Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-08-11
TALES & SKETCHES.
A LAWYERS ADVENTURES.

About three or four years ago, more or
less, was practising law in Illinois, in
pretty large circuit. was called on one
day at my office at the town of c., by q
very pretty woman, who, not without tears,
told me that her husband had been arrested
for horse stealing. She wished to retain me
on the defense. l asked her why she did
not go to Judge B., an ex Senator of the
United States, whose office was in the same
town. told her that was u young man
at the bar, &c. She mournfully said that he
had asked a retaining fee above her means
and besides did not want to touch the case,
for her husband was suspected of belonging
to an extensive band of horse thieves and
counterfeiters whose headquarters were on
Moore's prairie.
asked her to tell mo the whole truth of
the matter, and if it was true that her hus-
band did belong to such band
"Ah sir" said she, "a better man at heart
than my George never lived but he liked
cards and drink, and an afraid they made
HIM do what he never would have done if
he had not drank. fear it can be proved
that he had the horse; he didn't steal it ;
another did and passed it to him."
didn't like the case. knew that there
was great dislike to the gang located where
a jury. She seemed to observe my intention
to refuse the case and burst into tears.
never could see woman weep without
feeling like weak fool myself If hadn't
been for eyes frightened by pearly teare,
(blast the poet that made them come into
fashion by praising them), I'd never been
caught in the lasso of matrimony. And my
woud-be client was pretty. The banker
chief that hid her streaming eyes didn't hide
her ripe lips, and her snowy bosom rose and
fell like white gull in a gale of wind at
sea. | took the case and she gave mo the
particulars.
The gang, of which he was not member,
persuaded him to take the horse. He knew
the horse was stolen, and like q fool ac-
knowledged it when he was arrested. Worse
still, he trimmed the horses name and tail
to alter his appearance, and the opposition
could prove it.
The trial came on. tried hard to get q
| jury Of ignorant men, who had more heart
than brains; who if they could not fathom
the depths Of argument, or follow the laby
rinthine mazes of the law, could feel for Q
young fellow in bad fix, weeping, pretty
wife, nearly broken hearted, and quite dis
tracted. Knowing the use of "effect," tolt
her to dress in deep mourning, and bring
her little cherub of boy, only three year
old, into court, and sit as near her husband
as the officer would let her. tried th,
| game once in a murder case, and weeping
wife and sister made jury render verdic
against law, evidence aud the judges charge
and saved fellow that ought to have beer
hung higher than Haman.
The prosecution entered very bitterly IN
Weighed against thieves and counterfeiters
who had made the land a terror Il
strangers and travellers, and who rob
bed every farmer in that region of thei
finest horses. II introduced witnesses an,
proved all and more than feared 1t would
The time came for me to rise for the dc
fensc Witnesses had none. But detei
mined to make an effort, only hoping so +
interest the jury as TO secure a recommends
tion to gubernatorial olemency and ligh
sentence. So / painted this picture:
l A young man entered into life, welded a
angel, beautiful ia person, possessing ever
noble and gentle attribute. Temptation wa
before and all around him. He kept ta'
ern. Guests there were many; it was nc
for him to inquire into their business; the
were we'll dressed made large bills an
4 paid promptly. At an ungusrded hou
when he was insane with the liquor the
4 had urged upon him, he had deviated erol
the path of rectitude. The demon of alcoh
: had reigned in his brain, aud it was his fir
|. offense Mercy pleaded for another cham
. to save him from ruin. Justice did not r
quir that his young wife should 60 dow
sorrying to the grave, and that the shade
:, aud disgrace and taunt of telon faith
# should cross the path of that sweet chill
o, how earnestly did plead for them. I'll
= woman went. the husband did the sRmt
y the judge 6dgetted and rubbed bis eyes; =
jury looked melting. # Icould have =
closing speech he would have been olsares