The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-10-01
A LAWYERS ADVENTURE.

law 10 Illinois, on pretty large circuit, was
called on one day in my Office by very etty
woman, who, not without tears told me that her
husband had been arrested For horse stealing.
She wished to retain me for the defence. [
asked her why she did not go to Judge R,
an ex-senator of the United States, whose Office
was in town. told her that was young
man at the bar, &c. She mournfully said that
be had asked retaining fee beyond her means;
besides, he did not want to touch the case, for
her husband was suspected of belonging TO an
extensive band of horse thieves and counter
feiters whose headquarters we're then at Moore 8
prairie.
| asked her to tell me the whole truth of the
matter, and if it was true that her husband did
belong to such band. a. f sa
"Ah, sir" said she, "a better man at heart
than my George never lived, but he likes cards
and drink, and am afraid they made him do
what be 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 stole it and
passed it to him." ...--.. .... -.s
didn't like the case. I knew there was
great dislike to the gang located where she
named, and feared to risk the case before a jury.
She seemed to observe my intention to refuse
the case, and bursted into tears.
| [ never could see woman weep without
feeling like weak fool myself If it hadn't
been eyes frightened with 'peary tears" I'd
never been caught in the lasso Of matrimony.
| My would-be client was pretty. The handker-
chief that hid her streaming eyes didn't hide
her red lips; aud her snowy bosom rose and fell
like white gull in gale of wind at sea-
took the case, and she gave me the particulars.
The gang, of which he was not member, had
persuaded him to take the horse. He knew it
was stolen, and, like fool, acknowledged it
when arrested. Worse still, he had trimmed
the horses name and tail so as to alter its ap-
pearance, and the opposition could prove it.
| The trial came on. | worked hard to get
! jury Of ignorant men, who had more heart than
brains; who if they could not fathom the depths
of an argument or follow the labrynthine mazes
of law could feel for young fellow in bad fix
and weeping, pretty wife, nearly heart-broken
and quite distracted.
Knowing the use Of "effect," I told her to
dress in deep mourning and bring her little
cberub of boy, only three years old, into court,
and sit as near to her husband as the officers
would let her. I tried the game once in nur-
der case, aud a weeping wife and sister made
jury render verdict against law, evidence, and
the Judges charge, and saved fellow that
ought to have been hung as high as Haman.
The prosecution opened very bitterly aud in
Weighed against thieves aud counterfeit ers, who
had made the land a terror to strange aud trav.
eers, and who had robbed every far mer in the
region of his finest horses. 1t introduced Wit
nesses and it proved all and more than feared
it would. The time came for me to rise for the
defence. Witnesses, had none. But 1 had
to make an effort, only hoping SO to interest the
jury as to secure recommendation to guberna-
tional clemency aud lig ght sentence.
So painted bis picture. young man en-
| terng into life, welded to an angel; beautiful
in person, possessing every noble attribute
kept tavern. There we're many guests; it was
not for him to inquire their business; they
dressed we'll, made large bills aud paid prompt
ly. At al unguarded hour, when he was TO-
sane with liquor, they urged upon him; he de-
waited from the path of rectitude. The demon
| alcohol reigned 10 his brain, and it his first
offence. Mercy pleaded for another chance to
save him from ruin. Justice did not require
| thai his young wife should go down sorrowing
to the grave and that the shadow and taunt of
felon father should cross the path of that
sweet child. Oh, how earnestly did plead for
them! The woman wept; the husband did the
same; the jury looked melting. If could
have had the closing speech he would have been
cleared; but the prosecution had the close, and
threw ice on the fire kindled. But they did
uUt uulle put ~ JUL
The Judge charged according to law and evi
dence, but evidently leaned on the side of
mercy, The jury found a verdict of guilty, but
unanimously recommended the prisoner to the
mercy of the court. My client was sentenced
to the shortest Imprisonment the court was en-
powered to give, aud both jury and court signed
petition to the Governor for an unconditional
pardon, which has since been kindly granted,
but not before the following interesting incident
occurred
Some three months after this, l received an
account for collection from wholesale house 10
New York. The parties to collect from were
lard ones; but they had property, and before
they had idea of the trap laid, bad the
property, which they about to assign un-
der attachment. Finding that I was a neck
ahead and bound to win, they 'caved in" and
forked over So, ,594 Is (per memorandum book
in good money. They lived in Shawneetown,
about thrty-fve or forty miles southeast of
Moores prairie. received the funds just after
the bank opened, but other business detained
me until after dinner then started Cor
c., intending to go as far as the village of
Mount Vernon that night
| had gone along ten or twelve miles, when
noticed splendid team of horses attached to a
light wagon, 10 which were seated four men,
evidently of the high strung order They swept
past me as if to show me how easily they could
do it. They shortened in, and allowed me to
come up with them, aud asked me TO 'wet," or,
in other words, diminish the jug Of old rye they
had aboard; but excused myself with the plea
that had plenty on board They asked me
how far | was going. told them as far as
Mouat Vernon, if my horse didn't tire out
They mentioned pleasant tavern ten or twelve
miles ahead as q nice stopping place, and drove on.