The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-06
A Lawyers Adventure.

was in the town. I told her was young man at the
/ bar &c She mournfuy said that he had asked a re-
tanning fee beyond her means; besides he did
to touch the case, for her husband suspected of
belonging to an extensive band of thieves and coun-
erfeiters whose headquarters were Moores prairie
asked her to tell the whole truth of the matter
and if it was that her husband did belong such
a band
e'Ah, sir said She "a better man at heart than my
George never lived but he liked cards and drink and
am afraid they made him do what he never would have
done if lie had not drank fear il be proved that
he had the horse he didn't steal il another stole and
i pas, ed it to him )"
/ didn't like the case. knew that there was great
dislike to the gang located where she named and feared
10 risk the case before jury She seemed observe
my intention TO refuse the and burst into tears
never could stand awomau weep without feel
ing like a weak fool myself. If it hadn't been eyes
Frightened by peary tears (blast the poet that made
them come into fashion by prasing emil Idneyer been
caught in the lisso OF matrimony Ny would-be client
was pretty. The handkerchief that hid her streaming
eyes didn't hide her ripe lips andher snowy DO ON rose
and fell like white gull in gale Of wind at sea
i took the case and she gave me the particulars
The gang, Of which he was net member, had per-
suaded him take the horse. He knew that the horse
stolen, and like fool acknowledged it when be was
arrested Worse STILL he had trimmed the horses tail
and name to alter its appearance, and the opposition
could prove it.
The trial came on worked hard to get jury OF
ignorant men, WHO ndI more IedFl tdIl Dlall-6U II
they could not athom the depths Of argument follow
the labyrthine nazes Of law could feel tor Young
fellow in bad fix, weeping, pretty wife, nearly heart
broken and quite distracted.
Knowing the use Of effect l told her to dress in
deep mourning and bring her little cheruh OF bow
only three years old into court and sit near her hus
band the officer would let hsr tried that game in
a murder case and weeping wife and sister made a
jury render verdict against law, evidence and the
judges charge and fellow that ought to have been
hung as high as hannah.
The pi osceution opened very bitterly aud inveghed
against thieves and counterleers who had made the
land to strangers and travellers, and who had
robbed every farmer in the region of his finest horses
1t introduced Witnesses and proved all and more than
feared it would. The time for me to rise for the
defence. Witnesses, bad none. Bat determined tc
make effort only hoping to interest the jury to
secure recommendation to gubernatorial cemency aud
a light sentence.
So painted his picture. A young man entering into
life welded to angel beautiful in person, possessing
every noble and gentle attribute Temptation lay be,
fore and all around him. He kept tavern. Guests
there many it not for him to inquire into thet
business they dressed well made large bills and paid
promptly. At an unguarded hour, when he was insane
with liquor they urged upon him; he deviated from The
path Of rectitudc. The demon alcohol reigned in hi:
BRAIN and his offence Mercy pleaded fer another
chance to save him from ruin Justice did not require
that this young wife should go down s0rr0wng to the
grave and that the shadow and taunt OF tGlon father
should cross the path of that sweet child. o. how ear
nestly did Plead for them. The woman wept; the hus
band did the sanc the judge hdgeted and rubbed hi:
eyes; the jury looked melting II could have had tht
closing argument lie would have been cleared but the
prosecution had the close and threw ceon the fire hat
kiudied But they did not put it quite out.
The judge charged according to law and evidence, bu
evidently leaned on the side OF mercy The jury ren
dered verdict Of guilty, but unanimously recommended
the prisoner othe mercy of the court Ny client wa
mod n
empowered to give, and both jury and court signed
petition TO the governor for unconditional pardon
which has since been granted but notbefore the follow
ing incident occurred;
Some three months after this / received an accoun
for collection from wholesale house in New York
The parties TO collect from hard ones but they hat
property and before they had an idea of tie trap laid
had the property, which they about TO assigr
before they broke under attachment Finding ! was !
neck ahead and bound to win, they 'cayedR, and they
tOrked over S3,794 Is tper memorandum book in gooC
money. They lived in Shawnetown about thirt y-tve o
forty miles southeast Of Moore's prairie | received
the funds just after the bank opening but other business
detained me till after dinner then started for G.,
intending to go far the village Of Mount Vernon
that night.
l had gone ten or twelve miles, when l noticed
splendid team Of double horses, attached to a ligh
wagon IN which seated four men, evidently of The
high strung order. They swept past if to show how
easily they could do it. They shortened in and allowed
me TO up with them, and hailug to wet or IL
other words diminish the contents of Jug of old rye
they had aboard, but | excused myself with the plea
that bad plenty on board They asked me how far
was going. told them as far as Mount Vernon, if my
horse didn't tire out They mentioned pleasant tavern
ten twelve miles ahead a nice stopping place, anC
then drove on.
did not Ike the looks Of those fellows nor their ac
tons But was bound to go ahead. had brace Of
reyolyers and a nice knife; my money not in va
lse or my sulky but in my belt around my body.
drove slow, in hopes they would 60 on and should
see them no more. Il was nearly dark when saw
tavern sign ahead At the same time saw their wagon
standing before the door would have passed on but
my horse needed rest. | halted up and woman came
10 the door She turned pale sheet when she
saw me. She did not speak, but with meaning look
she put her finger on her lips and beckoued me in sac
was the wife Of my late client.
When entered, the party recognised me, and hailed
me old travelling friend, and asked me to drink
I respectfully declined to do SO.
''But you shall drink fight" said the noisiest o
the party.
''just as you please drink shall not" said l. pur
posely showing the butt of Colt which kicks six times
/ in rapid succession.
The others interposed, and very easily quieted my
opponent One offered me cigar, which should not
have received but Il sign from the woman induced me
10 accept it. She advanced and proffeFed me light
and in doing slipped note ntomy hand, which she
must have written the moment before, with pencil.
/ Never shall forget the words--they were:
'peware-they are members Of the gang. They
mean to rob and murder you Leave soon. will
manage to detain them"
did not feel comfortable just then, but tried to look
So
''Havc you any room to put up my horse?" asked,
turning to the woman
'WRat, are you not going on to-night2' asked one
\ of the men, I'VE are
Mo- said l. Il shall stay here tonight
''We'l all stay, then, guess, and make night OF
4 itn said one of the cut-throats.
You'll have to put up your own horse-herc's Ian
/ tern, said the
Il am used to that said l. "Gentlemen excuse ne
minute, and I Join you in a drink when con in
Good on your head! More whi8key old gal, shouted
they.
1 went out and glanced at their wagon; it was old
fashioned and linch-pins secured the wheels To take
my knife and prize from the fore and hind wheels
was but the work of a minute The road lay down a
steep bill, but my lantern lighted me somewhat
had hardly got under full headway, when heard a
veil from the purity had unceremonieuslY left.
put whip to my horse Tire next moment they started
threw my light away and left my horse to pick hi;
way a moment later | heard crash-a horrible
shrek The wheels were off Then ctme the rush o
the horse tearing along with wreck Of the wagon
Finally they seemed fetch up in the weeds One OF
two shrieks heard as swept on, leaving them far be