The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-02
The Volunteer Counsel.
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

within the past ten years we have read
| the following graphic sketch several times, and
we re-publish it to give others an opportunity to
read it-ED DEM.1
John Taylor was licensed when youth Of
| twenty-one, to practice at the Bar of this city.
lie was poor, but we'll educated, and possessed
extraordinary genius. The Graces of his person
combined with the superiority of his intellect,
| enabled him to win the hand of fashionable
beauty. Twelve months afterwards, the husband
was employed by wealthy firm of the city, to
90 mission as land agent to the West. As
IA heavy salary was offered, Taylor bade farewell
to his wife and infant son. He wrote back every
week, but received not line in answer. Six
months elapsed when he received letter from
his employees which explained ALL Shortly after
his departure for the West, his wife and her
father removed to Mississippi: There she inp-
mediately obtained divorce by an act of the
Legislature, and married again forthwith, and
to complete the climax of base cruelty and wrong
had the name of Taylor's son changed to Marks
that Of her second matrimonial partner.
This perfdity rendered Taylor insane His
career from that period became eccentric in the
first degree. 1T last fever carried him eff at
comparatively early age.
At an early hour on the 9th of April, 1910
the court house in Clarksville Texas. was filled
to overfowing. Save in the war times past,
there had never been such a gathering in the
Red River county, while the strong feeling ap-
parent on every flushed face will sufficiently ex-
plain the matter.
At the close of 1886, George Hopkins, one of
the wealthiest planters and most influential men
in Northern Texas. offered a gross insult to Mary
Elliston, the young and beautiful wife Of his
chief overseer. The husband threatened to chas-
tise him for the outrage; whereupon he loaded
his gun, went to ElstOn's house and shot him
in his own door. The murderer was arrested and
bailed to answer the charge.
This occurrence produced immense excite
ment, and the murderer, in order to turn the
tide Of the popular opinion or to mitigate the
general wrath that was violent against him, cir
culated reports infamously prejudicial to the
character Of the woman who had suffered such
cruel wrong at his hands Thus two cases. one
criminal and the other civil, and both out of the
same tragedy, were pending in the April Circuit
Court for 1870
The interest naturally felt by the community
as to the issues became far deeper when it was
known that Ashley and Pike Of Arkansas, and
the celebrated Prentiss, of New Orleans, each
with enormous fees, had been retained by Hop
Eins for his defence.
The trial for the Indictment Of murder ended
on the sth Of April with the acquittal of Hop
kns. Such result might have been foreseen,
by comparing the talents of the council engaged
on either side. The Texas lawyers were utterly
overwhelmed by the arguments and superior
eloquence of their distinguished opponents. 1t
was fight as Of dwarf against giants
The slander suit was set for the 9th and the
throng of spectators grew in numbers and in ex-
element. And what may seem strange. the cur
rent of public sentiment now ran decidedly for
Hopkins. His money had purchased perjured
witnesses who served most efficiently his power
full advocates. Indeed, so triumphant had been
the success of the previous day that when the
SANDER suit was called, Mary Elliston was left
without an attorney-they had all withdrawn.
The pigmy pettifoggers dare not brave again
the sharp wit Of Pike, and the scathing thunder
of Prentiss.
Have you no council?" inquired Judge Mills
of the plaintiff.
"No, sir, they have all deserted me and am
too poor to employ any more" said Mary, burst
ing into tears.
In such a case, will there not some chivalrous
member of the profession volunteer? inquired
the Judge, elancin- anxious y around the bar.
Judge NJ. repeated the question.
Il will, your honor" exclaimed a voice from
the thickest part of the crowd-stuated behind
the bar.
At the tones Of the voice many started half
from their seats and not a heart in that i'm
mense crowd but which beat something quicker
it SO unearthly, clear, ringing, soft and
mournful.
The first sensation however, was changed to
general laughter, when tall gaunt spectral
figure that nobody present remembered having
seen before, elbowed his way through the crowd
and placed himself within the bar. His appear
ance was a problem to the sphynx himself. His
high, pale brow, and small nervously twitchins
face seemed alive with the concentrated essence
and cream of genius but then his infantile blue
eyes hardly visible beneath their massive arches,
looked dim, dreamy. almost unconscious, and his
clothing was so shabby that the court hesitated
to let the case proceed under his management.
Has your name been entered upon the rolls
of the State 2" demanded Judge Mills, suspi-
ciously.
1T is immaterial about my name being upon
your rolls" answered the stranger, his thin lips
curling up into fendsh sneer-''I may be al
lowed to appear once by the courtesy of the court
and bar. Here is my license from the highest
tribunal in America" handing Judge Mills
broad parchment. The trial Immediately went
on.
In the examination of witnesses, the stranger
evnccd but little ingenuity, as was commonly
thought He suffered each to tell his own story
without interruption, though he eontrived to
make each tell it over two or three times. lie
put few cross questions, which with keen wit
nesses only serve to correct mistakes, and no
notes, which in mighty memories always tends to
Iayr md nd &C