The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-17
a Call to the Hesteru Bar.

dent at Wayslde Inn IN the eastern pafs 0
the State of -, then journeyed together fol
miles westward, and in the enjoyment Of eacl
: others company passed away many a long
hour in agreeable conversation. To me the
Z. whole scenery through which we passed was
: quite a novelty. Western life was strange t.
me-the rich rolling prairies, with the pictur
esque settlers log shanty, and the great ocean
like fields of Indian corn had in those days E
charm and freshness which only continued &C
quaintance with such objects can mar, Wher
at length we reached the little town in which
Bob resided, sad, sorrowful feeling crep
over me at the thought that | must part with
a pleasant companion, and journey on through
the great 'trackless wastes of the Far West
alone. Bob, however, would not permit me
to do so without first stopping a few days at
his home. On the second day of my visit he
suggested the propriety Of my remaining in
the town for good. It would be, l thought,
all right and snug enough if 1 conld only get
some employment-some occupation which
would furnish me with sufficient wherewilhal
to support somewhat primitive existence in
the pretty village in which | SO unexpectedly
found myself staying. Bob had a thousand
dollars in bis pocket, and, having studied law
for some years in the city, had returned to his
fathers habitation for the purpose of getting a
call, and starting in life as an attorney an bar
rister-at-aw. But there was nothing in so
small place for me to do, unless l opened a
whisky shop, dry goods store, sold groceries,
or dealt in vioins. True, there was an open
ing for any trade of this kind but in my case
there was "plentiful lack" of capital to
start with. The same objection applied to
farming. No; l must trudge on until, like
Mr.. Micawber, something else turned up.
Bob, l said, cit won't do, old boy.
must 60. Nothing for a fellow like ME to do
in this place.
Hang it !" answered Bob, " what a frisky
old wretch you are. Did you not tell me when
we were on the road that yo,f had once been
a clerk to an attorney in London?"
"What if did ?" replied.
: "Whf. just this, my boy" answered Bob,
to get call, and if you don't stop with me
and 60 shares in the trade, you are not half
the fellow took you for.''
! "But how on earth is it to be done, Bob 90
| said. "What in the world do know about
your State law? Why, it would be impossi-
BILE for me, an Englishman of only few years
residence in the State, to pass legal exami-
nation"
Downs laughed heartily, and said that l
was as green as ever, and if could only ex-
anime the contents of an oyster shell, and ar
que on the properties of "Bourbon," why,
! that was all fellow need trouble himself
about.
There was something that appeared to me
SO absurd about the thing that | could hardly
suppose my friend was doing more than jok-
ing. But when l really found out that he
was IN earnest, gave my consent to stay in
the town llttletlme longer, and 60 in for ex
animation. The next day found me busy por-
ing over an old edition of Blackstone, but l
was not allowed to read. Bob declared that
there would be quite time enough to study af-
ter we had started in the profession, and that
it was far better to shoulder a rifle, and pass
the time away shooting prairie chickens. So
three weeks slipped by pleasantly enough ; out
in the open air shooting in the daytime, and
at night sitting round Squire Downs bospita-
Bile hearth, smoking our pipes and chatting to
the young ladies Of the family. In fact, so
happy and gay had both of US been that we
almost forgot the future and only woke to
sense of,our situation the Sunday evening be-
fore the circuit court was to be opened in the .
town. Then I found that Bob was really in .
earnest, and that both Of US the next day were
to petition the court for leave to practice at
the GO barr
Early on the Monday morning we received
a visit from the leader of the circuit-the gen
tleman who had undertaken to present Bob's
petition. He was rather astonisked to find .
that my name was included, and put some
close questions TO me. But Bob satisfied him
by assuring the great man that [ was one who
had studied hard in England, had also been
under his tuition for some time, and that it
was absolutely necessary that we should both
be allowed to practice at once. If Mr. Gro
ier bad any scruplcs he did not show them to
US, but pocketed his fee !; and then invited us
to accompany him to the court.
The judicial tribunal struck me as having a
very odd appearance, my experience Of such
institutions having been confined entirely to
Westminster Hall and the Old Bailey, and I
was rather surprised to find that the court
has held in a school room. The jury box con-
sisted of sundry forms, raised one over the
other. The counsel were seated at small
leal table, Just underneath the school mistress
lesk, which was now converted into the seat
IF justice. There were no prisoners dock or
The learned judge was a sal
owlooking little man, who upon our entrance,
vas cutting off a "chunk " of tobacco, and
ooking hard at an officer who was reading !
loud the warrant under which the court was S
leld. Our business was taken first As soon 7
Is the commission had been read, up rose E
grave Mr.. Croker who bowed to his Honor, |
md then formally applied for us to be admit t
ed to practice at the bar.
"Who is Mr.. Dalton 2" said the little ,
Judge.
'Your HONOR said Mr.. Croker, ga gen s
leman who am given to understand has
cen great deal of practice in the English t
courts, and who for some time past has been +
studying with my young friend Mr.. Downs c
ooh - said the Judge. 81 shall appoint S
he usual committee of examination, of which 4
'ou, Mr.. Croker, will kindly take charge. Mr.. f
2earden will, perhaps, act with you. Let US
low 60 on with the usual business il
"Who is Rearden ?" l said to Bob. a
"a jolly coon,' replied that gentleman.
He can sing stunning song, tell capital a
ale, and dine better than any man l know.
low let us get out of this place. and see about ft
le examination SUPPER W