The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-10-25
As the reader guesses, the hand was


none other than Henry Coverdale,
who had commenced to put in opera
tion plan to gain the old mans consent
to his union with Susan.
Time wagged along. Old Lippe
was nightly pleased with his hired
hand, and often praised him to the
women folks. Indeed he looked with
a degree of complacency on his atten-
tions TO Susan, which began to be
marked, and Coverdale was on the
point of popping the question when
circumstance occurred which induced
him to postpone il for short season.
The circumstance was as follows:
The farm of Mr.. Lippe was part
of tract, the title of Which had for
merly been in dispute, though it was
in deed and in equity his.
Justsat this time one of those land
sharks that infest the country raked
up q worthless claim, and entered suit
for possession.
This proceeding was so obviously
absurd and rascally, that Mr.. Lippe
merely laughed. at il, although at the
advice of his hired hand he appeared
in court to refute the claim, suppos'
ing, however, that his bare word
would be sufficient to dispose of this
rascal of land shark. His hired
hand also concluded to lose day and
90 with him, IN order, he said, "to see
what a judge and court were like"
Old Mrs. Lippe and Susan accom-
panied them, tor the purpose of max
ing some purchases, as they could get
better bargains in ihe county town
than in Stanhope.
The conversation of the family had
placed Henry Coverdale in full pos
session OF the facts OF the case, and
he had manifested such an interest in
the affair, and appeared so anxious as
to the result, that the old man was
not surprised TO see him enter the bar
and take chair by his side. lie no.
ticed that his dame aud Susan were
among the spectators in the court
room.
The case was called, and the lawyer
for the plaintiff arose and made out
so plausible a statement that it enrag.
ed the old man dreadfully, so much
that he could scarcely contain himself
until the lawyer concluded.
The moment he sat down the old
man sprang to his feet.
"See here" exclaimed he, "here are
deeds, and every man in this court
room knows me we'll enough to know
that | never got them by rascali,ys or
claimed more than was mine.
"All this may be true, but the court
demands legal proof. relative to the
point at issue. | Iprcsume you have
an attorney, Mr.. Lippe.'
Never said word to n single one.
| never thought it worth while" said
the old man, perfectly aghast At the
turn matters were taking.
At this stage Lippe's hired hand
rose to his feet.
May it please the court, | viii un
der,ake the case for Mr. Lippe," said
he.
"A pretty case you'll make OF it,
said the old man, you can plow corn
4 wonderful sight better"
II assure Mr.. Lippe that Dir. Gov
erdale is perfectly competent TO the
task. said the judge, who was wei
acquainted with the young lawyer
and being ignorant of his present re
lations, fancled he snelt joke in the
action of the parties.
"Mebbe your honor is right" sale
Mr.. Lippe, but plague take me, i
you don't find him a likely sight bet
ter farm hand than a lawyer"
A general litter ran around the bar
The suit proceeded. The yount
attorney having previously mastered
the whole ground. entered into 1t
merits with such force and ciearnes
as astonished even The court. Blu
how shall we paint the astonishmen
OF old Mr. Lippe? 1t took him b.
storm. At every word by the youni
lawyer his eyes seemed to disten'
with asst onishment, until his amaze
ment was something 80 ridiculousl
APPALLING as to convulse the entire AT
dience with laughter. Peal after pea
resounded, and even the fat sides c
the judge, forgetting their gravit,
seemed ready to shake to pieces wit
merrisnent.
"Who-who-who are you" q
last gasped the old man.
"Sit down, Mr.. Lippe," said Cove
dale; II am attending TO the case"
| Then STOPPING down, he whispere
in his ear, Il am trying to earn you
Susan"
"She's yours" shouted the old MAJ
regardless of the by-standers of tn
court, which, having now an inklin
of the matter, gave loose rein to th
jubilant feelings. How Susan fel
however, can better be imagined tina
described. She blushed like one
her mothor's peonies, and hastily hi
her face in her veil.
When the merriment had subside
and old MIR. Lippe had secured h
equanimity the happy attorney pr
ceeded and finally made SO clear
, case for his involuntary client as eau
} ed the judge to dismiss the suit
: once.
The old man left the court in Il
; umph, and with his hired hand pr
ceeded forthwith to the clerks ofic
where license was procured. II
, judge gave the court recess and III
3 ted the happy pair in the bonds
3 matrimony.
s The other day, as Judge Coverda
was leaving home for Congress,
g said to his son:
: "Lippe Coverdale, get your lesso