dollars, as his lawyers fee, which
he had paid, and had but FIVE left, which, if Mr..
Marshall chose, he would cheerfuly give him
for assisting in the case. Marshall, pleased
with the incident, accepted the offer; not how
ever, without passing a sly joke at the omnipo.
tence Of . powdered wig and black coat. Mar
shall was accustomed to go to market, and fre.
quently unattended. Nothing was more usual
than to see him returning at sunrise, with
poultry in one hand and vegetables in the
other.
On one of these occasions, would.be fash.
ionable young man from the North, who had
recently removed to Richmond, was swearing
violently because he could hire no one to take
home his turkey. Marshall stepped up and,
ascertsining Of him where he lived, replied,
"That is my way, and will take it for you
When arrived at his dwelling, the young man
inquired, "What shall l pay your" 80, moth.
ing" was the rejoinder, you are welcome; it
was on my way, and no trouble" "Who is
that polite old gentleman who brought home
my turkey for me 2" inquired the other of a
bystander, as Marshall stepped away. "That,"
replied be, lis John Marshall, Chief Justice Of
the United States" The young man, astouuded,
exclaimed, why did he bring home my tur.
key?" "To give you a severe reprimand, and
teach you to attend to your own business" was
the answer.